Sparkling Wine From California
Bubbly made in California is called sparkling wine. Sparkling wines are typically made of a blend of varieties, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir being the most popular. California’s warm climate means that grapes can ripen perfectly year after year, so the quality and consistency or these bubblies are excellent. This history of making sparkling wine in California is quite interesting. It can be traced to the Sonoma Valley where, in 1892, the Korbel brothers began producing sparkling wine using the traditional French methods. As the wines became more popular, many French Champagne houses came to set up wineries in the California. These include Moët et Chandon’s Domaine Chandon, Louis Roederer’s Roederer Estate, and Taittinger’s Domaine Carneros. The range of colors and styles in California are quite remarkable and well worth exploring!
Prosecco and Asti from Italy
Italy produces many different styles of sparkling wine. Prosecco is one of the most well known of all sparkling wine. Typically it contains less alcohol than champagne and is very aromatic, with notes of apples, jasmine and apricots. The name comes from the grapes used to make this sparkling wine. The only regions that produce Prosecco include Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. This sparkling wine has become famous as the main ingredient of the Bellini cocktail. Asti is a sparkling white Italian wine that comes from the region of Asti in Piedmont, located in the north of Italy. Made from the Moscato Bianco grape, it is sweet and low in alcohol. Yet despite its sweetness, Asti has enough acidity to be versatile in food and wine pairings. Flavors include ripe citrus, lemon, green apple, and grapefruit.
Cava from Spain
Cava is Spain’s famous medium-bodied sparkling wine. It hails from the Penedes region of northeast Spain. It is perhaps the world’s best value in the sparkling wine category. Cava is made by using the same method that the French utilize in making Champagne. The major cava brands are familiar names and include Freixenet, Segura Viudas, Cristalino, among others. These wines are crafted using indigenous grape varieties you’ve likely never even heard of! It may be white (blanco) or rosé (rosado). The flavors of Spain’s Cavas can range from floral to dry apples and even earthy mushroom. Cava is a very versatile wine style, perfect for pairing with a wide variety of dishes, including ham, fried fish, sushi, tapas and even barbecue.
ROLE OF VINTAGE Champagne and sparkling wines are also categorized as "vintage" or "non-vintage" (NV on the label) meaning they either come from a single year or are a blend of several different years. The "vintage" Champagnes are typically pricier, as the non-vintage Champagne and sparkling wines make up the majority of the market.
