Champagne and Sparkling Wine
If Champagne as a category is intimidating to you, you're certainly not alone. Champagne is a sparkling wine that bears the name of the region it comes from. More specifically, in order to bear the name on its label, a Champagne must be made according to a long, strictly regulated list of requirements that govern every step of the production process from grape to glass. This covers details like the permitted grape varieties, which we'll get into a bit later on, along with pruning, grape yields, the winemaking method (the Méthode Champenoise, or Traditional Method), minimum alcohol levels, a minimum storage period (15 months) prior to release, and more. The greatest Champagnes are still the greatest sparkling wines in the world (and priced accordingly). But in the midrange, you can now find wines like Franciacortas from Italy, top Cavas from Spain, and wonderful California sparkling wines that rival Champagnes for quality and are often less expensive, too. Then, at the affordable level, there are excellent buys from everywhere: Italian Proseccos, basic Cavas from Spain, and sparkling wines from South Africa, the Loire Valley, Tasmania, and dozens of other places. It’s a bounty of bubbles out there.
Get to Know Champagne
![Champagne glasses](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/UgQ5K7OqZNSOl4SNWOouKhLTvTo=/771x514/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Everything-You-Need-To-Know-About-Champagne-FT-BLOG0922-2000-7d6fdbb7a78c46519d171dbcfe144594.jpg)
How to Drink Champagne and Sparkling Wine
The Best Sparkling Wine
![Sparkling wine being poured into coupe glasses.](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/cwRMxtbzUNmU6SURQjtA8ANrj78=/771x514/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Prosecco-Guide-FT-BLOG0424-5e14d8a067cb41b9a8e7a8390753445a.jpg)
Explore Champagne and Sparkling Wine
![Bottles of sparkling wine with pink foil.](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/odslwvAIzAfe7XVxWWAaJ7aBpQo=/364x242/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/How-to-Properly-Open-a-Champagne-Bottle-FT-BLOG0624-02-3a3eab2ae7eb4125a46da44e558042ec.jpg)
![Rose Champagne and glasses](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/bcaloRuUPBeJwzIp4gq3CHmHpMc=/364x242/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/0524_BottleService_45003-92082ff5985c4c42ba37e3f2e1234455.jpg)
![Bottles and glasses of Lambrusco.](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/tgp07-PzUryRB9EbcK_mxuSDAqQ=/364x242/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Why-You-Shouldnt-Sleep-on-Lambrusco-This-Summer-FT-BLOG0524-04-3ccbf9048c414e3fba8798836fc5d1ab.jpg)
![Pizza Crust Made With Champagne](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/liXt5xoRvtJDAl4d2YE7khniAz4=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Pizza-Crust-Made-With-Champagne-FT-BLOG0224-6777aaa26c1c48378276556c6a4ddfd9.jpg)
![An open bottle of champagne](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/2RFPJrRVeKxXMrbO8uTj8cvqGqo=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/How-Long-Does-an-Open-Bottle-of-Champagne-Last-FT-BLOG1123-d04392501d6b4ddba2213c6f56990b4e.jpg)
![original-201503-HD-shayn-bjornholm-sommelier.jpg](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/YewABwN4Vr72LNAm8fr_tZzR7iE=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/original-201503-HD-shayn-bjornholm-sommelier-ab22a60d1e224bcfa7abe3325e428612.jpg)
![Glasses of cremant](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/R_McMKeWNrLpZInU2bFUt5FIi1I=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Everything-You-Need-To-Know-About-Cremant-FT-BLOG0922-2000-aab4e8e1838b470fbec7ec1212dd7703.jpg)
![A wine bottle being uncorked and another one with the screw top being removed.](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/HprrY9oPzeGIUrNIJLTYErir6XA=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screw-Caps-vs-Cork-in-Wine-FT-BLOG0824-57ddaf4b99b6431589733234db5cef57.jpg)
