There’s not enough said about the vastness of the sparkling wine category. Understanding its nuances can lead one down a bubbly rabbit hole: The grape varieties used, production method choices, aging requirements and seemingly endless additional factors that can tremendously impact the final drinking experience.
Chris Gaither, master sommelier and wine director at Ungrafted and GluGlu in San Francisco, explains that regardless of the type of sparkling wine, all purposefully have a high amount of carbon dioxide trapped inside their bottles.
“There are two popular styles derived from the method of fermentation and aging: traditional method and Charmat method,” he says. The traditional method is synonymous with Champagne, though it is used all over the world today to make high-quality sparkling wine. “The traditional method requires that a [fermented base wine] undergoes a second fermentation in the same bottle it will be sold in,” Gaither explains. That secondary fermentation is what causes carbon dioxide—in other words, bubbles—to be trapped within the bottle.
On the other hand, the Charmat method also involves a secondary fermentation, though it takes place in a large, pressurized tank rather than individual bottles. “This helps to preserve the fresh fruit aromatics of the sparkling wine, and doesn’t require long periods of aging,” Gaither explains. This is also the go-to method for producing the majority of Proseccos. “This style of sparkling wine is also quite popular, as it is less expensive and much easier to produce compared to traditional method bubbly.”
Take a Deeper Dive: Your Guide to Becoming an Expert on Sparkling Wine
Of course, any conversation about sparklers must include mention of méthode ancestrale, or pét-nat. This technique differs from the traditional method in that the wine is only partially fermented before bottling. This one and only fermentation continues in the bottle, which produces carbon dioxide. The result is a pleasing effervescence, often ready for sipping only after a short few months of rest.
What bubbles are most worth your attention? Here are the top effervescent wines to drink right now, as determined by Wine Enthusiast’s Tasting Department.
Best Champagne
Laurent-Perrier NV La Cuvée Brut (Champagne)
As an indication of its complexity, this Champagne is a blend of more than 100 different wines. This nonvintage cuvée is rich, with a hint of toast contrasting with the wine’s mineral texture. White fruits give a vivid character to the aftertaste. Drink now. 91 Points — Roger Voss
$60 Wine.comBest Crémant de Bordeaux
Jaillance NV Héritage Brut (Crémant de Bordeaux)
Softly fruity, this attractive wine is a blend of Sémillon and Cabernet Franc. It is crisp, while also having a creamy character. Drink now. Best Buy. 90 Points — R.V.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherBest Crémant de Bourgogne
Prosper Maufoux NV Brut (Crémant de Bourgogne)
Refreshing, with a good balance of orchard and citrus fruit, this crémant finishes with pleasurable salinity and sweetness. 92 Points — Anna-Christina Cabrales
$25 Wine.comBest Crémant d’Alsace
Anne de K NV Brut Rosé Sparkling (Crémant d’Alsace)
River rocks and ripe orchard fruit aromas lead the way on the nose. While the mousse on this one is quite lively, the palate is soft and tangy with apples and cherries. The mineral notes recede as supporting players. A finish of tart red berries makes this an interesting option to pair with heartier meals. 93 Points — Layla Schlack
$22 Total Wine & MoreBest American
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2019 Brut (Finger Lakes)
This is a smartly made traditional method fizz from one of the Finger Lakes’ most respected producers. Lovely layers of aromas, from gilled apple and honeyed pear to florals and white spice open on the rich, toasty nose. Lively bubbles and racy acidity leap from the glass at first sip. There’s tangy fruit, textural interest and excellent length. It is, frankly, delicious. Editor’s Choice. 94 Points — Christina Pickard
$ Varies Wine-Searcher
Flâneur NV Brut Sparkling (Willamette Valley)
Yes, there are lemon curd, peach and white chocolate aromas. But behind those aromas is a note that reminded me of fried chicken skins. I consider this an amazing combination, as well as a hint to a food pairing. Lime sorbet, vanilla and almond flavors are delivered by delightfully lazy bubbles. Editor’s Choice. 93 Points — Michael Alberty
$40 Flâneur Wines
Summer Somewhere 2022 Brut Rosé Sparkling (Santa Barbara County)
Showing the softest hint of pink in the glass, this very accessible bottling offers pleasant strawberry and bubblegum aromas on the nose. There’s a creamy mousse to the palate, where red fruit and lime peel flavors align. Editor’s Choice. 93 Points — Matt Kettmann
$70 Summer Somewhere WinesBest Prosecco
Le Contesse NV Single Fermentation Brut Glera (Prosecco)
Aromas of fresh apples, a whiff of white flowers and a hint of peach waft from the glass. The steely palate is crisp with crunch acidity and highlights the fruits found on the nose. It finishes with a subtle jasmine tea note and cool minerality. Best Buy. 90 Points — Jeff Porter
$ Varies Wine-SearcherBest Italian (Franciacorta; non-Prosecco)
Barone Pizzini NV Animante Brut Nature Sparkling (Franciacorta)
Sourced from 25 vineyard sites across the Franciacorta region, the Animante is a snapshot of the region as a whole. Aromas of fresh apples and apple tart, ginger, wildflowers and sea salt define the nose. The palate is bright but with a creamy texture of baked orchard fruits with the zip of lemon zest and nuance provided by a flinty minerality. Franciacorta in a nutshell! 93 Points — J.P.
