Champagne Tastes on a Sparkling Budget

The romance of Champagne is undeniable. True Champagne from France is by far a superior wine loaded with complex flavours and aromas, and those fine little tiny bubbles that add the finesse to Champagne are rarely found outside the region. So if you are a rock star or a recent lotto winner go ahead and stock up on the best Champagnes’ money can buy. If you don’t fall into the above category don’t despair there are other sparkling wines available that won’t hit your wallet so hard.
There are a few clues to finding that good bottle of sparkling. The first is to try to find a label that states that the wine was produced using the traditional method used in Champagne. The label will read “Method Tradtionale” or” Methode Champonoise”. This indicates that the bottle underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle instead of adding carbon dioxide gas on the bottling line. The re-fermentation in the bottle results in the tiny bubbles in your stomach instead of the big bubbles which fill your tummy with lots of gas! Sparkling wine is made from a dry to sweet version so find the sweetness level that you enjoy. Brut on the label means dry and Demi- Sec translates into a medium sweet version.
Search for wines that use some of the grapes used in Champagne such as Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. Value sparkling wines are found in Italy, Germany, Spain, Australia and California. So let’s take a look at some underrated sparkling wines for under 25 dollars that any host would be proud to serve this holiday season.
Italian’s name their sparkling wines Frizzante or Processo , both are refreshing with lots of fruit and creamy flavours. A stand out for me is Andreola Verdiso Frissante from Vinea Wine Imports. Green apple, peach and creamy peach flavours support a full flavour profile and loads of tiny bubbles. If you enjoy a sweeter version try the Martini Asti sparkling from a recognized and famous region in Italy. It’s 7% alcohol and the sweet fruit profile guarantee an easy drinking experience.
Australia is the home of Bimbadgen Ridge Sparkling Semillon. It begins with a tangy fruit essence and ends with a honey and rich, toasty finish, ideal for bringing in the New Year. A popular sparkling wine cocktail, Kir Royale is composed of a base sparkling wine and a few drops of Cassis Liqueur. I recommend the Banrock Station Sparkling Chardonnay with its’ apple and peach profile; dry and crisp it lends itself well to mixing. Australia in general produces some well made value sparkling so experiment and try a few for yourself.
Spain is home to a large sparkling wine industry. The tried and true Seguras Viudas uses traditional Spanish grapes to produce a baked apple and mineral based wine with loads of toast and biscuit, ending with a soft and creamy finish. It is perfect for brunch time Mimosas, which are a mix of three parts