Whether you have tried it or not, everybody has heard of champagne. But do you know the difference between champagne and a sparkling wine? And have you heard of online champagne clubs?
There is a wide range of online wine clubs available in the US, many of which have a huge variety of wines to suit all tastes. However, if you are more interested in champagne specifically, there are champagne clubs just for this. Club Bubbly is just one example of such clubs. For a very reasonable price (champagne does not always have to be extremely expensive) Club Bubbly will send you three or six bi-monthly bottles of the best champagne online, unique in style and region, and specifically chosen to be tailored to your previously stated interest.
This is just one hot pick of many websites, and it is worth shopping around to find the best deal for you.
What is the Difference Between Sparkling Wine and Champagne?
While some people may find this confusing, there is actually a relatively straightforward answer. Champagne is a type of sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is champagne. Champagne should only be referred to as such when it comes from the region of Champagne, France (on the outskirts of Paris). What’s more, champagne is only able to be made using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or Pinot Meunier.
Due to its acclaim, it can be hard for some people to accept, but the way to think of Champagne is in terms of a physical location, rather than a style of making wine.
How to Make Sparkling Wine
In order to create sparkling wine one must take the formula for fermentation (yeast plus sugar resulting in alcohol and CO2) but then refrain from allowing the ensuing gas to escape. Fermenting wine in a sealed setting causes the CO2 to return back into the wine, resulting in the formation of bubbles after the bottle is opened.
Other Types of Sparkling Wine
In recent years, sparkling wine outside of Champagne has exploded in popularity, and wine producers from all over the world have attempted to profit from this recent change in tastes. Here are three popular types of bubbly other than champagne.
- Prosecco – Italian fruity sparkling wine with large bubbles, which aid its use as a cocktail ingredient
- Sekt – German and Austrian sparkling wine, similar to Presseco, with great taste and value
- Cava – Very famous and popular Spanish sparkling wine, with small bubbles and a fresh creamy taste
Three Signs of a Good Sparkling Wine
- It’s Sparkling – The wine must, of course, be sparkling, ideally with tiny bubbles
- It’s Fresh – A sparkling wine is always fruity, but not always sweet. It should, however, feel fresh and energetic upon drinking
- Acidic – A good sparkling wine will be acidic, which should give the wine a sharp and pervading taste
The Bottom Line
So, whether you prefer champagne or another type of sparkling wine, be sure to choose one of good quality. Sparkling wine is great for pairing with a wide range of foods, drunk morning, noon, and night, and can be the perfect addition to a meal. If you’re interested, but feel out of your depth, try signing up to an online club. Here you can taste various types of sparkling wine and explore which one is best for you.