$ Varies Wine-Searcher
Ca’ del Bosco 2018 Vintage Collection Satèn Chardonnay-Pinot Blanc (Franciacorta)
The wine begins with gentle aromas of baked pear tart, thyme, honey, and wildflowers. Tart citrus notes peek out their heads on the palate interplaying with creamy orchard fruit notes yielding to sweet and savory spices on the elegant and refined finish. Editor’s Choice. 93 Points — J.P.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherBest Cava
Castell d’Or NV Flama d’Or Sparkling (Cava)
Gentle mousse and aromas of peach, Seckel pear and rising bread draw you in for a sip that reveals nectarine, Delicious apple, toasted almond and lemon zest flavors. Gentle tongue-tingling acidity and effervescence linger on the palate. Best Buy. 88 Points — Mike DeSimone
$ Varies Wine-SearcherBest Rosé
Bailly-Lapierre NV Paul Delane Rosé Brut (Crémant de Bourgogne)
A joyous nose of cherry blossoms, plums, wild strawberries, sea salt and white stones is celebrated on the palate with balanced texture and acidity, allowing for the persistence of predominantly red-fruit flavors. It finishes with a delicious savor of white peppercorn. Best Buy. 92 Points — A.C.
$23 Wine.com
Champliau NV Brut Rosé (Crémant de Bourgogne)
Aromas of pomelo, a sliver of honey, fresh slices of red apple and plums develop with concentration in the nose. The palate is joyous and lifted, with a touch of savory essence from plums and black cherries. Absolutely delectable. 91 Points — A.C.
$25 Wine.comBest Blanc de Blancs
Argyle 2018 Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine Knudsen Vineyard Chardonnay (Dundee Hills)
Aromas of crushed peaches and lime juice swirl up slowly from the glass, along with a tantalizing note of cilantro. The bubbles form a tight column to escort tangy flavors like Thai basil, lemon verbena and mineral water on the rocks with a twist of lime. This is an energizing sparkling wine. 92 Points — M.A.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherBest Blanc de Noirs
Goat Bubbles 2019 Ampelos Vineyard Blanc de Noirs Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
Combining a persistent mousse with fresh citrus and mineral-laced aromas and flavors, this is one of the region’s better bubblies right now. Aromas of wet stone, citrus and cake batter lead from the nose into a foam-full palate of tart apple, tangerine peel and delicate dough. Editor’s Choice. 94 Points — M.K.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherBest Nature (no added sugar)
Mosnel NV Brut Nature Sparkling (Franciacorta)
The focused nose of this sparkling wine is very intriguing with its interplay between lemon rind, green apple skin, crystallized ginger and a salty minerality. Laser-focused acidity keep the wine fresh with tart orchard fruits and citrus with hints of lees aging on the finish. This wine could surprise you with a nap in the cellar. Drink now–2035. Editor’s Choice. 93 Points — J.P.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherFAQs
What Makes Champagne Different from Other Sparkling Wines?
