My sister graduated from high school today, and in preparation for the graduation party, wine for toasting was bought in GREAT quantities. The decision was made to purchase a variety of sparkling wines, including some good Champagne. It is important to note that all sparkling wines are not necessarily Champagne. As a rule, only bottles from the Champagne region of France may be labeled Champagne. However, you can find outstanding sparklers from wineries around the globe. These wines must be labeled as something other than Champagne, such as sparkling wine, cava or cremant – but they are just as perfect for toasting a special occasion such as a graduation.
While some sparklers do a great job of standing in for Champagne’s elegant bottles, other bubblies are unique. Many of these great “alternative” sparkling wines come at much lower price tags than pedigreed Champagnes.
Even in France, luscious sparkling wines aren’t only the domain of Champagne ; in fact, sparkling wines are made all over the country. Some fine examples are the sparkling wines from the Loire Valley; some are labeled Cremant de Loire, while other sparklers may be labeled by sub-regions, such as Vouvray or Saumur. Most will be made with the lush, fruity, brightly acidic Chenin Blanc grape.
Spain’s sparkling wines are produced predominantly in the Catalonia region of Spain and are most often labeled cava, which is the Catalan word for an underground cellar. Cava is primarily made from grapes typical of the region. Aside from being loved for their wallet-friendly price (you can easily find bottles for under and around $10), cavas are known for being nicely crisp and fruity, but not quite as acidic as a French Champagne.
Italy definitely has its illustrious high-end sparkling wines at high prices; however, when you’re looking for an easy-sipping crowd-pleaser, try Prosecco. It’s fruitier than Champagne and not quite as fizzy. Lighter in body, it’s also a good choice for holiday brunches.
For California sparkling wines, look for the word “Carneros” on your label, which is a growing region that straddles both Napa and Sonoma counties. It is one of the country’s best places to grow those quintessential Champagne, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. The words “methode traditionelle” on the label means the wines were made in the same labor-intensive manner used to make French Champagne.
If you’re ready for something off the beaten path, look for sparkling Shiraz from Australia. It’s definitely a sparkling wine of a different color, but it’s a good choice when you want the festivities of bubbles, but crave the heft of something red.
Many of these bottles will be present at the graduation party, and I look forward to sharing them with friends and family. If she’s lucky, I may even allow my sister a glass (don’t tell the Voorhees police department).
