A rare holiday is complete without a feast. Birthdays, weddings, corporate events are a reason to gather loved ones and have a good time with them. Alcoholic drinks are an indispensable attribute of the festive table, and sparkling wines give it a special solemnity.
A pleasant aroma, a mesmerizing appearance of bubbles striving to escape from the glass, cotton when opening - all this sets you up for a good time.
In this article, we will find out what sparkling wines are, their main differences, find out how to choose and where to buy a good bottle, as well as what to look for in order not to make mistakes when choosing.
Content
Before going to the store for a bottle of wine, you need to decide what type of drink you want to purchase. There are two main production technologies in the world: traditional and accelerated.
The first, classical, was discovered in France, and is based on natural fermentation, which takes place directly in the final containers, and takes several years. This technology is used to make not only French and Spanish, but also most of the Crimean wines.
The second method is reservoir fermentation, which consists in the fact that all processes take place in large reservoirs. Most of the Russian products are manufactured using this method. You don't need to be a sommelier to understand that the first method is preferable, since the product obtained in this way has a richer taste and aroma, and it takes longer to open.
There is also a method called saturation, in which case the contents of the bottle are artificially saturated with carbon dioxide. The most budget wines are made in this way.
It is also necessary to consider which dishes will be accompanied by alcohol. For the main ones, brut varieties are suitable. Such varieties most fully reveal and complement the taste of appetizers, meat, fish and side dishes. Desserts are best complemented with semi-sweet and sweet champagnes.
An important selection criterion is the country of production. The best drinks are produced in France, Italy, Spain, Georgia. With a limited budget, you can also consider Russian products, while you should pay attention to the fact that they are made from local raw materials.
Tips and tricks from experienced sommeliers:
When choosing, do not forget to pay attention to the expiration date of the product - you should not buy the product if it comes to an end - the taste of such a wine will hardly please you.
The Russian-made product is popular with customers and can be found in any store that sells alcohol. This is due not only to the budget price, but also to the excellent taste. As the name implies, the drink is made in Moscow (more precisely, in the Moscow region, Ramenskoye settlement), and belongs to the category of white wines, since only white grape varieties were used as raw materials. Buyers note the beautiful straw color, rich aroma, and moderate strength of the wine - 8%. Many people like small, mesmerizing perlage (formation of small bubbles). The aroma of wine can be distinguished by notes of apricot, peach, and other fruits.
For fans of historical facts, the history of its creation will be interesting. The wine was made for the Moscow governor Sergei Alexandrovich in 1899 using the classical method.
According to customer reviews, this wine is pleasant to drink, it has a sweetish taste, without acidity. The next day, there is no headache or unwellness, as is often the case with cheap alcoholic products. The average price is 180 rubles.
The review is continued by a representative of Italian origin. Its name mentions the grape variety from which the champagne is made - Lambrusco. This wine is made from red grapes, mainly in the Emilia-Romagna region. Initially, alcohol of this variety was red in color, but over time, producers under this brand began to produce rosé and white wines.
Producer Ruinite is the world's largest producer of Lambrusco (with a market share of over 50%). Since he specializes in this type of grape and knows the peculiarities of its collection and preparation, many sommeliers recommend trying Lambrusco wines from this particular company.
The drink is pale pink in color and has a delicate and pleasant aroma with a strawberry aftertaste.
Of the features of the product, a screw cap can be distinguished, which allows you to take a bottle to nature in a women's company and open it without hindrance. The wine goes well with meat, snacks and desserts. There is no headache in the morning.
On the Internet, you can find a large number of reviews about this Lithuanian champagne. Most of them claim that its taste is of high quality and will not leave anyone indifferent.
The product contains the following ingredients: white wine, sugar, citric and ascorbic acid, natural aromas with apple, mango and papaya flavors. It goes well with light snacks, cheese slices, sweet desserts, etc. The wine bubbles well, has a pleasant straw color. The taste is sweet, many customers even note excessive sweetness.The aftertaste is pleasant, not cloying, with a light fruity-floral aroma. There is a slight sourness, no bitter aftertaste remains. The fortress is low - only 7.5%.
The bottle is closed with a plastic stopper. She herself is dark green, with a white or golden label. A white label indicates a semi-sweet drink, a golden label indicates a sweet one. The average price is 340 rubles.
The product is produced in Abkhazia and belongs to a rare category - red sparkling. The Lykhny brand has been known since Soviet times; many aged people believe that its quality has been tested over the years. Wine is sold in a beautiful bottle, which is packed in a box, perfect as a gift for any celebration.
Unusual for such a product color saturation, high-quality composition - such grape varieties as Isabella, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot were used for the production. The pleasant aroma and berry aftertaste make many people buy this brand again and again.
The grape drink is strong enough - 12% alcohol, sugar - 40-55 g / dm3. Buyers note a large amount of foam - even in a chilled liquid, the foam cap occupies up to half of the total volume. The average price of a bottle is 300 rubles.
