Best Bottles for New Years Eve
Let’s dive into some Champagne basics to find a dreamy bottle of bubbly for this year’s finale.
Champagne by Other Names
Many non-Champagne sparklers employ the same winemaking method but use different grapes. They’re well worth exploring.
Prosecco
Prosecco wines are Italy’s most popular sparklers. While it’s often compared to Champagne, it’s made with a different set of grapes and a different winemaking method. Learn More.
Franciacorta
Looking for creamy? This Italian region competes with top Champagne using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir–just like in France. Learn More.
Crémant
Francophile on a budget? Crémant de Loire enlists Chenin Blanc for citrus, pear, and honey notes. Learn More.
Cava
Love lean and dry? Look for Cava Gran Reserva. The vintage wines use a blend of Spanish grapes. Learn More.
Cap Classique
Rich and creamy South African sparkling wines often blend Chenin Blanc with Chardonnay. Learn More.
Wine Quiz
When is Liqueur de Tirage added, and what does it do?
- It’s added to stop the fermentation of fortified wines.
- It’s added to a still base wine to create a sparkling wine.
- It’s added to aromatized wines (vermouth) to stabilize it.
- It’s added to sparkling wine to sweeten it to its label level.
Scroll down for the answer!
Find Your Sweetness Level
Here’s a friendly breakdown of those sweetness-label terms.
- Extra-Brut and Brut Nature – Super lean, tart and dry. Lightest style and lowest calorie.
- Brut – Still dry, but with more body. This level gets you into more bready and creamy styles.
- Extra-Dry and Dry – Definitely fruity. This is your perfect match if you put a strawberry into your glass.
- Demi-Sec – Sweetness in a glass
Get more details and exact numbers on Champagne sweetness levels. Learn More.
Watch Wine Folly’s latest video on how to learn to choose the right Champagne for you with these 5 tips on a label. There are secrets right in front of your eyes.
Wine Quiz Answer
Answer is 2!
Liqueur de Tirage is a solution of still wine, sugar and yeast added to a base (still) wine to make it sparkling in the traditional sparkling winemaking method. Learn more about winemaking and get your certificate in Wine 201.
Start Your Wine Adventure
Learning about wine is fun! Open a bottle and discover the world of wine from your kitchen table with Wine Folly’s online Wine Courses. Learn More.