Have you ever sipped on a delicious glass of champagne and wondered, how is this different from a sparkling wine? Is it in how they are made, the type of grape used, or where they are made? Similar to how all Kleenexes are tissues but not all tissues are Kleenexes, champagne and prosecco are both sparkling wines, but not all sparkling wines are champagne or prosecco.
Understanding the difference between champagne, prosecco, and sparkling wine is something all seasoned wine drinkers should understand. Before you purchase your next bottle of bubbly, continue reading to understand the difference.
How Champagne is Made
Champagne is a sparkling white wine often paired with celebrations or brunch. The sparkling wine itself is made with three grapes: pinot noir, Chardonnay, and pinot meunier. For many years, champagne was classified by the region in which it was made: Champagne, France. In 2006, however, an agreement between the U.S. and the European Union allowed some Californian wines to be classified as champagne. The drink has been used as a sign of luxury for a very long time. When you are drinking it, you should know it comes from the best vineyards and is made under strict regulations.
What is Prosecco?
Similar to champagne, prosecco is also an Italian sparkling white wine. The drink goes through a different fermentation process than champagne called the Charmat Method. This method puts a large amount of wine into tanks rather than individual bottles. When the method is done, the prosecco bottles are bottled under pressure. Glera grapes are primarily used to create prosecco, which were brought to the region of Prosecco in Italy many years ago. Prosecco is produced to drink at a much younger age than champagne and is great for big parties.
What is Different about Sparkling Wine?
Sparkling wine can be made anywhere in the world and is not tied to a specific region. There are various ways to make sparkling wine. Chardonnay and pinot noir are the most common grapes used in sparkling wine, but wine makers can use nearly any type of grape they should choose. Sparkling wine is great for any location, whether it is a picnic, a party, or even a mimosa.
When you look into the difference between sparkling wines, champagne, and prosecco, the differences are not that different. There are some fermentation, bottling, and grape differences as well as differences in technique and the region of growing and producing. If you have further questions or would like to learn more about developing different types and flavors of wine, visit our website.