The Bubbly Phenomenon! WORDS QUENTIN VON ESSEN In the vast universe of wines, one category stands out for its effervescence and celebratory spirit – sparkling wine. With its distinctive bubbles and lively character, sparkling wine has become synonymous with joyous occasions, from weddings, anniversaries and Christmas dinners to New Year’s Eve celebrations. Of all the wine styles, sparkling wine perhaps intrigues the most. The pop of a cork, the splash of foam, the bead of fine bubbles – nothing says celebration like a bottle of sparkling wine. It is the ultimate party starter, and driven by changing consumer attitudes, tastes and affordability, wine consumers are reaching for this ''bubbly wine'' like never before.
yhv 26 | DEC-JAN 2024
READ ONLINE
Since the late 1600s, Champagne or sparkling wine has been one of the most prestigious wine styles in the world, and as we roll into the festive season, you can be sure that we will soon all be hearing the joyful ''popping'' of corks as bottles of sparkling wine are opened to welcome in the new year. But not all sparkling wines are Champagne, and not all sparkling wines are made the same way. Champagne is a regionally protected name and can only be produced in the Champagne region of France. It can also only be produced in one way, and that is in a bottle using natural fermentation known as the Traditional Method (or Méthode Traditionnelle) and using only three grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
