Champagne vs Sparkling Wine
Village & Vineyards in Champagne
What is the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine? Just the place where it's made. To be called Champagne, the sparkling wine must be made in the Champagne region of France.
The Region
Sparkling wine can be called Champagne only if it is made in the Champagne region of France, a legally defined area just northeast of Paris. It’s purely a regulatory distinction, not a difference in quality. Sparkling wine is made in other areas of France and in fact, in every country around the world.
The Grapes
In addition to the region, there are only seven grape varieties that can be used to make Champagne. The three most common are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The less common grapes are all white varieties, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier and Arbane. They are less common because they account for less than 1% of the plantings in Champagne. Sparkling wines made in other areas can be made from a wide variety of grapes and blends, unless regulated by their own local regions.
Red and Green Wine Grapes
The Method
Champagne must be made using the Méthode Champenoise, also called the Méthode Traditionnelle. This method requires that the secondary fermentation occur in the bottle from which the wine is sold.
Many sparkling wines made outside of Champagne use the same Méthode Traditionnelle, although there are several other processes that can be used.
All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne.
Other Methods for Making Sparkling Wines
There are several methods for making sparkling wines. Wines from Champagne must be made using the Méthode Champenoise. Wines made in other areas of France or other countries often use the traditional method, which is thought to make the finest sparkling wines.
Here are the other methods for making sparkling wines:
Tank Method, also referred to as Charmat
Ancestral Method, also referred to as pét-nat from the French pétillant-naturel
Other Methods – transfer method, continuous method, and carbonation
Still Thirsty?
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The Difference Between Sparkling Wine and Champagne