Champagne/Sparkling Wine

Many sparkling wines made after the style of Champagne, but only those made in that Champagne region in the north of France, according to the painstaking Méthode Champenoise, can rightfully be called Champagne. All others should be labeled as Sparkling Wine.

Champagne and sparkling wines are produced by the process called "Méthode Champenoise." After the grapes are pressed and fermented for the first time, they are blended, and the wine is bottled and temporarily capped. Then comes the second fermentation. Sugar and yeast are added, and this time, the carbon dioxide is kept inside the bottle. The resulting sediment is extracted through a process of racking. The bottles are progressively turned upside down until all the sediment is collected in the neck. The necks are then frozen and the sediment is disgorged. After this phase, the winemaker may decide to add sugar to sweeten the wine. Finally the wine is corked. Some wines move through this process in a couple of months, while others are aged after the racking phase to build greater complexity and depth.

 

Featured Sparkling Wine Selection

Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne Buy Now! $40.99 It is pale gold with a delicate and fine bead in appearance. On the nose there is subtle spice and hints of citrus with warm toasty notes balance the freshness of fruit. It carries a medium bodied and very easy on the palate. Perfectly balanced: a soft mouthfeel belies the strong structure of the wine. Finishes clean yet delicately lingers. Buy Now! $40.99