Celebrating with a Bubbly

                A holiday celebration or romantic evening would not be complete without the “pop” of a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine. Beautiful, elegant and affordable, a bottle of bubbly makes that special occasion sparkle. 

                Although most people refer to anything bubbly as champagne, true champagne is only produced in the Champagne region of France. Any bubbly made outside of the champagne region should be referred to as a sparkling wine. 

                There are two methods used in making champagne and sparkling wines. The first is the methode champenoise, where the bubbles are formed in the bottle. This technique can take several years and has many steps involved before the bottle of champagne is ready.

                The second method, called charmat, involves putting “still” wine into large pressure tanks, adding sugar and yeast and allowing fermentation to occur. The process of fermentation creates carbon dioxide and forms the “bubbles.”  After filtration, the wine is adjusted for sweetness and bottled. Since the process is relatively quick, it allows many winemakers to sell their sparkling wines at reasonable prices. 

                Here is some basic, yet essential, information to help you in your next purchase of a champagne or sparkling wine:

• Champagnes are always made using the following grape varietals, either by themselves or blended: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Blanc de blanc (white from white) refers to champagne made from the Chardonnay grape.  Blanc de noir (white from red) refers to champagne made from the Pinot Noir grape with Pinot Meunier sometimes blended in.

• A sparkling wine can be made from any grape varietals the winemaker selects.

• A non-vintage champagne is champagne blended from different years.

• A vintage champagne is from the grapes of a single year. The grapes from this one year are deemed exceptional, requiring no blending from previous years. A vintage year of champagne only occurs two or three times a decade, most recently 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. 

• Terms used in describing the dryness of a champagne and sparkling wine are:  Extra Brut (very, very dry), Brut (very dry), Extra dry (off dry), Sec (slightly sweet), Demi  Sec (sweet), and Doux (very sweet). 

• Rose champagnes, which are very vogue now, are considered the crème de la crème by champagne lovers. Rose champagnes are typically a blend of 80 percent Pinot Noir and 20 percent Chardonnay or the opposite (80 percent Chardonnay and 20 percent Pinot Noir). Rose champagnes are dry and should not be mistaken for anything sweet like a White Zinfandel.  

                Sparkling wines are produced all over the world. Many are made using the same method (methode champenoise) as the famous champagne houses in France, and are extremely beautiful and affordable. Sparkling wines from California can be found in any wine shop and are very elegant and affordable. Many leading French champagne houses have invested in California vineyards and are producing top sparkling wines.

                Italian Proseccos are light, fruity and inexpensive, allowing consumers to make any occasion a celebration. Cavas, which are sparkling wines from Spain, are also fabulous sparklers. Asti Spumante, which is a slightly sweet Italian sparkling wine, is another great choice for those who do not  enjoy drier champagnes and sparkling wines. 

                Regardless of your preference – champagne or a sparkling wine – remember to always drink what you like and that any day, not just a holiday, can be a celebration. As Don Ho would sing: ”Tiny bubbles in the wine, make me feel happy, make me feel fine!”  Raise a flute… Cheers!

Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Rose

Retail $47.99

A beautiful, coppery pink color, this champagne has flavors of strawberries and red currants. Its versatility makes it easy to pair with all styles of foods or easily enjoyed on its own.

Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Brut

Retail $48.99

Veuve’s non-vintage Brut is from one of the most prestigious champagne houses in France. Rich on the nose and palate, this champagne is a full-bodied style with a nutty finish. 

Domaine Carneros

Retail $24.99

This sparkling wine is a lovely gold color and characterized by ripe fruit and beautiful notes of toast and vanilla, which extend on the finish.

Martini & Rossi Asti

Retail $12.49

A fruity, sparkling wine made from the Moscato Bianco grape. Light, fruity, with a touch of sweetness. 

Rebuli Prosecco

Retail $11.99

A light-colored sparkling wine with champagne-quality bubbles. Aromas of apples and spice and yeasty bread dough. Green apple flavors, balanced acidity and a creamy mouthful make it a versatile accompaniment with just about any food.

Cristalino Cava Brut

Retail $8.29

A beautiful, straw-colored sparkling wine from Cristalino, Spain. Fresh aromas with clean, crisp citrus and apple flavors on the palate. The perfect party wine! 

Holly Falk works in wine retail in Northern Virginia and is a wine consultant and educator. She visits Smith Mountain Lake often with her husband and two children. To submit a question on wine, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it