Popping the Bubble on California Sparkling Wines: A Guide on Sparkling Wines Around the World
We all love bubbles in our wine. They’re refreshing, easy to drink, and can be enjoyed with most foods for many occasions. We toast, sip, and celebrate with sparkling wines but the bubbly game can be complex. Pour yourself a glass and let’s take a tour decoding the sparkling wine world.
Champagne: The Classic
The first stop is France, where we find the best known bubbly: Champagne. Hailing from the Champagne region in France, this iconic sparkling wine is often a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot noir, and Pinot meunier. What makes Champagne special is its production method, known as méthode champenoise, which involves a secondary fermentation in the bottle. This is where the magic happens, giving Champagne its complex, toasty flavors and elegant bubbles.
All Champagnes are sparkling wines, but only sparkling wines made in the Champagne region of France can be called Champagne.
CARBONISTE Fact:
Carboniste Sparkling wines are made in méthode champenoise AKA the traditional method, like Champagne, but with a brighter flavor profile. CARBONISTE wines combine this technique with California’s grapes of different varieties creating wines that tend to be more vibrant and fruitful than Champagne.
Cava: Spain’s Bubbly Answer
Moving southwest from France, we land in Spain, where Cava takes the spotlight. Mostly produced in Catalonia, Cava uses a similar fermentation method to Champagne but often comes with a friendlier price tag. The primary grapes here are Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo, which contribute to Cava’s fresh, fruity profile with a hint of earthiness.
CARBONISTE FACT:
The OCTOPUS Sparkling Albariño, CARBONISTE’s signature wine, is inspired by the Albariño wines made by Spain’s neighbor, Portugal.
Prosecco: Italy’s Sparkle
Journeying over to Italy, we meet the ever-popular Prosecco. This sparkling gem comes from northeastern Italy, particularly Veneto. Unlike Champagne, Prosecco is made using the Charmat method, where the second fermentation happens in large steel tanks, making the process quicker and less expensive. This results in a light, apple-tinged sparkle that is served for many occasions, from brunch to wedding toasts.
CARBONISTE FACT:
CARBONISTE wines that are made in the traditional method create smaller and more elegant bubbles than Prosecco or other wines created in the Charmat (or tank) method.
Lambrusco: The Red Sparkling
While Lambrusco might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of sparkling wine, this Italian wine from Emilia-Romagna is worth your attention. It’s a red sparkling wine, ranging from sweet to dry, and it's bursting with flavors of berries and spice. A chilled glass of Lambrusco is a great partner for hearty meals.
CARBONISTE FACT:
Can anyone say Rouge Brute?! We’ve heard people say that the Rouge Brute is what Lambrusco should taste like! CARBONISTE’s Rouge Brute is a red sparkling wine made from Merlot and Albariño.
CARBONISTE: Popping the Bubble
After traveling around Europe we’ll head west to California where we’ll catch a mixed wave of sparkling wines. Many California sparkling wine houses are emulating French Champagne, however, they also have the cultural space to experiment. We can create something new with different grape varieties and blending methods to create uniquely vibrant bubbles.
If you taste our CARBONISTE Modern Sparkling Wines, then you will taste our mission to shake up the bubbly world. We chose not to follow the old-school playbook of mimicking France. Instead, we see the golden opportunity shimmering in the California sun. We looked at the exceptional fruit quality and the kaleidoscope of varietals thriving in our own backyard and thought, "Why settle for the same old creamy, brioche-laced bubbles?"
CARBONISTE highlights the grapes' true character, embracing and amplifying the local terroir to create sparkling wines that are distinctly Californian—and delightfully different.
Bottoms Up!
Whether it’s a sophisticated bottle of French Champagne, a lively Italian Prosecco, or a vibrant bottle of CARBONISTE Sparkling Albariño, there is a whole world of bubbles waiting to be explored. Remember, the best sparkling wine is the one in your glass.
Cheers to enjoying the exceptional world of sparkling wines!🥂✨