An excellent sparkling wine can easily be likened to a party in your mouth and is often the libation of choice to mark some of life's greatest celebrations. Who doesn't remember a glass of classic champagne, the most popular sparkling wine, at a wedding or other special occasion?
Sparkling wines get their pizzazz from carbon dioxide, whether produced naturally through fermentation or through carbon dioxide injection. Initially, in France's Champagne region, this effervescence was seen as an undesirable quality, but as bottles were exported to Britain, the English began to enjoy the bubbling, sparkling nature of this most famous French wine. Today, the term champagne refers exclusively to the variety produced in Champagne, France. Typically, sparkling wines are white or rose, but several Italian and Australian regions produce a red sparkling wine.
During the production process, several aspects are important to readying the grapes for the sparkling winemaking process. Because of the high acid levels needed, grapes are harvested early and by hand. Fermentation follows the normal process after which a unique cuvee is created, usually with grapes harvested from different vineyards, distinct varieties and diverse vintages. Secondary fermentation is what adds a desirable bubbly signature to sparkling wine, along with the festive pop of the cork.
Common varieties of sparkling include France's Champagne (clearly the most popular) followed by Spain's Cava, Italy's Prosecco and Portugal's Espumante. Restaurants typically pair Spain's Cava varieties with Spanish tapas such as calamari, garlic shrimp, Moorish lamb skewers, 5j Bellota ham and artisanal cheese varieties.
Whether you're still toasting the New Year, planning a wedding or simply enjoying a memorable occasion, sparkling wine can add an exuberant zing to your celebration of life.
During the production process, several aspects are important to readying the grapes for the sparkling winemaking process. Because of the high acid levels needed, grapes are harvested early and by hand. Fermentation follows the normal process after which a unique cuvee is created, usually with grapes harvested from different vineyards, distinct varieties and diverse vintages. Secondary fermentation is what adds a desirable bubbly signature to sparkling wine, along with the festive pop of the cork.
Common varieties of sparkling include France's Champagne (clearly the most popular) followed by Spain's Cava, Italy's Prosecco and Portugal's Espumante. Restaurants typically pair Spain's Cava varieties with Spanish tapas such as calamari, garlic shrimp, Moorish lamb skewers, 5j Bellota ham and artisanal cheese varieties.
Whether you're still toasting the New Year, planning a wedding or simply enjoying a memorable occasion, sparkling wine can add an exuberant zing to your celebration of life.