A party isn’t a party if there is no sparkling wine to cheers with. Once the cork pops, a celebration is guaranteed. But, what’s the difference between Champagne, Cava and Prosecco? And how are these little bubbles made?
The bubbles found in sparkling wine are a product of carbon dioxide, which is brought about through the fermentation process. After the first fermentation, the base wine is a still wine with low alcohol content. The winemakers then induce the second fermentation by adding yeast and sugar to the base wine. The yeast converts the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The bubbles are formed since the carbon dioxide is trapped.
At Sciacca Grill, we’re passionate about our wines so we’ve come up with a guide to the different types of sparkling wines.
Levels of Sweetness
When you look at the label on a bottle of sparkling wine, you’ll find one of the words below. These indicate the level of sweetness of the wine.
Extra-Brut – this is the driest of all sparkling wines as it lacks sugar and has a high level of acidity.
Brut – this is the most popular sparkling wine and is usually labelled as champagne. Although it’s dry, it’s slightly sweet.
Extra Dry – although the name suggests otherwise, this wine is sweeter than the previous one. A popular type of sparkling wine which is considered to be ‘extra dry’ is Prosecco.
Demi-Sec – this is a very sweet sparkling wine which is usually served alongside dessert.
Doux – extremely sweet wine that is considered a dessert wine
Popular Types of Sparkling Wine
Prosecco – This is the most appreciated brut Italian sparkling wine from Northeast Italy. It’s light and fruity with floral notes. This wine is best enjoyed with a variety of our starters and appetizers.
American – This type of wine uses Champagne as an inspiration. It’s a new class of sparkling wine produced in vineyards across America. The bubbles are known for being well-rounded with refreshing fruity flavours with a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir background.
Cava – Known as the sparkling wine of Spain, it’s the most affordable, but still very flavourful and versatile. It accompanies nearly all dishes whilst it highlights bright citrus and almond flavours. It’s dry, crisp, and light.
Champagne – Also known as the king of bubbly, it’s only a true Champagne if made in France and created in the conventional method. Made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, Champagne is more acidic and dryer than other sparkling wines.
The Grapes in Sparkling Wine
When looking at the label, you’ll also find French terms indicating what type of grape the wine originated from which determines its overall flavour.
Blanc de Blancs – Translating to “white of whites,” this wine is strictly made out of Chardonnay grapes. These types of grapes produce a light and clean flavour with fresh, delicate notes.
Blanc de Noirs – This translates to “white of blacks.” It’s either produced solely from red Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, or a mix of the two grapes. It’s rich and full-bodied with hints of berry and vanilla flavours.
Rosé – These pink wines have fuller bodies and can be sweet or dry. There must be some percentage of red grapes used, which give the pink colour.
Discover our excellent sparkling wine selections at Sciaccia Grill and make a reservation for your next fine dining meal today!
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