When one speaks of Sparkling wines, the mind immediately runs to two undisputed protagonists: the Prosecco, symbol of sparkling and informal Italy, and the Champagne, icon of French luxury and refinement. Yet to limit oneself to these two appellations is to miss a universe of nuances, grape varieties, territories, and styles that enrich the Sparkling wine experience.
From Italy to France, from Spain to Germany to lesser-known regions, the landscape of Sparkling wines is far more diverse than one imagines. In this article we will find out what Sparkling wines are besides Prosecco and Champagne, analyzing their characteristics, territories and peculiarities.
Sparkling wines Italians: beyond the Prosecco
Italy is a true home of Sparkling wine, and to reduce it to just {{f9c3b7d1f32b28bcf875d7aa641e84}} would be reductive. Here are some of the more interesting designations.
1. Franciacorta (Lombardy)
Often regarded as the "Italian alternative to Champagne," Franciacorta DOCG is made in Lombardy using the Metodo Classico (the same used in Champagne).
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Grape varieties: chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot blanc.
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Style: elegant, complex, with aromas of ripe fruit, bread crust and mineral notes.
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Types: from Satรจn (more delicate and silky) to Rosรฉ, to the highly structured vintage wines.
For those who love Champagne but seek an Italian soul, Franciacorta is a perfect choice.
2. Trentodoc (Trentino-Alto Adige)
Trentodoc is another Italian excellence made with Metodo Classico.
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Grape varieties: chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot blanc and meunier.
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Characteristics: great freshness and minerality due to the altitude and Alpine climate.
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Style: Sparkling wine fine, citrus and floral aromas, with a distinct elegance.
Considered one of the Sparkling wines longest-lived wines in Italy.
3. Oltrepรฒ Pavese Metodo Classico (Lombardy).
Often less known to the general public,Oltrepรฒ Pavese is one of the Italian cradles of Pinot Noir.
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Main varietal: Pinot Noir, either pure or in blends.
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Style: Wines structured, with aromas of red fruits, spices and bread crust.
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Strength: excellent value for money.
4. Alta Langa (Piemonte)
Made with Metodo Classico, this is a Sparkling wine that is gaining more and more admirers.
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Grape varieties: chardonnay and pinot noir.
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Characteristics: long aging on yeasts, important structure and complex aromas.
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Territory: the hills of Piedmont, home of Red wines celebrities, who also show great vocation for Sparkling wine here.
5. More Italian Sparkling wines to discover.
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Lambrusco (Emilia-Romagna): sparkling and lively, more casual but perfect at the table.
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Erbaluce di Caluso Sparkling wine (Piedmont): fresh and mineral.
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Verdicchio Sparkling wine (Marche): elegant and versatile.
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Etna Sparkling wine (Sicily): mineral and savory, fruit of volcanic vines.
France: not only Champagne
France is not only Champagne. There are other areas that produce Sparkling wine of the highest quality.
1. Crรฉmant
The term Crรฉmant indicates Sparkling wines produced by the Classic Method, but outside the Champagne.
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Main areas: Alsace, Burgundy, Loire, Bordeaux.
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Characteristics: fresh, fruity, often more affordable than Champagne.
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Style: varied, from Alsatian floral to Loire mineral.
2. Blanquette de Limoux
According to some historians, this would be the first bubbly in history, born in Occitania before the Champagne.
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Grape varieties: Mauzac, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.
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Characteristics: freshness, notes of green apple, white flowers and honey.
Cava: Spain's Sparkling wine
Spain responds with Cava, made mainly in Catalonia with Metodo Classico.
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Traditional grape varieties: Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada.
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Style: fresh, citrusy, with notes of Mediterranean herbs.
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Current trend: more and more producers are focusing on quality and long aging, with Cava at a level comparable to Champagne and Franciacorta.
There is also the Corpinnat movement, born of producers who want to distinguish themselves with higher standards.
Sekt: the Germany of Sparkling wine
The term Sekt generically denotes the Sparkling wines tedeschi, but quality varies widely.
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Grape varieties: Riesling mainly, but also Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir.
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Characteristics: fresh, aromatic, with vibrant acidity.
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Best examples: the Riesling Sekt, which combine intense aromas and great longevity.
More Sparkling wines from the world.
The Sparkling wine does not end there:
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England: in recent years, vineyards in Sussex and Kent are producing Sparkling wines Metodo Classico of the highest standard, thanks to the cool climate and soils similar to those of Champagne.
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United States: mainly in California and Oregon, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vinified in Metodo Classico.
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Australia and New Zealand: excellent Sparkling wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, fresh and fruity.
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South Africa: using the Cap Classique method, elegant and aromatic.
Why choose Sparkling wines over Prosecco and Champagne
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Variety: a world of styles, from fresh Lambrusco to elegant Trentodoc.
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Price: many appellations offer excellent quality at prices below Champagne.
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Experience: discovering new territories and grape varieties makes tasting more exciting.
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Pairings: different Sparkling wines offer endless possibilities in the kitchen, from fish to meats to more elaborate dishes.
Conclusion: a universe of Sparkling wine to explore
The world of Sparkling wines is much wider than you think. {{f9c3b7d1f32b28bcf875d7aa641e84}} and Champagne remain undisputed mainstays, but alongside them there is a constellation of appellations, grape varieties, and territories capable of providing unique experiences.
From the elegance of Franciacorta to the freshness of Crรฉmant, from the history of Cava to the surprise of Sekt, not forgetting the new frontiers in England or South Africa: the Sparkling wine are endless, and each one tells a piece of territory and culture.
For wine enthusiasts, the invitation is clear: get out of the comfort zone and go out to discover lesser-known Sparkling wines, which often hold the most exciting surprises.
