100 Wine Blogs, 100 Days Blog 19 Do You Like Bubbles in Your Wine?

19. Do you like bubbles in your wine? What are the different methods used to make bubbles?

In France, Champagne is made using the Methode Champenoise method developed by the French and now used in other parts of the world. The term Champagne is so named because of the Champagne region in France and may not be allowed on other bottles of sparkling wine.

In the United States, in the past, we have used the term Champagne to mean any wine having bubbles. I cannot say that I blame the French for wanting to make a distinction between their Champagne and our use of the word Champagne. To the French, it means more than just a name or a region. It involves a tradition and method of hard work and time spent in making their sparkling wine have quite a sparkle. It is no wonder why they call their method of making Champagne the MethodeTraditionelle.

Sugar and yeast are combined inside a bottle with the wine to create the fizzle; they are capped with a bottle cap for second fermentation to take place inside of the bottle itself. Carbon dioxide is mixed with the wine in the bottle creating the bubbles. Yeast sediment that is left is removed when ready, the sparkling wine is topped off and a cork is put in its place. Sometimes there will also be a little sugar added called “dosage” to make the sparkling wine sweeter.

In the United States, wines made using the Methode Traditionelle also called traditional method or Methode Champenoise, are labeled “naturally fermented in this bottle”. Wines made using the transfer method are labeled “naturally fermented in the bottle” because they might not necessarily use the same bottle for second fermentation. Those wines that get their bubbles from the tank instead of the bottle are sometimes labeled “naturally fermented Charmat Bulk Process” and may also be known as Charmat or Cuve Close.

How do I like my bubbles? I like my bubbles using the traditional method which makes loads of fine, small bubbles. I do not like the sometimes larger bubbles that you find when other methods for making sparkling wine are used.

The next few articles will contain some of my favorite places to visit in California that make sparkling wine.

Tell me your thoughts, make them funny, keep them nice and educate me.
Bon Vin!
Veronica