There’s something about a sparkling wines that just makes any occasion feel special. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, wedding, or just enjoying an evening out, these 10 wines are sure to please. With options from countries around the world, there’s something for everyone to love.
10 Must-Try Sparkling Wines From Around the World
1. Prosecco, Italy
Prosecco is an Italian white wine made from the Prosecco grape. It is typically light and sparkling, with a fruity flavor. Prosecco is produced in the Veneto region of Italy, in the foothills of the Alps. The wine is named after the town of Prosecco, in the province of Treviso.
Prosecco is made from the Prosecco grape, which is a variety of the Italian wine grape Glera. The Prosecco grape is native to the Veneto region of Italy. The name “Prosecco” comes from the Italian word for “a bunch of grapes”. Prosecco is typically light and sparkling, with a fruity flavor.
The wine is often used as a base for cocktails, such as the Bellini and the Aperol Spritz. Prosecco is produced in the Veneto region of Italy, in the foothills of the Alps. The climate in this region is ideal for growing Prosecco grapes. The soil is rich in minerals, and the hills provide good drainage.
The proximity to the Alps protects the vines from extreme weather conditions. The wine is named after the town of Prosecco, in the province of Treviso. Prosecco was first produced in this town in the 18th century. The wine became popular in the 19th century when it was exported to other parts of Italy and Europe.
Prosecco is made in two different styles: Brut and Extra Dry. Brut Prosecco is dry, with a hint of sweetness. Extra Dry Prosecco is slightly sweeter than Brut. Prosecco is usually served as an aperitif, or before a meal. It can also be enjoyed with dessert. Prosecco is a versatile wine that can be paired with many different foods.
2. Cava, Spain
Cava is a sparkling wine from Spain. It is produced in the traditional method of champenoise style and is made from a blend of native Spanish grape varieties. The most common cava grape varieties are Macabeo, xarel·lo, and parellada; however, other grapes may be used as well.
Cava is typically dry, but sweet and semi-sweet varieties are also produced. The wine is usually pale in color, but some producers are now making rosé cava. Cava was first produced in 1872 by José Raventós i Ferrer in the town of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia in the Penedès region of Catalonia.
The first cava to be exported was produced in 1887 by Codorníu. Cava production is centered in Catalonia, particularly in the Penedès region. In 2012, there were over 200 million bottles of cava produced in Spain. The vast majority of cava is produced by a handful of large producers, including Freixenet, Juvé & Camps, Torres, and Gramona.
3. Sekt, Germany
Sekt is a sparkling wine from Germany that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is made using the traditional method of secondary fermentation in the bottle, which gives it its unique flavor and bubbles.
Sekt can be enjoyed on its own or as an accompaniment to food. The German word “sekt” comes from the Latin “secare,” which means “to cut.” This refers to the fact that sekt is made by bottling wine before all of the fermentable sugars have been converted to alcohol.
This results in a wine with higher residual sugar content and carbon dioxide levels, giving it its characteristic sweetness and dizziness. Sekt was first produced in Germany in the early 19th century, but it was not until the late 20th century that it began to gain popularity outside of its home country.
Today, sekt is enjoyed all over the world and is a popular choice for special occasions and celebrations.
4. Crémant, France
Crémant is a type of French sparkling wine. It is made in the same way as Champagne, using the traditional method champenoise. Crémant de Loire and Crémant de Bourgogne are the most well-known types of Crémant.
The name Crémant is used for sparkling wines made in several regions of France, including the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Alsace, Bordeaux, and Limoux. Crémant de Loire is made from Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay grapes, while Crémant de Bourgogne is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
Crémant d’Alsace is made from a blend of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Riesling grapes, while Crémant de Bordeaux is made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes. Limoux sparkling wine, which is made in the Languedoc region of southern France, is also sometimes referred to as Crémant de Limoux.
Crémant sparkling wines are typically lighter and less yeasty than Champagne. They are typically made in a dry or off-dry style, with brut (dry) being the most common. Crémant de Loire and Crémant de Bourgogne are generally considered to be the best examples of the style.
5. Franciacorta, Italy
Franciacorta is a DOCG sparkling wine produced in the Lombardy region of Italy. The name “Franciacorta” comes from the French word “franc” meaning free, and “corta” meaning short, referring to the short distance between the vineyards and wineries in the area.
The first Franciacorta vintage was produced in 1967, making it one of Italy’s youngest wine regions. The Franciacorta region is located in the province of Brescia, in the northern Lombardy region of Italy. The region is characterized by its rolling hills, which are ideal for growing the grapes used in sparkling wine production.
The climate in Franciacorta is also ideal for growing grapes, with warm summers and cool winters. The primary grape variety used in Franciacorta production is Chardonnay, followed by Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) and Pinot Bianco (Pinot Blanc). These grapes are all grown in the vineyards surrounding the town of Franciacorta and are used to produce both still and sparkling wines.
The majority of Franciacorta producers use the traditional method of wine production, in which the grapes are fermented in barrels before being bottled with yeast and sugar. The bottles are then placed in a cool, dark place for a minimum of 18 months, during which time the yeast consumes the sugar and produces carbon dioxide.
