Sparkling Wine 101

From holiday toasts to weekend brunch, sparkling wine is always in style. But what actually sets Champagne apart from Prosecco? Why is Cava such a hidden gem? And what exactly makes something sparkling wine instead of Champagne? Let’s pop the cork on the world of bubbles.

Champagne: The Gold Standard

Pick Champagne if… you love complex, refined bubbles rooted in time-honored tradition.

Champagne can only come from the Champagne region of France, and it earns its reputation through meticulous craftsmanship and patience.

• From: Champagne, France

• Key Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

• How It’s Made: Traditional Method, where the second fermentation happens in the bottle. Each bottle is eventually opened by hand to remove yeast before being re-corked — yes, really.

• Tasting Notes: Very dry and structured with notes of toast, brioche, almond, and subtle minerality

• Perfect Pairings: Oysters, fried appetizers, salty snacks

Featured favorites: Look for a few standout Champagnes on our shelves that show just how special this category can be.

Prosecco: Everyday Elegance

Pick Prosecco if… you prefer fresh, fruit-forward bubbles that are easy to love and easy to pour.

Prosecco hails from northern Italy and is all about brightness, approachability, and casual celebration.

• From: Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

• Key Grape: Glera

• How It’s Made: Tank Method, where fermentation happens in large stainless steel tanks rather than in the bottle

• Tasting Notes: Light, lively, and aromatic with green apple, honeydew, and white flowers

• Perfect Pairings: Charcuterie, light salads, fresh fruit, or enjoyed solo as an aperitivo

Featured favorites: Our go-to Proseccos deliver great value with crisp, crowd-pleasing charm.

Cava: Spain’s Best-Kept Secret

Pick Cava if… you love fine bubbles, dry styles, and Champagne-like quality without the Champagne price tag.

Cava is Spain’s answer to Champagne, using the same traditional method but with regional grapes and a lighter aging style.

• From: Spain, primarily the Penedès region of Catalonia

• Key Grapes: Macabeu, Parellada, Xarel·lo (plus Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Garnacha)

• How It’s Made: Traditional Method, just like Champagne, but typically aged for a shorter time

• Tasting Notes: Crisp and earthy with lime zest, preserved lemon, and subtle salinity

• Perfect Pairings: Soft cheeses, Spanish ham, paella, and savory rice dishes

Featured favorites: Keep an eye out for some incredible Cava picks that overdeliver in quality and value.

Sparkling Wine: Versatile & Global

Pick sparkling wine if… you want a flexible, all-purpose pour — or the perfect mimosa base.

Sparkling wine can be made almost anywhere in the world (outside of Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava regions), which means endless styles and price points.

• From: Anywhere around the globe

• Key Grapes: Varies widely, often Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or Riesling

• How It’s Made: Tank Method or Traditional Method

• Tasting Notes: Can range from dry and citrusy to fruity and sweet

• Perfect Pairings: Seafood, salty snacks, spicy dishes, or brunch classics

Featured favorites: Explore Oregon and California sparkling wines for domestic bottles that shine.

Extra Credit: Sparkling Wine Fun Facts

• Why “Champagne” is capitalized: It’s a proper noun, named after the region. Prosecco and cava aren’t — though we sometimes capitalize them anyway because… aesthetics.

• Sweetness Decoded:

  • Brut Nature / Brut Zero: Bone dry (0–3 g/L)

  • Extra Brut: Very dry (0–6 g/L)

  • Brut: Dry and most common (0–12 g/L)

  • Extra Dry: Slightly sweet (12–17 g/L)

  • Dry / Sec: Semi-sweet (17–32 g/L)

  • Demi-Sec: Sweet (32–50 g/L)

  • Doux: Very sweet (50+ g/L)

• Serving Tip: Chill, but don’t overdo it. Sparkling wines show best around 45–50°F. Too cold and you’ll mute all that delicious complexity.

• Perlage Matters: Those tiny, persistent bubbles in Champagne and Cava come from in-bottle fermentation. Prosecco’s larger, quicker bubbles are a hallmark of the tank method.