How to choose sparkling wine: 11 tips from the sommelier

Methods of sparkling wine production

Today, there are five main methods of producing sparkling beverages:

Champagne method (Méthode Champenoise or Méthode Traditionnel) - this method involves secondary fermentation of the drink directly in the bottle and further aging for at least 9 months. Since 2005, this method can only be used by producers in the Champagne province.
The Sharma method (tank method) - consists in the repeated fermentation of sparkling wine in a large tank, followed by filtration with pressure. Then the drink is bottled. This method is used to produce Italian Prosecco and Asti.
The tank continuous method is a method of sparkling wine production, in which secondary fermentation is carried out in a continuous flow in special apparatus under constant carbon dioxide pressure. This method is used for the production of Soviet champagne.
The method of saturation is the direct saturation of wine with carbon dioxide in a common container or immediately in bottles.
The method of one fermentation - after the first fermentation, the wine is bottled and after the end of complete fermentation, the so-called bubbles appear in the drink.

The latter two methods are used to produce the cheapest drink that resembles sparkling wine only with bubbles in a glass.

If your budget allows, choose sparkling wine produced in Italy, Georgia, Spain or France. But you can also take a closer look at domestic producers who make the drink from their own grapes: "Novy Svet, Lefkadia, Perovsky Estate, Zolota Balka, Fanagoria, or Kuban Wine...
An important factor is the method of production of the drink, and to get a quality product, you should refrain from buying sparkling wine produced by the method of single fermentation and saturation.
It is important to remember that the best sparkling wines in the world are made dry, or in other words, brut.
Buy drinks with corks made of natural materials.
Carefully study the composition and exclude drinks that contain chemical impurities.
Look carefully at the quality of printing and labeling.
It is better to buy sparkling wine in dark glass bottles.
Buy sparkling drinks in specialized stores or in trusted supermarkets.
Mandatory presence of excise, and for domestic producers and federal stamps.
A quality sparkling drink should foam well when shaken.
Use the Vivino app. It is enough to take a photo of the bottle, as you will immediately receive comments and an overall rating based on the rating from people who have already tried this drink. Download from Google Play и iTunes.

Update: 31.12.2017

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