Sparkling Wine – It’s Only Bubbles, Darling!

According to Charles Dickens, “Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life.”

Indeed, nothing is as elegant or as luxurious as a fabulous glass of champagne. Even those who can’t afford to sip champagne on a regular basis can enjoy many of the same tastes and sensations by indulging in one of the many other types of sparkling wine. Essentially, all sparkling wines are wine that has been made fizzy with carbon dioxide. That process can take place through natural fermentation or with a quick injection, and it’s the difference in what causes prices that range from budget to sell-your-flat-for-a-bottle expensive. Whatever your budget or taste preferences, you can find sparkling wine online that will be the perfect fit for you. Here are some of the different sparkling wines that you might want to enjoy on your next girl’s night out or romantic night in.

Semi-Sweet and Slightly Sparkling: Moscato

If you are looking for a champagne replacement, a Moscato can fit the bill perfectly. All Moscato wines, sparkling or not, are made from the Moscato Biano grapes in Asti, Italy. Typically, these sparkling wines are slightly lower in alcohol content than many similar bubbly favourites, and they can have anywhere from six to eight percent alcohol. For this reason, Moscatos are a favourite for drinking on a hot summer day since they won’t dehydrate you too quickly. Moscatos are only slightly sweet, which is a big advantage if you are mixing it in cocktails with other sweet ingredients.

Champagne’s Cheaper Cousin: Prosecco

If you love the taste of champagne but can’t afford it on a regular basis, then Prosecco may be the ideal replacement. Prosecco is made in Italy, but the manufacturing process is much faster than the labour-intensive way that traditional Champagne is made. For this reason, it is cheaper to purchase across the board, but the larger bubbles are noticeable to serious Champagne lovers. This is a great pick if you want to sip it on its own, make a toast or serve it for a cocktail party.

Full-Bodied and Fruity: Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a type of grape that gets used in everything from Champagne to Prosecco to Sekt, but it is usually balanced with other varietals like Pinot Gris, Riesling or Chardonnay. Believe it or not, Pinot Noir grapes have red skins, but they can be used to make white sparkling wines. If a rose or a red sparkling wine is desired, winemakers can leave on the skin for a deeper colour. Pinot Noir sparkling wines are ideal for someone who wants a really fruity taste and smell without a lot of acidity.

German Bubbles: Sekt

For something new, many Aussies are picking up a bottle of Sekt, which is a type of sparkling wine from Germany. These wines are known for their serious bubbles, and it often tastes smoother and more luxurious that other sparkling wines. Despite the smooth taste, they are reasonably priced and often for sale for less than $12 per bottle. Since they are rare in Australia, buying a bottle online is a great way to show off to fellow wine lovers.

Brut, Extra Brut and Demi-Sec: What Does It All Mean?

When you buy a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine, you will typically see a word or phrase on the label that lets you know how sweet the bottle is. If you are buying Champagne, Brut Natural is the driest and least sweet option, Brut is the most common choice and Demi-Sec is one of the sweetest options. If you buy a bottle of sparkling wine from somewhere like Spain, Portugal or Germany, they will typically use the same classifications. Otherwise, look for words meaning either dry or sweet.

Champagne and other sparkling wines are more than just a beverage with bubbles. A glass is a way to celebrate something wonderful, toast a great friend, provide refreshment after a long day and set the tone for a night of fun. Whatever your budget or your preference, you can find a bottle that is the perfect fit for you.