What is the difference between sparkling wine and champagne?

Once we spent an evening with a friend over a glass of wine. I must say, a friend has a rare profession. He is a sommelier, works in one of the restaurants in our city.

The conversation, as usual, revolved around women and football. And then I remembered the question that my subscriber asked me, what is the difference between sparkling wines and champagne? The comrade began to enlighten me, and this is what I found out.

What wines are considered champagne

First of all, I was interested in information about what wines are considered champagnes. It turned out that the wine in order to get the status of champagne must meet at least 5 requirements. Namely:

1. The grapes from which the wine will be produced must be grown on the lands of the Champagne region in France.
2. The drink must also be made exclusively in Champagne.
3. Champagne is made only from certain grape varieties: white Chardonnay and red Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir (a few more varieties are allowed, but this is very rare).
4. Manufacturing technology is classic, it does not change over the years.
5. Champagne is kept for a minimum amount of time. Usually 15-18 months is enough. However, collectible, rare, exceptional stamps can withstand even 12 years.

Attention! Champagne, no matter what brand it is, has a golden color. Only if the drink meets these requirements, it can be called real champagne.

What wines are considered sparkling

Champagne is often confused with sparkling wine. Both drinks are carbonated, have a pleasant taste, and are not particularly strong. But only that alcohol can bear the name of sparkling wine, which:

1. Made using one of the methods: champagne, artificial carbonation, Sharma method.
2. It has a pleasant pink, red, cream or white color.
3. It is characterized by a large presence of carbon dioxide bubbles.
4. Produced in any region of the world. It does not matter.

In addition, almost all grape varieties are used to make the drink, and the preparation technology itself may change. It depends only on the desire of the manufacturer.

From all of the above, I concluded that sparkling drinks are cheaper and of lower quality. But my sommelier friend dissuaded me and said that I would have to pay more than 12000 rubles for a bottle of sparkling Guido Berlucchi. But Delamotte champagne can be purchased for quite affordable 6000 rubles.

Interesting fact! The most expensive champagne in the world costs about $2 million. This price is set for a drink Gout de Diamants (Gut de Demants).

What is the difference between sparkling and champagne wines

Yet the difference between the wines is not so noticeable. But she is. A person versed in alcohol will definitely determine what was served to him in a glass: real champagne or some kind of sparkling wine.

So, I want to summarize the knowledge gained during the discussion and highlight the main thing:

1. Champagne always has a golden color. Sparkling wine can be of any shade.
2. A sparkling drink is produced from any grape varieties, and champagne from only three.
3. Champagne cannot be carbonated artificially, while this method is often used in the manufacture of sparkling wines. This reduces the cost of the production process.
4. The most important condition: only a drink produced in the Champagne region has the right to be called champagne. All other alcoholic products are classified as sparkling wines. Even if the wine is produced in France, but in any other wine region, it will not be considered champagne!

From the foregoing, I concluded that most of us celebrate the New Year with a glass of sparkling wine, and not at all with champagne.

Which wine tastes better: champagne or sparkling

My friend never answered this question. He only smiled and said that there were no comrades for the taste and color. Of course, it is a great pleasure to drink a glass of real champagne produced according to ancient technologies without the addition of flavorings and artificial additives.

Sparkling wines are distinguished by a variety of tastes and aromas. You can choose a drink with nutty notes or give preference to wine, in which the presence of berries is guessed.

Or you can even choose sparkling with mother-of-pearl or, for example, bright blue.

Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Take care of yourself!

What do you think about this? Do you see the difference between drinks? Or maybe you have an interesting story related to this alcohol? Share your thoughts in the comments, we will discuss everything together.