Champagne VS Sparkling : Learn The Differences

Can’t tell the difference between champagne and sparkling wine? You are not alone. Here comes a full guide to differentiating the two, all made for your easy understanding and future guidance.

But first, a quick look to their similarities to get us started.

• Both are festive drinks and often make appearance during holidays, anniversaries and weddings. Although for some fans, having such drink requires no reason or celebration at all.
• Both have fizzy bubbles, refreshing effervescence and similar bottling method (or corking).
• Both come in variety of options and brands.

The Differences

“All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne”

The Origin

• Champagne comes from Champagne, France which is located near Paris. According to European Law, only products that are bottled within 100 miles of this region can be legally named “ Champagne”
• Sparkling wine can come from anywhere in the world. It is the generic term for bubbly wine. Sparkling wine is easy to spot. It’s carbonated wine. Wine with bubbles. Prosecco is sparkling wine. Cava is sparkling wine. Sekt is sparkling wine.

The Method

• Champagne is made using Méthode Champenoise, a second fermentation process that happens inside the bottle, after the initial fermentation process. This creates C02 that’s captured within the bottle, and carbonates the wine. So really, one bottle of Champagne is an entire ‘batch’ in way. Some bottles will sit for literal decades before they’re even sampled. That’s one of the reasons it’s such an investment
• Sparkling wine can also be made with the similar method, but another common method is the Tank Method. This means the second round of fermentation is done in a tank, not in an individual bottle. Thus, the quality is not as reputable as true Champagne.

The Grapes

• Of the countless varieties, only a handful of grapes across Champagne are allowed to be used for its base. The only grapes that may be used to produce Champagne are:

• • Pinot Noir (most widely used)
  • Pinot Meunier (widely used)
  • Chardonnay (widely used)
  • Pinot Blanc
  • Pinot Gris
  • Petit Meslier
  • Arbane

• Meanwhile, sparkling wine may use other different variety of grapes, including Californian varietal. But the common sparkling wines are made with chardonnay and pinot noir grapes.

Taste

• Champagne tastes unique which is dominated by a nutty and toasty flavor. It also has ultra fine bubbly consistency
• Sparkling wine taste may vary depending on how they’re produced, but mostly fruity with a hint of apple, pear, honey and melon. As for the bubble consistency, they also vary from coarse to fine.

Price

• As the making of champagne is more labor-intensive and time consuming under specific conditions, champagne is naturally more expensive. Aging and fermentation also adds up to the cost, resulting in champagne prices from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
• Meanwhile, sparkling wine comes with a variety of budget and is more suitable for home occasions. But you can also find high quality sparkling wines with prices that may soar to over thousands of dollars!

Now that you know the basic differences, be sure to source all your beverages and food products from your trusted seller LuxoFood. Check out more interesting articles too in our website.