Sparkling Wines Basics

Sparkling wine – This type of alcoholic drink needs a meticulous process to arrive at this beautiful product that is a delight in the palate.

History of Sparkling Wine

Champagne was a wine strictly for the royalty in medieval times. In fact, Emperor Domitian ordered to uproot vineyards from their colonies to make it exclusively for the novelties. When the next Emperor removed the proclamation, almost all sectors of the country started out planting grape wines. Initially, the priests from the Catholic churches planted grapes used for the sacramental Eucharist mass until other residents made wine for commercial gain.

The people of Champagne-Ardenne or the Champenois were quite envious of the Burgundian Wine that was famous all over the globe, even in early centuries. But given the climate in their location, the temperature prohibited the Champenois from making a delicate red wine. The cold weather resulted in a wine with high acidity and low sugar levels. The most obvious result was a wine that is light-bodied and thinner in texture.

One of the most common misconceptions about Champagne is that the famous Dom Pérignon discovered and developed the process of sparkling wine. But records show that the earliest traces of this delight was from the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire from Blanquette de Limoux.

According to historians, the development of sparkling wine was entirely by accident, back then when a wine produces that fizz and bubbles, the producers discard the batch and a whole new bunch is in the making.

Types of Sparkling Wines

Prestige Cuvee ― Like Burgundian Red Wine were a First Growth label means the best of the best, for Champagnes, the name ‘Prestige Cuvee’ means the top in the producer’s range. These wines are in an extraordinary container, produced in a very intricate process and because of this, a bottle can be very pricey.

Blanc de Noirs ― Literally means ‘White from Black’, these wines are from dark-colored grapes. This is possible by limiting the contact of the grape skin from the flesh grapes to produce that light-colored juice.

Blanc de Blancs ― Literally means ‘White from White’, this type of sparkling wine means it is 100% blend of white grape, usually the Chardonnay grape variety.

Rosé Champagne ― This type of Champagne is popular and created by leaving the skin of the grape in contact with the clear juice for a short while to produce that subtle pink color in the wine. Another method is by adding a red grape variety into the bright Champagne. This variety is famous in high-end restaurants for its unique taste and aroma.

Examples of the Best Sparkling Wine

Dom Pérignon Brut Champagne ― A world-class Champagne sought around the world by almost everyone. You can never go wrong with this one if you want something new on the palate. It has the taste of green apple, a little bit of caramel and some floral notes all mixing in the palate. This is a well-balanced wine with a long finish that is perfect for any occasion. This Champagne is best with fatty fish, shellfish, pork and soft cheese. This wine is worth every penny. You don’t want to miss this one out.

Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Gold Brut Champagne ― This is one of the most popular Champagnes from the region of Champagne, France. It is perfect in the nose with floral and lively aromas. The flavor of this wine is out of this world; it has that fruity taste, balanced with crisp acidity and delicate texture. This wine is good with fatty fish, shellfish, soft cheese, and pork dishes. This Champagne is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir― a masterpiece of Armand de Brignac. But remember, this wine is so hard to find, you’ll need a lot of connections, to have a bottle.

Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne Grand Cru, Ay ― This wine is no doubt, a wine you will surely love. It has flavors of green apple and pear tart and in the nose are aromas of lemon, lime, and fresh-cut grass. Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne Grand Cru is best with fatty fish, shellfish, pork and soft cheese. I swear that this wine is heaven-like; you should try this one now.

Author Bio

Scarlett Wells is a freelance writer and wine enthusiast. She is an active critique examining all levels of wine types so she can produce reviews and articles that will help guide every consumer in selecting the right kind of wine to drink. Aside from that, she wrote a lot of blogs maximizing the real usage of wines. In her free time, she reads a lot about food and beverage pairing in order to help her become an effective mentor inspiring everyone to maintain a fit and fab lifestyle.