Fancy some fizz?
Here’s our quick guide to Sparkling Wines

All over the world, sparkling wine is a popular choice to help toast all that life has to offer. 

With options to suit all budgets, whether you’re planning a big birthday, drinks reception, or even just a tribute to getting through Monday, this quick guide will help you pick the perfect fizz for the moment.

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Champagne

It hardly needs an introduction! Arguably the most famed sparkling wine, Champagne is world renowned for its luxurious quality and taste. True to its name, Champagne can only come from the Champagne region in Northern France and is exclusively made with three grapes – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Champagne production is a highly regulated, time consuming and meticulous process which explains the often hefty price tag.

For an indulgent, inviting and easy going Champagne, try Piper Heidsieck Brut Champagne. A delicious blend of 3 classic Champagne grape varieties, this Champagne is pale golden in colour, with aromas of almonds and hazelnuts and light flavours of fresh pear, apple and citrus. Cheers to that!

South African Cap Classique

South African Cap Classique, akin to Champagne in method but uniquely African, has garnered global acclaim for its sparkling finesse. Crafted using the traditional method, it undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, yielding effervescence and complexity. Renowned for its vibrant bubbles, Cap Classique boasts a diverse array of styles, from crisp and zesty to rich and toasty, often rivaling its international counterparts. With Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Chenin Blanc as primary varietals, each sip embodies the terroir of South Africa, marrying elegance and innovation. This effervescent gem stands as a testament to the nation’s burgeoning sparkling wine renaissance.

The Pongracz Rosé Methode Cap Classique is insane value for money sparkling Rosé! Made with Chardonnay & Pinot Noir, this champagne style sparkling evokes an air of romance with its delicate salmon pink hue. Delicate strawberry tones are layered with notes of baked bread, balanced with clean acidity and juicy blackberry fruit.

Prosecco

Prosecco has taken the UK by storm in the past decade – Brits are the second biggest drinkers of Prosecco, only beaten by the Italians themselves.  Produced in Italy with Glera grapes, Prosecco is made using the tank method for the second fermentation. This tends to make it more affordable, and removes the bready, yeasty characteristics that Champagne has.

For something a bit different yet delicious, try Della Vite DOCG Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore! We know the name is a mouthful, but we were really impressed when we tasted this Prosecco is by the Delevingne sisters – Cara, Poppy & Chloe.

Made from handpicked grapes grown high in the valley, the wine sings of ripe pears, chamomile, apples, crostini with gorgeously soft finish. The wine oozes class and complexity.

Cremant

The French didn’t just stop with Champagne, they gave us Cremant too! Cremant is the name given to sparkling wines produced outside of the Champagne region, but using the same technique – the ‘Méthode Traditionelle’, meaning it does have a similar taste profile to Champagne. Every region uses a different grape, in the Alsace you’ll find Pinot Blanc, and in the Loire it will often be Chenin Blanc.

English sparkling wine

Sparkling wines produced in England have been a fabulous success story, with many English bubbles beating Champagne in blind taste tests. Some even use the same grapes as the famous French fizz, and with many counties in southern England having a similar chalky soil and climate, it’s no wonder that the taste is comparable.

This Nyetimber Classic Cuvee from Nyetimber Wine Estate in West Sussex has a charming pale gold hue and delicate, fine bubbles. Toasty, spicy, and intricately aromatic, it showcases notes of honey, almond, pastry, and baked apple.