Various methods of making sparkling wine

We usually see sparkling wines, not only Champagne, but also Cava, Prosecco and Sekt, which have wonderfully fresh acidity and long, fine bubbles that bring us a touch of coolness on a hot summer day. So, do you know how the bubbles in a sparkling wine are created? It starts with the process of making sparkling wine. This article will introduce you to five common methods of making sparkling wine.

Champagne Method/Methode Champenoise

Champagne is arguably the most well-known sparkling wine in the world, and the name “Champagne” is a household word. In 1845, the French Supreme Court (Cour de cassation) ruled against using the name “Champagne” to describe sparkling wines from outside the Champagne region. In 1994, the European Union banned the use of the term “Methode Champenoise” to label sparkling wines in countries other than Champagne. This means that in the European Union, even though other countries or regions use the same method of making sparkling wine as Champagne, they cannot use the title “Methode Champenoise”, so this method is called “Traditional Method” in regions or countries other than Champagne. This method is called the “Traditional Method” in countries other than Champagne.

The Traditional Method is the most classic method of making sparkling wine, producing better quality, more complex wines with more ageing potential. However, it is more time consuming and expensive than other methods, so sparkling wines made using the traditional method are usually more expensive. In addition to Champagne, other great sparkling wines made using the traditional method include Spanish cava and French sparkling wine (Cremant).

The winemaking process:

1. Base Wine: The grapes are crushed and gently pressed to produce a dry, high-acid base wine with a neutral flavor profile.

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2. Blending: This is a very important step. First, blending base wines from different vineyards, varieties or vintages helps to maintain the consistent style of the sparkling wine, which is essential for non-vintage sparkling wines. Secondly, blending can improve the balance and complexity of the sparkling wine.

Winery,