There is much misunderstanding about the difference between sparkling wine and champagne. When you taste them, you probably will not notice a great deal of difference and there is a good reason for that. The real truth behind sparkling wine and champagne is that they are basically the same thing. Due to technicalities, though, they get different names.
Sorting out what is in a Name
Technically speaking, champagne is always sparkling wine, but sparkling wine isn't always champagne. The reason for this is that the only wine that can be labeled as champagne is that which is made in France's Champagne region.
True champagne from France is considered the most famous type of sparkling wine. However, sparkling wine from regions around the world are selling quickly, too. Many have a taste that is quite comparable with champagne and are frequently sold at lower prices, which makes them more desirable to many people.
Making Sparkling Wine or Champagne
Sparkling wine and Champagne are made the same way. The only difference is where the grapes come from, with those being used in Champagne coming only from vineyards in France.
To make sparkling wine or champagne the process starts out the same way as any other type of wine. The grapes are harvested and the juice is collected. It is then blended, as needed and the wine sits to ferment.
At this point making sparkling wine or champagne starts to differ from other wines. The wine goes into bottles and a mixture is added of sugar and yeast. This helps to produce the bubbles. The wine is then fermented for a second time.
The bottle is capped to trap the carbon dioxide in the bottle. The carbon dioxide is what makes the bubbles. This is the traditional process of making champagne that comes from French champagne makers.
Once the yeast eats up all the sugar, the second fermentation process is finished. A residue is left behind in the bottle. It then goes on to age.
After aging, the bottled wine is shaken as it sits on the racks. This process helps the residue go to the neck of the bottle. The process is called riddling. It is usually done by a machine.
From here the bottles are frozen, the cap removed and the residue pops out. This process is called disgorgement. The bottles are then filled with a dosage that adds sweetness to the wine. The bottle is corked, labeled, and boxed for shipping.
Most sparkling wine and champagne is made in this manner. Cheaper sparkling wines may not go through fermentation in bottles but rather in a large tub and then get bottled afterwards.
As you can see, when you want to choose between sparkling wine and champagne there is not real difference. Many people prefer sparkling wine just due to the fact that it is often more readily available and less expensive. Those with distinguished tastes, though, may find champagne has a more refined flavor and prefer it. For the average wine drinker, though, either variety will work for whatever special occasion they are celebrating.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For wine merchants & importers he recommends Alexander Hadleigh, a leading supplier of some of the worlds Finest Champagnes.
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