Choosing between champagne and sparkling wine depends on bubbles, taste, and cost. Champagne is from Champagne, France, and is generally considered superior but more expensive. Taste should be the primary factor, but bubble content and cost can also influence the decision.
Choosing between champagne and sparkling wine depends on three fundamental factors: bubbles, taste and cost. Classically defined, the term “champagne” refers specifically to French champagne that has been made from grapes grown in the vineyards of Champagne, France. Sparkling wine is all the rest of the category. In a more general sense, the difference between champagne and sparkling wine is smaller bubbles, drier taste and higher cost; champagne is generally considered superior to sparkling wine.
If you’re not sure how to choose between champagne and sparkling wine, the best place to start is with your taste preferences. Authentic champagne has been aged longer than sparkling wine, resulting in a drier tasting drink. If you prefer fruity or light wines over drier selections, then sparkling wines may be the way to go. The amount of bubbles and the size of the bubbles in champagne and sparkling wine are also an indicator of taste.
In general, the smaller the bubbles, the more bubbles you’ll get in a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine. The amount of bubbles is an important deciding factor between champagne and sparkling wine, because the bubbles release the wine’s flavor into the mouth. The more bubbles there are, the more flavorful each sip of the drink will be when it hits your mouth. When choosing between champagne and sparkling wine, bubble content should be a secondary factor to consider, as taste is the primary factor.
The most obvious factor, and perhaps the most influential in decision making, is the cost component. Champagne is almost always more expensive than sparkling wine. This is partly because champagne is aged longer and is more complex than sparkling wine. In the case of authentic French champagne, it’s also more expensive due to where it’s made. No other wine – sparkling or not – can be defined as “champagne” under European law.
In Europe, champagne is only champagne if it comes from the Champagne region of France. All other champagne-like alternatives are simply sparkling. France sought international protection for the champagne label to maintain a worldwide standard for quality and taste. Following the example of France, more and more wineries from all over the world indicate on their labels the origins of the grapes used to produce their sparkling wines.
Perhaps one of the best tips for choosing between champagne and sparkling wine is to focus on the taste. Bubble content and cost factors can also influence your decision. If you decide on champagne, the best varieties are believed to be those that have their roots in Champagne, France.
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