Champagne has been growing in popularity for a number of reasons including increasing availability and affordability as well as the taste.  Even more a factor is that nothing says “Celebration” like sparkling wine.

The name “Champagne” is technically used only for those sparkling wines made in the Champagne district of France.  Strict laws regulate the grapes used (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay), yield and the method of production (Méthode Champenoise).

However, all major wine-producing regions produce sparkling wines, some on a par with Champagne such as American Sparkling Wine from Napa, Sonoma and Washington State.  Other examples are German Sekt, Spanish Cava and Italian Prosecco and Spumante.  

People who appreciate Champagne generally prefer it classically dry even as many of the newest styles are leaning towards higher residual sweetness.  Perhaps this is to attract or accommodate newcomers to the genre.

As wine picks and recommendations are plentiful but sparkling wine suggestions are rare, we thought it would be useful to post a few facts and suggestions to keep in mind when choosing bubbly.

√ Vintage years are only granted to French Champagnes when the harvest year is especially good.  In other countries, it primarily designates the year from which the grapes are used.  These wines are the most variable of sparkling wine.

√ Non-Vintage wines are more consistent and representative of the “house style” of the brand as they are blended to maintain a signature.

√ “Brut” signifies the least amount of “dosage” or sweetness as opposed to “ExtraDry” or “Demi-Sec” which are actually sweeter.

√ Champagne does its aging before it is bottled.  With a few exceptions (i.e. “recently disgorged”), the younger vintage years are fresher and better.

Recommendations:

For classical champagne, choose NV Brut from well-known French marques or firms or NV Extra Dry if your taste runs to less dry.

The same French firms currently produce very good wines in California’s Napa, Sonoma, and Anderson valleys.  Their NV (and younger vintage) wines are good choices with significant price advantages.  Some stand-outs are Moët’s Domain Chandon, Roederer Estate, Domaine Carneros and Mumm Napa.

Major California wineries also produce high-quality sparkling wines, notably Schramsberg, Iron Horse and Gloria Ferrer.

Spanish Cava combines surprisingly high quality with low prices.

Italian Spumante and Prosecco are generally a bit lower in alcohol and medium dry with Spumante generally sweeter.

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The Quarterly Review of Wines selected 6 French NV Brut Champagnes for $45 or less:

• Laurent-Perrier NV L-P Brut
• Pommery Blanc de Blancs NV (made from Chardonnay grapes only)
• Deutz Classic NV Brut
• Perrier Jouët NV Brut
• Pol Roger NV Brut
• Taittinger Le Francais NV Brut