Sparkling wine

Sparkling Wine

The defining characteristic of a sparkling wine is the bubbles, but the taste can vary hugely depending on where it's made and the processes used to make it.

Wines Featured

Tesco Finest Prosecco Doc, £8.50

Made from the Glera grape in the Veneto region of Italy.

Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne, £21

Made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes in the Champagne region of France.

Wiston Estate Cuvée 2017, £42

Made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes in West Sussex in England.

Sparkling Wine

One of the main differences when it comes to sparkling wine is whether the wine is aged in the bottle or a tank.

Prosecco is fermented for the second time in the tank, and this creates a much lighter and frothier wine.

Champagne has to be made using a certain combination of grapes in the Champagne region of Northern France, and also has to be fermented for the second time in the bottle. This imparts a very different style of sparkling wine, as it's left to age on its lees for a creamy and distinct toasty character.

If you're looking for something affordable that's close to the taste of Champagne, try Cremant. It's French sparkling wine that's made in the same way as Champagne, but it's produced outside of the Champagne region in places such as Burgundy and Alsace.

Another bottle-fermented sparkling wine is Cava, which is mostly made near Barcelona in Spain. It's not aged for as long as Champagne – normally a year, on average. The climate is a lot warmer, so the fruit characteristics in Cava tend to be riper.

English sparkling wine is definitely well worth keeping an eye out for. Traditionally, our climate has been too cold to make wine. However, as the temperatures have risen over the last 20 years, grapes are now able to ripen to the desirable point for winemaking. England also has a similar chalky soil to Champagne in France, which suits the grapes used to make sparkling wine.

Lesser-Known Sparkling Wines

South Africa uses the MCC method, or Méthode Cap Classique, which means it's made in the same traditional way as Champagne and is aged for the second time in the bottle.

Look out for sparkling wine that's made in cool spots, as this helps to preserve the fresh taste of the grapes. Tasmania is a great example and offers some great sparkling wines.

Choosing the Right Fizz for the Right Occasion

For an inexpensive option that everyone will love, Prosecco is the way to go. It might not be the most memorable, but it will definitely be a crowd-pleaser. Just make sure you serve it really cold to balance the sweetness.

If you're after something a little more special that people will remember, Cremant is a great option. It's similar in style to Champagne, and will taste really elegant but is much more affordable.

A sparkling wine that's really jolly, ripe and fruity is Cava. In recent years, its quality has greatly improved, so if you haven't tasted it in a while, I would definitely recommend trying it again. Just like Prosecco, it should always be served nice and cold.

To push the boat out and impress your guests, English sparkling wine is a real treat. It's on the more expensive side, but it's perfect for a special occasion.

Franciacorta and Pignoletto

Another option that strikes an interesting balance between Prosecco and Champagne is Franciacorta from Italy. It's bottle-fermented and is a great blend of fruitiness and toastiness. While it's not always easy to find, it's definitely one to look out for.

Sparkling Pecorino is another wine from Italy that's made in the same way as Prosecco but tastes different thanks to the different grape varieties used to make it.

Sparkling Pignoletto is also made in the same way as Prosecco, but is grown a little further south and tends to have a fruity character of pear and tastes a little drier.

Serving Your Sparkling Wines

It's important to serve sparkling wine chilled, as any warmth leads it to lose its freshness – you want it to be crisp and cold to preserve the freshness.

To preserve the bubbles, the most important thing is to keep it in the fridge. A sparkling wine stopper is a great way to maintain flavour and fizz.

Your Assignment

If Prosecco is your go-to at a party, why not try something a little different? Taste a Prosecco alongside a Cremant and a sparkling Pignoletto to see whether your mind can be changed…