Did you know that there’s more to the bubbly world of wine than Champagne? That there are other regions, other flavor profiles, other worlds of sparkling outside the common varietals? That’s not to say that we don’t love our Champagnes—we just want you to know that there’s more than France’s popular creation.
To introduce you to this diverse world, we’re going to talk about some of the different types of sparkling wines that aren’t Champagne. From Cava to sparkling rosé, it’s time to open yourself up to variety. Check it out!
Prosecco
Prosecco is to Italy, as Champagne is to France—which means it’s delicious, versatile, and perfect for celebrations. Named after the village it originated in, Prosecco is a sparkling wine made from Glera grapes. Often on the sweeter side, its primary flavors burst with green apple, pear, honeysuckle, and lemon.
The big difference between Prosecco and Champagne doesn’t come from the taste itself, but actually from the production method. Champagne has a much longer process, whereas Prosecco is produced using the tank method, which is more affordable.
Cava
We talked a bit about Cava in our post about popular Spanish wine regions because that’s where Cava was born and produced. It actually goes through the same production process as Champagne, but with a different grape: Macabeu. Though important to Spanish wine culture, the grape itself is quite simple, containing faint floral aromatics and a lemony flavor.
If you’re looking for a sweet sparkling wine, Cava typically isn’t the route to go. But if you want to try a robust brut sparkling wine that isn’t Champagne, then this is the perfect bottle.
Sparkling Rosé
Everyone loves rosé, but a fan favorite is rosé in its sparkling form. These wines can come from all over—Italy, California, Oregon, and Australia—but it’s most commonly produced in Provence, France. Find flavors of strawberry, honeydew, rhubarb, and more. It’s a great introduction to the bubbly world.
Sekt
Now meet some sparkling wines that you may not be aware of. Sekt is a sparkling wine from Germany that’s noted for its low sweetness and low alcohol levels. You can find bottles of this bubbly with a low 6 percent alcohol, full of floral flavors and aromas of apples and pears. If you can find a bottle, try it, because its popularity is sure to skyrocket.
Crémant
Crémant is actually another sparkling wine from France—often produced in Limoux, Loire, and Burgundy. Though it’s made with the same traditional method as Champagne, the difference is in the grapes. Therefore, Crémant wines have a creamy and nutty taste, rather than the sweet you’d expect.
Trentodoc
The last sparkler we’ll discuss today is Trentodoc. Its name comes from the words Trento (the city it originated) and the appellation indicator (DOC). The pleasures of this wine are crisper and more immediate than Champagne and showcase that there is more to Italian bubbly than Prosecco. It’s versatile, affordable, and bursting with beautiful acidity.
When you’re looking for some bubbly, look to Wines ‘Til Sold Out and order sparkling wine online. Delivered straight to your doorstep, these wines are sure to impress. Shop now!
Loved the explanations! thanks! Polly
Let us know if you run into any questions. Our team is always happy to help!