Know your bubbles
A guide to the world’s famous sparkling wine
A guide to the world’s famous sparkling wine
PROSECCO
Italy
Region
Veneto
Grapes
Glera
Production method
Charmat
Bottle fermentation
No
Bottle pressure
2.5 -3 Atmosphere
Bubbles
Light & Frothy
Vintage
Uncommon – Introduced 2009
Cost per bottle
From £7
Sweetness
Brut (0-12 g/L)
Extra-Dry (12-17 g/L)
Dry (17-32 g/L)
Bottles produced
307 million (2013)
CHAMPAGNE
France
Region
Champagne
Grapes
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier Chardonnay
Production method
Champenoise
Bottle fermentation
Yes
Bottle pressure
6 – 7 Atmospheres
Bubbles
Fine
Vintage
Some Years
Cost per bottle
From £15
Sweetness
Brut Nature (0-3 g/L)
Extra Brut (0-6 g/L)
Brut (0-12 g/L)
Extra-Dry (12-17 g/L)
Semi-Dry (32-50 g/L)
Sweet (50+ g/L)
Bottles produced
304 million (2013)
CAVA
Spain
Region
Catalonia (95%)
Grapes
Macabeu, Parallada Xarello (&Others)
Production method
Traditionnelle*
Bottle fermentation
Yes
Bottle pressure
4+ Atmospheres
Bubbles
Fine
Vintage
Uncommon
Cost per bottle
From £8.50
Sweetnessg
BruBrut Nature (0-3 g/L)
Extra Brut (0-6 g/L)
Brut (0-12 g/L)
Extra-Dry (12-17 g/L)
Semi-Dry (32-50 g/L)
Sweet (50 g/L)
Bottles produced
242 million (2014)
* Champenoise & Traditionnelle methods are the same, however winemakers in Champagne can legally label their product method Champenoise. ** Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
* Driest to sweetest (g/L) = The amount of sugar in grams per litre.