Rose champagne infinite bubbles
The bubbles of sparkling wines (‘vins mousseux’) is what gives them a unique refreshing quality. Champagnes are of course the most famous of all, and are synonym of festive times and luxury. Nevertheless, there are many outstanding sparkling wines made elsewhere waiting to be experienced.
Sparkling wines can present different qualities of ‘fizz':
— Un vin perlant ou perlé is a light sparkling wine (some muscadets, gaillacs or wines of Savoie).
— Un vin pétillant is a wine with higher levels of carbon dioxide with a longer and more distinct stinging sensation in the mouth due to the dissolving gases.
— Un vin mousseux is a wine that presents the highest levels of fizz, with the greatest number of bubbles once the bottle is opened, with a generous foam (‘mousse’) when poured into a glass. Champagnes and Crémants are the most celebrated examples.
Traditional 'Remuage' or riddling of sparkling wines
The term ‘Champagne’ is a fiercely protected name, and no sparkling wine can be called such unless it originates from that specific region of France. Besides Champagne, Crémants are the other sparkling wines that benefit from the AOC label (‘Appellation d’Origine Controllée’) which attest the characteristics, production methods and authenticity specific to their region. There are six Crémants AOC: Alsace; Bourgogne; Loire; Limoux; Jura; and Bordeaux.
Chardonnay grapes being put in shallow bins specifically for sparkling wines
Like Champagnes, these Crémants are the result of a second fermentation in bottle. Once in bottle, sugar & yeast are added to the white wine, and a second fermentation occurs which is responsible for the bubbles. Crémants tend to be fruiter and fresher both in nose and taste whereas Champagnes present a more mineral and chalky character.
Though some sparkling wines can be made with a similar process, many use a simpler and less costly method in order to produce greater volumes of wine. These wines are pleasant but display bigger bubbles, which is often a hallmark of inferior sparklers.
A creamy and fine bubbling wine cuts nicely with rich and sweet dishes and thus pairs harmoniously with most desserts. They also make a perfect match for aperitifs, the delightful snacks and other appetizers served before a joyful meal. Explore the fascinating palette of French sparkling wines!
