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Champagne Questions, Answers, and Information.

© Audra Ligumsky

Are sparkling wines and Champagne the same?

Champagne is a region in France. Only wines made in this region can be labeled Champagne. The Champagne region has set up a council that is very quick to go into a legal battle with any company not in the Champagne region that uses the Champagne title. I have even heard that the council was trying to get a perfume company that labeled its fragrance "Champagne" to change the name.

Are sparkling wine and Champagne made the same way?

There are different methods to producing sparkling wine.Some producers use the traditional Champagne method and even the same grape varietals; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Others may vary slightly in there grape type or carbonation method. Wine making is like cooking each chief has there own recipe.

Is inexpensive sparkling wine worth buying?

It depends on your definition of "inexpensive", and your taste. Remember anything your taste buds enjoy is worth buying. Champagne has a inflated price over other sparking wine because of the term Champagne. People seem to equate the name Champagne with a luxury product and choose it over other worthy competitors without trying the others to make a personal decision. I feel there are many good sparking wine that don't carry the Champagne label or the price. Sparkling wine is not just for special occasions, so find one at a reasonable price that you enjoy anytime. Sparkling wine is a great way to treat yourself more often.

What does Doux on a label mean?

This term is used to describe the residual sugar or sweetness of Champagnes.
Brut - Very dry.
Extra sec - Dry.
Sec - Off-dry.
Demi-sec - Sweet.
Doux - Sweeter.
Each producer chooses there own product description so they are not standardized from vineyard to vineyard.

In Spain they call there sparkling wine Cava. They are the second leading producer in Europe. In Italy the sparkling wine is called Spumante.

A first glance indication of the quality of sparkling wine is the bubbles. You are looking for small fine bubbles that continue in the glass. Check to make sure they last for a good length of time.