Contents
Champagne with sparkles (it is also mother-of-pearl champagne) is an invention of the Spanish producer of still and sparkling wines Torre Oria. The original drink has been produced under the Aviva brand since 2013, and the iridescent effect is created by the food coloring Candurin (Kandurin). Over time, other brands appeared on the market.
Characteristics. Mother-of-pearl champagne (correctly called sparkling wine) has a sweet fruity taste. The manufacturer deliberately wanted to move away from the bouquet of classic Cava or Prosecco, giving the drink “flavors of the Mediterranean Sea”. The classic grape varieties used in the production are Macabeo, Muscat and Airen. Fortress – 5.5% vol., sugar content – 40 g / l.
Champagne with sparkles is produced in four colors, but the taste does not change:
- Gold (gold);
- Blue Sky (blue sky);
- Pink Gold (golden pink);
- Rose (pink);
- Non-alcoholic.
The manufacturer calls Aviva “the most original sparkling wine in the world”, and the brand’s slogan sounds like “Shake up your life” (shake your life).
The founder of Torre Oria – Agustin Oria de Rueda – started with the production of silk, but then switched to the wine industry. The official history of the company begins in 1897, when Jose, the son of Augustine, built a large winery in Valencia. In 1993, Torre Oria became the first production outside the Catalan region of Penedès to officially produce sparkling Cava.
Other brands of mother-of-pearl champagne
The success of Aviva did not leave other manufacturers indifferent. You can find mother-of-pearl champagne of the following brands:
- Mavam (Spain). Producer: Bodegas del Saz. Species: Fortune, Glaciar, Vulcano, Beach, Magic, Tentation;
- Dream Line (Italy). Manufacturer: Cloudem. Species: Vulcano, Glaciar, Fortune, Rose Premium;
Russia has its own analogue – Avino;
- there are other, lesser known brands.
Depending on the type and brand, the bouquet of sparkling champagne is saturated with tones of peach, lychee, red fruits and berries, flowers, violets, citruses, etc. A common distinguishing feature is that such sparkling wine is always sweet and low-alcohol.
The inspiration for the “pearl champagne” was real French Luxor champagne with sparkles of pure gold 999.
Glitter champagne production technology
None of the producers describes in detail the technology for the production of mother-of-pearl wine. In the characteristics of the process, you can find general phrases, for example, “manufactured according to classical French technology using the latest equipment”, but the details remain behind the scenes. It is only clear that ordinary sparkling wine (sometimes non-alcoholic apple or grape juice) is taken as the basis, and sparkles are added at the very end.
The low alcohol content and fruity taste, apparently, are due to the “festive” nature of the drink: sparkling champagne is not intended for fine connoisseurs of the bouquet, but is designed for a wide audience of party lovers, primarily girls.
Is the dye dangerous?
Food coloring Kandurin is made from mica and is used in various products: decorate confectionery, chocolate eggs, add to children’s toothpaste, cosmetics, etc.
Although the dye is considered harmless, it is still not worth abusing it, so the recommended dose of “pearl champagne” does not exceed two or three glasses per evening.
How to drink sparkling champagne
Before pouring mother-of-pearl champagne into glasses, shake the bottle to lift the sparkles from the bottom and create a shimmering effect. The drink can be served as an aperitif or washed down with dinner.
Consumers note that pearly sparkling is well suited for a festive table and looks beautiful in photographs, but its taste leaves much to be desired.
Cocktails with mother-of-pearl champagne
- Mojito Blue Sky: Mash a few sprigs of mint in a glass, toss in a lime quarter, pour over ice. Pour in 50 ml of mojito concentrate, add 30 ml of white rum and 80 ml of Aviva Blue Sky. Sprinkle with brown sugar if desired.
- Gin Rose Tonic: mix 50 ml of gin and 100 ml of tonic, add 150 ml of Aviva Rose, serve with ice.
- Cosmopolitan Pink Gold: In a shaker filled with ice, mix 30 ml of vodka, 10 ml each of triple sec, lime juice, redcurrant juice. Pour everything into a glass, top up with 100 ml of Aviva Pink Gold, serve over ice.
- Margarita Gold: In an ice-filled shaker, mix 15 ml tequila, 10 ml triple sec, 20 ml lime juice, pour into a glass, top up with 50 ml Aviva Gold, serve with ice and a lime wedge.