While Champagne and Prosecco often dominate the sparkling wine scene, there’s a whole world of bubbles waiting to be explored. From the cool coasts of Canada to the sun-soaked hills of Tasmania, sparkling wines from all corners of the globe offer a wide array of styles, techniques, and flavour profiles. Let’s take a journey to discover these hidden gems beyond the famous French and Italian bubbles.
What Makes Sparkling Wine Possible?
The key to sparkling wine’s magic lies in cool climates. The freshness and acidity that define sparkling wines are influenced by regions with cooler temperatures, which allow the grapes to ripen slowly, retaining their natural acidity. This slower ripening process contributes to more concentrated flavours. Along with this, the terroir — the unique combination of climate, soil, and vineyard practices — plays a huge role in shaping the character of sparkling wines. Limestone, clay, schist, and volcanic soils, for example, add distinct minerality and complexity to the final product.
Sparkling wines also undergo a second fermentation, which is what creates their signature bubbles. This fermentation can take place in the bottle (the traditional method, used in Champagne, Franciacorta, and Cap Classique) or in a pressurized tank (the Charmat method, used in Prosecco). The choice of method, along with the terroir, helps to define the unique styles of sparkling wines.
Explore the diverse styles and let your taste buds travel from region to region – there’s no better way to celebrate life’s moments than with a glass of bubbles.
Canada: A Cool Climate Sparkle
Canada’s cool climate, particularly in regions like Nova Scotia and Prince Edward County, is perfect for sparkling wine production. The unique terroirs – rich in limestone and influenced by ocean breezes – add a distinctive freshness to these wines. The cool temperatures ensure slow ripening, preserving the acidity and balance that are essential for making high-quality sparkling wine.
Canadian Wineries to Explore:
- In Nova Scotia, Benjamin Bridge Winery has become a star in the world of sparkling wine, offering wines with vibrant orchard fruit, zesty citrus, and floral notes, all balanced by a fine mousse that’s earned international recognition.
- In Prince Edward County, Hinterland Winery is known for producing elegant, traditional method wines that are delicate yet complex, with notes of green apple, citrus, and a subtle touch of brioche.
United States: Beyond California Dreams
While Napa Valley often steals the limelight, sparkling wines from regions like New Mexico and Oregon offer a distinct take on bubbles. Napa’s warm days and cool nights, paired with volcanic and clay soils, provide a rich environment for sparkling wine production, resulting in wines with ripe fruit character balanced by fresh acidity. In New Mexico, the high altitude and arid climate create wines with deep flavours and crisp acidity, while Oregon offers a cooler climate that results in bright, vibrant sparkling wines.
Wineries in the United States to Explore:
- Domaine Carneros in Napa Valley combines French traditions with California terroir, producing sparkling wines with notes of baked apple, pear, and toasted almond.
- Gruet Winery in New Mexico is another standout, known for its Champagne-inspired wines with flavours of green apple, lemon zest, and a hint of minerality.
- Oregon’s sparkling wine scene is also worth noting, with wineries like Argyle Winery crafting wines that marry ripe fruit character with bright acidity, a perfect balance for bubbles.
Portugal: Hidden Gems in Távora-Varosa and Bairrada
Portugal’s sparkling wine regions, particularly Távora-Varosa and Bairrada, are becoming increasingly well known. Távora-Varosa’s granite and schist soils, combined with a continental climate, help produce wines with a complex aromatic profile and bright acidity. In Bairrada, the cool, humid climate and clay-limestone soils create wines with excellent freshness and a firm backbone of acidity.
Wineries to Explore:
- Murganheira Winery in Távora-Varosa is a top producer of sparkling wines made from native Portuguese varieties like Malvasia Fina and Gouveio, with wines offering citrus, floral, and toasty notes.
- In Bairrada, São Domingos Winery produces sparkling wines with a blend of red fruit, earthy undertones, and refreshing acidity, showcasing the region’s unique terroir.
Spain: Cava and Corpinnat
Spain’s Cava region, primarily in Penedès, is known for producing sparkling wines from indigenous grape varieties like Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada. These wines, made using the traditional method, offer a perfect balance of ripe fruit and vibrant acidity. The newer Corpinnat designation elevates premium Cava, focusing on wines made from organic, hand-harvested grapes, with an emphasis on freshness, complexity, and a true sense of place.
