Fizz the season ladies and gents. The holidays are finally upon us, which means it is officially time to break out the bubbly. If you are a wine lover like us, you know that there is an abundance of bubbly wine styles out there, and figuring out which one to bring with you to your holiday celebrations can be a real cham-pagne in the ass.
If you need some guidance, you have come to the right place. We’re here to give you the lowdown on the different types of sparkling wine that you can serve up this December. Let’s pop to it, shall we?
Champagne
We all know this fan-favorite is the default setting in our brain when someone mentions “sparkling wine”. Champagne was originally created in 1697 by Dom Perignon. At first sip, he is quoted as saying “Come quickly, I am tasting the stars.” The name Champagne refers to the region in northeast France, which is divided into five growing regions, where champagne grapes are harvested. By law, in order for champagne to be considered “champagne” on the label, the grapes must be harvested from the Champagne region of France. Unlike many other sparkling wines that use the tank method, Champagne gets its bubbles by going through a second fermentation phase inside the bottle called Méthode Champenoise. Although champagne is produced in a variety of styles and sweetness, it is typically a dry wine with high acidity. Our favorite pairing with Champagne: french double creme brie. Need we say more?
Prosecco
Pro-seccond to none is the well-loved sparkling wine varietal, prosecco. Prosecco wine dates back to the Ancient Romans and gets its name from the Italian village of Prosecco. The wine is made primarily from Glera grapes grown and harvested in Italy. Glera grapes are a white variety of grape of Slovenian origin, which are primarily known as “prosecco grapes”. Prosecco is generally known as a slightly sweeter sparkling wine with notes of apples, pears, and citrus fruits and a moderate alcohol level between 11-12%. Unlike Champagne, prosecco is produced using the tank method, in which the second fermentation of the wine happens inside of a large vat, and is then bottled afterward. This fermentation is done by adding yeast and sugars to the base wine and sealing the tank to prevent CO2 from escaping causing the bubbles inside of the wine. This fizzy wine will have you rockin’ around the Christmas tree all December long.
Brut
Unlike other bubbles in this guide, the name Brut does not refer to the grapes used to produce the wine, but rather a style of bubbly wine. In fact, Brut in French translates to “dry”. This dry sparkling wine is a crowd pleaser and is the most versatile of sparkling wines. Our newly released 2020 Brut Bubbles will make you want to pop cans and celebrate all night long. Just Enough 2020 Brut Bubbles is a dry, sparkling wine made with a Chardonnay base. The grapes were grown on the Central Coast of California. It went through its second fermentation using the tank method. Run, don’t walk to try our new Brut Bubbles this holiday season.
Cava
Let’s raise a toast to this magnífica style of sparkling wine. Similar to Champagne, this Spanish-style of bubbly goes through its second fermentation inside of the bottle using the “Traditional Method”. In fact, the wine originally went by the name “Spanish Champagne”. The name was changed in 1970 to “cava” which translates to cave or cellar. A nod to the underground cellars which were used by winemakers in the early production days of cava. Cava can either be produced as a white or rosé. By using the “traditional method”, cava is considered to be a more complex style of sparkling wine, with a smoother mouthfeel. This light to medium body, dry bubbly wine typically has notes of bright citrus, nuttiness, and a crisp minerality. If you haven’t added cava to your roster of sparkling wines to try this December, you are missing out!
Rosé
Let’s end on a rosy note, shall we? When it comes to still wines, rosé is always a fan favorite. With bright, sweet flavors that liven up any occasion, it only makes sense to add bubbles to the mix. Known for its beautiful peachy hues and fruity notes, Rosé Bubbles is a fun twist for any event. Rosé Bubbles, much like Brut, is named after the style of wine, not where it was produced. Rosé Bubbles is well-loved around the world, being produced in Italy, France, and our beautiful home state of California. Our newly released, 2020 Rosé Bubbles was produced using California grapes and has notes of fresh tropical fruit, wildflowers, and a juicy peach hue. This bright, pink sparkling wine will knock your socks off!
So there you have it. Five different styles of bubbly that will have you sippin’ into the Holiday season. To try our newly released sparkling wines, go to our wines, and add a few 6-packs of bubbles to your cart.