To some, no sparkling wine is grander than Champagne. Catherine Fallis, master sommelier at the wine club Bright Cellars, is one such believer. She describes Champagne as the “pinnacle” of sparkling wine because of its grapes’ dramatic growing conditions and its highly controlled, technically specific production method.
The traditional method—or méthode traditionelle, formerly known as méthode Champenoise— incorporates a second fermentation in bottle and a long, labor-intensive aging process to allow the formation of autolytic character. It’s simply achieved with a little yeast and sugar.
“Think ‘bake shop’ flavors,” Fallis says, “and very fine, lingering bubbles.” Many sparkling wines around the world are made using this method, including Cava, Crémant and a handful of top Prosecco Superiores.
Are All Sparkling Wines Dry?
Simply put, no. The driest Champagnes are actually labeled as Brut Nature, Extra Brut or Brut, whereas those labeled as Extra Dry, Dry, Sec, Demi-Sec and Doux are actually perceptibly sweet.
“Other sparkling wine producers use these terms, but they are not necessarily regulated,” Fallis says. In short, if looking for something dry, don’t look for the word “dry” on the label—look for Brut Nature, Zero Dosage, Extra Brut or Brut.
Is Champagne a White Wine?
Champagne is most frequently vinified as a sparkling white wine, though most estates will frequently include a rosé iteration in their lineup.
Is Champagne Carbonated?
Yes. Like all sparkling wines, Champagne is characterized by its carbonation. “Sparkling wine [including Champagne] is a style of wine that has dissolved carbon dioxide gas, making it bubbly or effervescent,” says Travis Padilla, a New York-based sommelier at The Wine & Hip Hop Show and Il Buco.
Which Grapes Are Used in Champagne?
Three main grapes are used in Champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. “Chardonnay is the citrusy one—imagine drinking lemonade while wrapped in a warm blanket,” Padilla says. Meanwhile, Pinot Noir adds structure and red fruit flavors, often regarded as the grape that “holds the group together.” Pinot Meunier, on the other hand, offers fruity and floral flavors. “It adds a playful touch to the mix,” says Padilla. “If Chardonnay is the lightning, Pinot Meunier is the thunder in the background.”
Small amounts of other varieties can also be found in the region, including Arbanne, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier, Pinot Gris and Voltis. “These varieties account for a small number of plantings in the region, but because of their unique character, can still be found in niche cuvées,” Peltier says.
Take a Deeper Dive: All the Grapes Used in Champagne, Explained
How Should I Store Sparkling Wine?
For short-term storage, any refrigerator will suffice. For long-term storage, however, sparkling wine bottles should be placed on their sides and kept in a dark, cool place. The ideal temperature for storing sparkling wines is generally around 54 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit and away from bright light and vibrations.
“If you’re enjoying your bottle of sparkling wine in the next few weeks, it’s okay to keep the bottle upright in your pantry, but if you’re thinking of storing your sparkling wine longer term, you should store the bottles on their sides to avoid the cork from drying up,” Peltier says, noting that a number of sparkling wines—especially vintage Champagne—can age for years in bottle. “Over time, flavors and aromas will soften and evolve, making the wine more complex.”
What Are the Best Food Pairings for Sparkling Wine?
Most wine professionals agree that sparkling wine is among the most versatile and food-friendly wine styles on the planet, making it perfectly enjoyable with or without food. Peltier finds that dry styles of Champagne, Crémants or Franciacorta work great with citrus or saline flavors, particularly those found in seafood dishes, as well as with a variety of fried foods, as the wines’ zesty acidity complements the dishes’ salty and fatty flavors.
Gaither recommends pairing sparkling wine with sushi, while Padilla describes sparkling wine as a true “all-arounder,” noting that it pairs with everything from fresh fish to steak and beyond. With regards to sparkling rosé, Peltier generally reaches for spicier dishes or cured meats, as he finds that the wines’ acidity and fruitiness balances out the stronger flavors found in these dishes.
“Sparkling wine can also be enjoyed at the end of the meal,” he says, noting that sweeter styles of bubbly boast enough acidity to cut through creamier desserts like crème brûlée, whereas rosé sparklers beautifully complement meringues and fruit-based desserts.
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Published: November 14, 2023
