By Margaret Wallace

Whether you are raising one’s glass for your best friend’s wedding or merely having a weekend meal, there are a lot of suitable moments to have or indulge in a refreshing glass of bubbly champagne. Getting the right bubbly though, can, for the most part, be a tricky and challenging experience.

To help you steer across the ever-growing directory of effervescent options on the market today, check out the ways on how you can get the best bottle of bubbly. In this article, you will encounter some shopping tips and must-know terms.  So, read on!

Know The Difference Between Sparkling Wine, Prosecco, Cava, and Champagne

Sparkling wine is the general term for all types of bubbly wines that don’t follow any conventional wine-making techniques that Cava, Prosecco, and Champagne do. Additionally, it can have its sources from any location, from Switzerland to California.

On the other hand, Prosecco is a type of wine made in Italy. These wines are, for the most part, crafted using the Charmat technique. Meaning, Prosecco wines are fermented first in tanks, and then stored under pressure in portable containers after. These wines have the roughest bubbles and are usually sweeter than Cava.

Like Champagne, Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine, is brewed and fizzled within the bottle. However, it uses affordable grapes. Thus, resulting in a much lower price. The bubbles of a Cava sparkling wine are finer compared to those found in Prosecco. However, they are bigger than Champagne, and is, more often than not, sweeter.

Lastly, to get the distinguished “Champagne” trade name, the sparkling wine must, for the most part, produced in Champagne, France. Plus, they should be made of conventional Champagne grapes such as Pinot Meunier, pinot noir, and Chardonnay, and must abide by the traditional winemaking method that needs you to ferment the wine in the bottle. Among the three, Champagne has the finest bubbles and is the least sweet.

Look For Your Sweet Tooth, From Extra Brut to Doux

Throughout the last phase of production, sugar is, for the most part, added to sparkling wines to balance out the acidity.  The outcome will be categorized from the driest to sweetest depending on the volume of sugar added.

When we talk about food pairings, one practical approach is to pair the drink with the meal. From here, sweet blends go well with desserts, and salads go well with acidic varieties. The driest category is Brut and Extra Brut. It is not like the sweeter varieties. Brut wines are very much versatile and can be savored with plenty of food options. The sweetest category is the Doux. It is paired well with a creme brulee.

Also, you need to consider the color. Sparkling wines and champagnes vary in color from red to pink, to white, depending on the kind of grape used in the production. Take note that color can influence the flavor and the texture of the wine once it goes into your mouth.

Be Aware of Your Tiers

Prestige is a blend that is produced using the most expensive grapes from the winery. On the other hand, reserver indicates that the bottle has been stored for quite some time for more compound results. And classic is the entry tier of a vineyard.

Get A Lot By Spending A Little

Champagne bottles ranging from fifteen to twenty dollars are a great starting point if you are unsure or hesitant of what to get. And if you are trying to make an impression to someone close to you.

Moreover, decide on a bottle size before you go to a wine shop, know whether the champagne will be mixed with another drink, and think about the occasion. By doing so, you will have no trouble setting and adjusting your budget.

Go Green

Similar to olive oil, wines or champagnes such as Dom Perignon can be comprehended with too much light, which is the reason why a lot of sparkling wines are stored in dark bottles. Place them in a dark, cool place, so that you will not risk tampering the wine, which will transform or turn the typical aroma into something that is more cabbage-like.

Takeaway

All in all, you will know what does not work and what works to keep the fizzles from flowing. Celebratory gatherings and festive events are, for the most part, enhanced and boosted with a glass of bubbly.

Although champagne mainly refers or make reference to sparkling wine made in Champagne, France following strict regulations, many appraise or think about other sparkling wine classifications such as Prosecco and Cava to be just as alluring and delightful.

Furthermore, when it comes to knowing whether to choose Champagne or other sparkling wines, one must think about the purpose, budget, and taste before heading to the wine shop.