The Italian brand is well known to connoisseurs of sparkling wine. The wine in question is a semi-sweet white sparkling wine. The product is made from White Muscat grapes. According to the technology, the fermentation process is not completely completed before bottling, so bacteria do not have time to process all the sugar, which is why the wine has a pleasant sweetish aroma. Secondary fermentation takes place in special tanks, after which the liquid is poured under pressure into containers.
All buyers note, first of all, the unusual design of the product - a black bottle with red inscriptions immediately attracts attention. All this is in a gift cardboard box with an extruded crocodile. Such a gift will not leave anyone indifferent. No less remarkable is the taste of the wine - with a low strength (alcohol content is only 7%), a pleasant light and fruity aroma, with a slight sourness.
Sparkling wine is recommended to be consumed with pastries, cheese slices, sweet desserts, nuts and fruits. Recommended serving temperature - 7-8 ° С, storage - up to 25 ° С. The bottle can be stored for up to 5 years in a closed state, in an open state - no more than 3 days. The average price without a stock is 800 rubles, for a stock - 600 rubles.
The review is continued by another representative of Italian sparkling wines - Gancia. According to the description on the packaging, the champagne is produced in the Piedmont region and consists of rare grape varieties - brachetto and muscat. Fortress - 7%.
A large bottle packed in a pink wrapper immediately attracts attention with bright foil. The container, narrow at the top, gradually expands downward. Natural cork indicates that the manufacturer is concerned that his products retain their qualities for a long time.
The taste of the wine is delicate and soft, with a pleasant aftertaste. The glass is drunk in one breath. Perfect for any kind of cheese, chocolate and fruit.
Champagne is suitable as a gift, and will delight you not only with its presentable appearance, but also with a pleasant pink color of the contents, and an indescribable aroma. The average price of a bottle is 700 rubles.
This sparkling wine is not as popular as Martini Asti, however, it is almost in no way inferior to it - neither in quality, nor in aroma, nor in price. Country of origin - Italy, region - Veneto, fortress - 11.5%. It is made from grape raw materials of the Glera variety.
White wine has a pleasant delicate taste, which gradually reveals pear, apple, grapefruit tints. The drink belongs to the dry category, so it is not suitable for all champagne lovers. It is easy to drink, there is a mild sourness and bitterness in the aftertaste. Champagne goes well with cheeses, white meat, fish, fruits and chocolate, seafood, spicy Asian dishes. The average price of a bottle is 950 rubles.
The appearance of the bottle is classic - made of dark green glass, with a white label, which contains information about the origin of the drink, composition and strength. The decoration is noble, not flashy, but eye-catching. The product is made from Macabeo, Xserelo, Parellado grapes.
Despite the fact that the sweetness of the champagne belongs to the category of brut - dry, buyers note that it tastes more like semi-dry. The taste of the drink is clean, without foreign flavors, it will suit not only sweet dishes and desserts, it goes well with meat and fish dishes, cheeses, spicy snacks and other side dishes. There is a slight sourness characteristic of this type of champagne.
The wine is easy to drink, does not cause discomfort, the next day there is no headache. The shelf life of the product is 2 years. The minimum storage temperature is 13 ° C, the maximum is 20 ° C, which is not always possible to observe in the apartment. The sugar content is 7 g / l. The cost of a bottle is 670 rubles.
This Italian-made champagne has a DOC category, which indicates its high quality. Made from Prosecco grapes, called Serprino in Italy. It grows grapes in the Veneto province, and is well suited for basic sparkling wines. According to the manufacturer's classification, drinks from this grape variety cannot be sweet or semi-sweet, most often they are dry or semi-dry, and are suitable for a large number of snacks, fish and meat.
The bottle has an unusual design, made of black glass and covered with thorns. Such a design not only attracts attention, but also sets the mood, hinting at something secret, intimate.
The bottle opens easily, since the champagne is not very carbonated. The drink is easy to drink, leaves no aftertaste. The aroma is weak, due to the used grape variety. The average price is 840 rubles, the strength is 11%.
The birthplace of this champagne is Crimea, Sudak region, Novy Svet. The wine is made in the classical way from four grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot, Wrestling Rhine, Aligote. After the drink is poured into final containers, it is aged in accordance with the tradition for about 9 months in the cellars of the famous prince in Crimea. The wine is made using carbon dioxide, all the bubbles in the bottle are of natural origin, which distinguishes it from artificial sparkling champagne.
The drink is recognized as one of the best according to Roskachestvo. It is easy to drink and has a pleasant honey flavor. The next day, you feel good. The average price of champagne is 660 rubles, the strength is 13.5%.
Another representative of Russian winemaking belongs to the category of collection wines, and is produced at the famous factory of the Russian Champagne House "Abrau-Dyurso", which was founded in 1870. The products of this brand have always been distinguished by high quality, harmonious bouquet and rich taste. For the production used grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc.
Champagne goes well with any side dishes, salads, meat and fish appetizers, cheeses. Pleasant taste with fruity and floral nuances will not leave anyone indifferent. There is a slight bitterness. Active bubbling ends quickly, the foam does not last long.
