Great Sparkling Wines

Great Sparkling Wines

For those wishing to buy sparkling wine, there is usually only one name that comes to mind, Champagne. This region of northern France has become synonymous with the best sparkling wines in the World. With brands such as Moet et Chandon and Louis Roederer, popular with online wine clubs, producing the best Champagnes that money can buy.

The region of Champagne is noted for it's cool environment which helps to aid the acidity of the grapes being used, as well as the chalkiness of it's soil which gives Champagne its light flavour. The region is also helped by a decent level of rainfall. Champagne by law, has to be made with white Chardonnay grapes or with the red grape Pinot Noir, which despite it's colour also produces a white wine. In many Champagnes, the grapes are mixed to achieve different blends and flavours although there are some which feature only one of the main grape varieties, such as the flagship Taittinger wines.

Moet et Chandon or simply Moet is arguably the most well known sparkling wine brand in the World. Not only does it produce the Champagne which bears it's name, it also produces the famous Dom Perignon vintage Champagne which is only produced using the best grapes from the best year.

Louis Roederer is most famous for it's Champagne Cristal, which is drunk in over 80 different countries World wide. Now the favourite of Rock and Rap stars, this drink was once loved by Nicolas 2nd Tsar of Russia. It earned Cristal the name 'Champagne of the Tsars'.

Founded in 1772, Veuve Clicquot has played an important role in the history of Champagne, which has included amongst other things, techniques for mass production of Champagne. They currently produce over 8 million bottles a year.

Bollinger will be familiar to all those who buy wine. This famous brand of Champagne which is loved by everyone, from Queen Elizabeth 2nd to James Bond, has a long and illustrious history. The company currently produces over 100,000 cases every year and has 4 different vintage ranges.

Many people who buy wine will only buy Champagne for a special occasion. While the price of the best brands mean that it is only an occasional treat for many, online wine clubs are also showcasing cheaper brands of Champagne and sparkling wine which deliver high on quality but low on price. This means that Champagne is now becoming a regular tipple for wine drinkers and not just a one off.