Wineries in Spain to Explore:
- Recaredo, one of the best producers in Corpinnat, offers biodynamic sparkling wines with a mix of ripe citrus, toasted bread, and a mineral finish.
- In Cava, Bodegas Valdemar in Rioja produces both classic and single-vineyard sparkling wines that highlight the diversity and potential of Spain’s sparkling wine scene.
France: Crémant’s Regional Charms
Crémant is France’s answer to sparkling wine outside of Champagne, and each region brings its unique terroir to the table. In Alsace, for example, granite and limestone soils, combined with a cool climate, produce wines with aromatic intensity and crisp acidity. In Limoux, a region in the Languedoc, Mediterranean influences and higher altitudes result in sparkling wines with fresh structure and a unique mineral edge. The Loire Valley, especially Saumur, is another hotspot, where tuffeau limestone soils give wines a distinctive minerality and finesse.
Wineries in France to Explore:
- Domaine Albert Mann in Alsace produces crémants that strike a balance between freshness and aromatic depth, with flavours of stone fruits and citrus.
- La Maison Antech in Limoux specializes in Blanquette de Limoux, with notes of green apple, honeysuckle, and almond.
- Bouvet-Ladubay in Saumur is a historic producer, offering elegant crémants that showcase the region’s rich minerality.
Italy: Franciacorta and Lambrusco
Italy’s Franciacorta region, nestled in Lombardy, produces some of the country’s finest sparkling wines, made using the traditional method. The glacially derived soils and temperate climate allow for slow ripening, which ensures balance and complexity in the wines. Further south in Emilia-Romagna, Lambrusco thrives on the region’s fertile soils, producing vibrant, fruit-forward sparkling reds that are perfect for pairing with a variety of foods.
Wineries in Italy to Explore:
- Ca’ del Bosco in Franciacorta is a leader in the region, producing traditional method wines with flavours of ripe peach, toasted nuts, and creamy textures.
- For Lambrusco, Ca’ de Medici creates food-friendly, sparkling reds with cherry, blackberry, and a refreshing balance of sweetness and acidity.
Germany: Sekt Sophistication
Germany’s cool-climate regions, from the slate slopes of the Mosel to the loam-rich Rheingau, produce some of the world’s finest sparkling wines. Sekt, often made from the country’s signature grape, Riesling, is known for its crisp acidity, minerality, and aromatic complexity. The cool temperatures foster slow grape ripening, ensuring a perfect balance of fruit and acidity.
Wineries in Germany to Explore:
- Raumland is a top producer of premium Sekt, creating wines with notes of green apple, apricot, and brioche.
- Schloss Wachenheim, one of Germany’s historic sparkling wine houses, produces a wide range of Sekt styles to explore.
South Africa: Cap Classique’s Brilliance
South Africa’s Cap Classique wines, made using the traditional method, have earned a reputation for their quality and precision. The country’s diverse terroirs, ranging from coastal regions to higher-altitude vineyards, create wines with fresh acidity and vibrant fruit character. Sunny days and cool nights provide the perfect conditions for full grape ripeness and bright acidity, resulting in sparkling wines that are balanced and refreshing.
Wineries to Explore:
- Graham Beck is a well-known producer of Cap Classique, crafting wines with tropical fruit, citrus, and a creamy finish.
- Boschendal’s Cap Classique offerings reflect the diverse potential of South Africa’s sparkling wine scene.
Tasmania: Sparkling Down Under
Tasmania’s cool climate and extended growing season, combined with its diverse soils—basalt, sandstone, and quartz—make it an ideal location for sparkling wine production. The island’s maritime influence ensures steady ripening, resulting in wines with delicate complexity and freshness. Tasmania’s sparkling wines reflect the region’s unique terroir, with a range of styles that showcase both finesse and power.
Wineries in Tasmania to Explore:
- Jansz Tasmania exemplifies the region’s potential with wines that feature green apple, lemon curd, and a fine mousse.
- House of Arras also produces exceptional sparkling wines, capturing the essence of Tasmania’s cool-climate terroir.
