What Is The Difference Between Sparkling Wine and Champagne?

Sometimes it can seem like sparkling wine and champagne are the same thing. After all, they are both the same colour, they are both sparkling, and sometimes it can even seem like they taste the same!

However, you shouldn’t let the bubbles and the colour trick you. While the two drinks do look similar, there are a few essential differences between the two alcoholic drinks. Here are the main differences between sparkling wine and champagne.

Champagne has a different Flavour Profile

Champagne is partially named after the grapes that are used to make it. The grapes are grown in an area with a mild climate and mineral rich soil, which gives the grapes a very uniqueflavour. While there are lots of different types of grapes available, champagne is only made using a select handful of different grapes. These grapes include Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier and Arbane.

Champagne comes from Champagne

According to Champagne.Fr, champagne is named after the area where it is grown and bottled.

The area is, unsurprisingly, called Champagne, and it is in France. The only labels that are allowed to legally say ‘Champagne’ are the ones that are bottled within 100 miles of Champagne, ensuring that all champagne has the same quality taste. If you are looking for quality online wine merchants in Northern Ireland, check out http://thewinecompanyni.com/.

It may seem like a small area, but they definitely know what they are doing. In fact, the Romans were making champagne as early as 400 AD.

Champagne is made differently

Champagne is also made differently to sparkling wine. The process of making champagne is called the MéthodeChampenoise, which is a two-step fermentation process that turns the grape juice into alcohol. The juice is then bottled to trap the CO2 gas that makes the drink sparkle.

The whole process is very labour intensive, as the winemakers have to add yeast, sugar and yeast nutrients as time passes to enhance the flavour.

It is also worth noting that the production of champagne is monitored by the Appellation d’OrigineControlée, who decide how the grapes must be grown. For instance, one rule states that all of the grapes that are used must be handpicked, and then later they must be pressed in a covered environment