This carbon dioxide is what gives sparkling wine its bubbles. Franciacorta wines are typically dry, with a creamy mouthfeel and a lively acidity. The wines are often described as having “biscuity” flavors, due to the long aging process in the bottles.
6. Lambrusco, Italy
Lambrusco is a red wine grape grown throughout Italy, most notably in the Emilia-Romagna region where it is used to produce a sparkling red wine of the same name. The grape is also found in other regions of Northern and Central Italy such as Lombardy, Veneto, and Tuscany.
Lambrusco wines are usually light-bodied and slightly sweet with high acidity and low alcohol levels. The grape is a member of the Vitaceae family which includes grapes such as Vitis vinifera (the species that contains most of the world’s wine grapes) and Vitis labrusca (the species that includes the native American grape varieties).
Lambrusco is a versatile grape that can be used to make several different styles of wine, from dry to sweet, still to sparkling. The most common style of Lambrusco is the sparkling variety, which is produced using the Charmat method (also known as the tank method).
This style of Lambrusco is typically light-bodied with fruity aromas and flavors. Lambrusco can also be made in a still, dry style that is fuller-bodied and has more complex flavor profiles. Finally, sweet styles of Lambrusco are also produced, which are often served as dessert wines.
7. Spumante, Italy
Spumante is a sparkling wine produced in Italy. It is made from a variety of grape varieties, such as Prosecco, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. The wine is usually served as an aperitif or dessert wine. The word “spumante” comes from the Italian word for “foam.” The wine is named for its bubbly texture.
Spumante wines are produced in a variety of styles, including brut, demi-sec, and doux. Brut spumantes are the driest, with little to no sugar added. Demi-sec spumantes are medium-dry, with a small amount of sugar added. Doux spumantes are the sweetest, with a significant amount of sugar added.
Spumante wines are typically produced in the Veneto and Lombardy regions of Italy. The most well-known spumante wine is Prosecco, which is produced in the Veneto region. Other popular spumante wines include Franciacorta, Lambrusco, and Asti. Spumante wines are typically served chilled.
They are often served as an aperitif, or before a meal. The wine can also be served with dessert. Spumante wines are also used in a variety of cocktails, such as the Bellini and the Aperol Spritz.
8. Asti, Italy
A little-known fact about Asti, Italy is that it produces some of the finest sparkling wines in the world. The town of Asti is located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy and has a long history of winemaking.
The climate in this part of Italy is perfect for growing the Moscato Bianco grape, which is used to make Asti wines. While most people think of Champagne when they think of sparkling wine, Asti wines are actually made in a very similar way. The grapes are harvested and then pressed in a special machine called a spumante. The juice from the grapes is then fermented in large tanks for several weeks.
After fermentation, the wine is bottled with a small amount of sugar and yeast. The bottles are then stored in a cool, dark place for several months. This allows the yeast to eat the sugar and produce carbon dioxide, which gives the wine its bubbles.
Asti wines are typically lighter and sweeter than Champagne. They are often served as an aperitif or dessert wine. If you’re looking for a special treat, Asti wines are worth trying.
9. Cap Classique, South Africa
South Africa’s Cap Classique sparkling wine is one of the most popular in the world. The country produces some of the best quality grapes for this type of wine, and its climate is perfect for growing them.
The topography of South Africa’s vineyards also helps to produce excellent sparkling wines. Cap Classique sparkling wines are made using the traditional method of fermentation in bottles. This method is used to produce Champagne, and it results in a wine that is full of bubbles and has a lot of flavors.
Cap Classique wines are usually made from Chardonnay or Pinot Noir grapes, but some winemakers also use Chenin Blanc or Pinotage. The best time to drink Cap Classique sparkling wines is during the summer months when they are at their freshest. They can be enjoyed on their own or with food. Cap Classique wines are also a great choice for special occasions.
10. Moscato d’Asti, Italy
Moscato d’Asti is a light, sparkling wine from the Piedmont region of Italy. It is made from the Moscato Bianco grape and is known for its sweetness and low alcohol content. Moscato d’Asti is typically served as an aperitif or dessert wine and is often enjoyed with fruit, cheese, or chocolate.
Moscato d’Asti is made using the Charmat method, which involves fermentation of the wine in tanks before bottling it with yeast and sugar. This results in a wine that is lower in alcohol than other sparkling wines and has a sweeter flavor. Moscato d’Asti is typically light in color, with a sweetness that can range from off-dry to syrupy.
The Moscato Bianco grape is native to the Piedmont region of Italy and has been used to make wine for centuries. Moscato d’Asti was first produced in the early 1800s and has since become one of Italy’s most popular sparkling wines. Moscato d’Asti is best served chilled and is typically enjoyed within a year of its production. However, some producers do make vintage-dated Moscato d’Asti that can be aged for several years.
Conclusion
Sparkling wines are the perfect drink to celebrate any occasion. Whether you’re ringing in the new year, celebrating a promotion, or simply enjoying a beautiful day, these ten sparkling wines from around the world are sure to please.
