9x explanation of names for sparkling wines

The holidays call for bubbles. But don't call them champagne if it ís not champagne. Sparkling wines abound; besides champagne, we also know cava, prosecco and more. What exactly is the difference between these sparkling wines? We list them for you.
Text: Marjolein Schuman | Image: Unsplash

Champagne

Need we say more? The region is where the second fermentation of wine in the bottle was invented. Champagne's particular location (northeast of Paris) and hundreds of years of experience have given the region's wine a huge quality edge. The lover kicks up flavours like toast and bread.

Winzersekt

The term Sekt is not officially protected. ‘Deutscher Sekt’ more so: the grapes must be grown in Germany. ‘Sekt bestimmte Anbaugebiete’ means that the wine is made in one of the quality wine-growing regions. Even better: Winzersekt, guaranteed with Klassische Flaschengärung.

Sparkling wine 

A wonderful name for bubbles from South Africa. The method, cap classique is that of champagne. The influence of champgne is also evident in the best bubbles. These come from cooler regions and, like their French friend, have pinot noir and chardonnay grapes as their base.

Crémant

Made in France using the méthode traditionelle - the term méthode champenoise has been banned outside Champagne since 1994. The crémants de Loire are the most commonly made, but other French regions with AOP (appellation of origin) can also make some, from Limoux to Bourgogne.

Prosecco

Around Venice, prosecco has been enjoyed and made for over 100 years. According to the tank method and from the white grape prosecco or glero. Since 2009, the name has been protected and wine from this region and with this grape has received the DOCG status - to prevent name and misuse.

Napa Sparkling Wine

Mumm, Chandon, Taittinger: big French champagne families managed to gain a foothold in the new wine country America. Local family businesses also got into sparkling. Los Carneros, an old, cool wine region near Napa and Sonoma, in particular, was heavily influenced by Champagne.

Sekt 

Germans are the world's biggest bubble drinkers, so they produce it themselves. The large bulk is made using the tank method: a second maturation in a closed tank. This method also comes from the French, from monsieur Charmat, and it called the méthode Charmat or méthode cuve close.

Cava 

The Spanish bubble has been made according to the metodo tradicional for 150 years. However, its main region of origin, Catalonia, near the coast of Barcelona, and land-grown grapes make its taste incomparable to champagne.

Spumante

This is the Italian word for sparkling wine. Unlike frizzante (half sparkling, which prosecco often is), the bubbles often come from second bottle fermentation. If it says metodo classico, that's for sure. Also a guarantee of champagne styleL the DOC classifications in areas Franciacorta and Trento.

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