To maintain all characteristics, the manufacturer recommends storing the drink at a temperature of 5 to 20 ° C. The average cost is 510 rubles.
This time, the products of the French brand Pierre Sparr were examined. The wine is made from red grapes grown in Alsace. The collection of raw materials is carried out exclusively by hand. The drink is prepared using the secondary fermentation technology, in which the after-fermentation is carried out in the final container. After the fermentation process is over, the drink is stored in the cellar for 3 years. Then it can be consumed for 5 years.
Champagne goes well with fish, cheeses, side dishes. Can be used as an aperitif. Strong drink (12%), with a pleasant aftertaste (lemon, strawberry, pepper, apricot, strawberry notes). Perlage is stable, combined with a beautiful pink color creates a mesmerizing effect. The average price of champagne is 1,000 rubles.
This elite champagne is produced in France, in the Champagne province. It combines three varieties of white grapes - Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay. Wine is made in a traditional way, aged from two to four years. In order to give it a rich taste and aroma, up to 30% of reserve wines are added to it during fermentation.
Champagne is considered one of the best in the world, according to the latest research, a bottle of this brand is opened every two minutes in the world every day. The drink has a pleasant grape taste and aroma with notes of green apples, citrus fruits, flowers, and minerals.Since the strength of the wine is 12%, together with the active bubbles, it quickly creates a feeling of intoxication that does not let go for a long time.
Separately, it is worth talking about the design of the product - champagne is packed in a snow-white box with golden inscriptions, which immediately attracts attention. The average price of a pack reaches 3,000 rubles.
The name of the brand has nothing to do with the famous automobile concern, it was created by the surname of the winemaker, which is common in Italy and sounds the same. For the first time, the products of this winery were released back in 1902. The owner had no heirs, and transferred it into the possession of another winemaker, who managed to properly organize the work and bring fame to this brand.
Champagne has a pleasant straw color, the bubbles tend upward evenly. The taste of grapes is practically not felt, there is an aftertaste with fruity notes. The drink is easy to drink, practically has no sourness. This is due to the variety of grapes used - Chardonnay.
The product from the province of Trento will be a good addition to various snacks, due to its neutral taste, it goes well not only with meat, fish and cheeses, but also perfectly complements desserts, fruits and sweets. The price of a bottle is 1,100 rubles.
The company "Veuve Clicquot" is known worldwide as a manufacturer of quality champagne. There are many legends associated with this brand. One of them says that when, during the Russian-French war, soldiers burst into the widow's basement, began to drink wine, and she was informed about it, she said: "Let them drink, they will come back here!" Another version of the ending - "today they will drink, tomorrow they will pay."
Champagne got its name from the name of its founder. A young woman named Barbara married his son, who died six years later, and she took over the management of the huge concern. At that time, there was no concept of a woman manager, and she had a very difficult time. However, she coped, managing to bring the winery to the level of the world famous. Now it is difficult to find a person who has not heard about this brand, and all this thanks to the motto that they have brought to life - "There is no other quality than the best."
Champagne is packaged in a colorful yellow bottle that immediately grabs attention. On it, as on the label, there is a trademark of the House of Clicquot - an anchor, which speaks of reliability. The wine is made from several grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier. From the characteristics of the drink, it can be noted that its shelf life is not limited, subject to storage conditions (dark ventilated room, without direct sunlight, odors, with a relative humidity of no more than 85%, and a temperature of 5 to 20 ° C). After opening the bottle, the product must be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days. Champagne is easy to drink, it goes well with both main courses and desserts, snacks. Packing price - 3 900 rubles.
This is one of the most expensive champagnes on the market. It is produced in France in the famous Champagne region. Grape raw materials are harvested only by hand, and after the first fermentation they are poured into oak barrels. After the end of the process, for the final tincture, it is bottled and stored for at least 5 years.
The name translates from French as "white of white", and denotes the highest level of champagne.Made from only one variety - Chardonnay. In the family of the creator of the winery, the drink is opened exclusively for large family celebrations. The color of the champagne is golden with a transition to green. The aroma of grapes is combined with notes of walnut, citrus, dried fruit, honey. The product is recommended to be consumed with delicious snacks, meat, fish. Strength - 12%, shelf life - up to 10 years. The price for a bottle can reach 12,500 rubles.
When choosing which brand of champagne is better to buy, we recommend deciding in what setting and with what dishes it will open. Sweet and semi-sweet varieties are well suited for desserts, pastries, fruits; for side dishes, meat, fish, it is better to purchase brut sparkling wine.
When buying, it is definitely recommended to study the composition, check the expiration date, strength and sugar level. An important factor is also the price of a bottle - the more expensive it is, the more solemn the moment of its opening should be.
We recommend buying sparkling wine in a stationary store, preferably a specialized store, in which case the probability of running into a fake tends to zero. Despite the fact that the sale is dominated by classic brands loved by customers, we advise you to periodically discover new items in the field of winemaking and try new, interesting aromas. We hope that our article will help you understand the whole variety of sparkling drinks and make the right choice!