The Wine Experience               
Champagne vs. Sparkling Wine

You know, we love answering your questions about wine.  This time, we have an email from Carlene in Syracuse, New York.

Her question: “Is there a difference between Champagne and Sparkling Wine?”

Well, Carlene, Champagne is actually a legal term, and the real thing is more authentically French than the Eiffel Tower or smelly cheese!  Real Champagne only comes from the Champagne district of France

It’s made from certain kinds of grapes following an exacting, expensive and traditional process called “méthode champenoise.” That’s Mey-tode shaamp en waas.  That process explains some of those ooh la la price tags!

Anything else is technically and legally “sparkling wine.”  Now, there are some terrific sparkling wines from around the world, even right here in the USA from California and Washington, and including upstate New York near Syracuse.

Look for the words “Fermented in this Bottle” or “Méthode Champenoise” on the label to indicate a more interesting wine much like French champagne.

Sparkling wines are fine wines in their own right, too.  They’re just not Champagne.

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