![Various wines for sale.](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/v0H6SKlReL4ULghYfTTxsOXpl90=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/How-to-Read-a-New-World-Wine-Label-FT-BLOG0824-02-66a1e1e99a1243ee90d083750a01c15d.jpg)
![A glass of white wine being poured next to an image of bottles of white wine in an ice bucket.](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/5FiPfw_1Z3sC3mJQU9mL2OoV5r0=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/How-to-chill-white-wine-FT-BLOG0824-0e488fa494f9487ea193613256b76b6c.jpg)
![Champagne on a local patio](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/7QQRFiRRb5Hq4pT1QOgMfwL77-c=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/How-to-Drink-Champagne-Like-a-Local-03-2adca9532b9b4b8d8bd4e36c53a59c1a.jpg)
![Portrait of Joan and Angels Rubio holding bottles of wine](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/GwHzXKPYTFSkyGHgt4-vHIZ4WF0=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Why-Catalonia-is-Becoming-Spains-Most-Exciting-Wine-Region-FT-BLOG0724-Joan-Rubio-02-8ef25742344f4fc8a155c725f0735824.jpg)
![J. Lohr Bay Mist White Riesling 2023, Macari Vineyards Horses Sparkling Cabernet Franc and Loimer Lois Grüner Veltliner 2022](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/z_Tq-IRW7y2y0S2zpukJZLDK2lg=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-Low-ABV-Wines-for-Summer-FT-BLOG0624-02-941a4438c51542c0bf02a13966bcd943.jpg)
![Champagne glasses with sparkling wine and bottle in bucket near oysters.](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/Iq9KL9hAAMxEqOBjF2sgICcDDSY=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Why-Sparkling-Wine-Pairs-with-Everything-FT-BLOG0624-03-62b47767d8c641888a52ddf796d03a92.jpg)
![Brunch cocktails cheers](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/1uZuHVQHPQZtx3bYXXoV7egW-IU=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/The-Best-Bubbly-for-Bottomless-Brunches-LeadImage-FT-BLOG0607-ec26a1b560a149bfaa47edd03abcb7d5.jpg)
![Bottles of Cava on a dark tabletop being poured into sparkling wine glasses](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/UbJxFC33_0gzNGzrozlp79enhwE=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/0524_BottleService_44658-a548abec74374cb4a6fb0e8073c9bde4.jpg)
![Chateau Pavie, Chateau La Gaffeliere, Chateau Figeac, Chateau Beausejour on sale in Ets Martin in St Emilion, Bordeaux, France.](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/Ppl2HLMJOTXaTmEGk3HdOKfDr6Y=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/How-to-Decode-a-French-Wine-Label-FT-BLOG0524-d612093d1fe9455b88a222c5d4f74324.jpg)
![Bottles of Barnard Griffin Bob's Red Blend, VIGNETI MASSA TERRA PIEMONTE ROSSO, FOLK MACHINE PARTS & LABOR RED BLEND, and Mary Taylor Anjou Blanc](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/5rrUIB8GN3MBGq87e4pg2MalvMc=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/16-Best-Wines-to-Buy-Right-Now-for-20-or-Less-According-to-Wine-Pros-FT-BLOG0424-10bc82fa92834c0ca9c004cade9b2c29.jpg)
![Freshly picked grapes at a vineyard.](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/pkE3gAeq1CQHe1sMJHL-gx3n7pQ=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Grapes-behind-famous-wine-blends-FT-BLOG0424-b9dcb6ede0314e22a3aeaf74d2e0421d.jpg)
![Red wine being poured into a glass](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/Do78PDKZEodvuwKeQqI6ARy4eJA=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/How-long-can-a-bottle-of-wine-stay-open-FT-BLOG-0424-b67cb4cddd554a3c9df3f4db5168f6c1.jpg)
![NYC Restaurant's Coqdoq is all about pairing affordable champagne and fried chicken](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/1_UOmMv9ANjH_726wnrJ9SQhHek=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/This-NYC-Restaurant-Is-All-About-Pairing-Affordable-Champagne-and-Fried-Chicken-1-FT-BLOG0326-86366e27cff74aa68992e303c2d5cc80.jpg)
![A bottle of sparkling wine and two glasses](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/y18dXH9nNwDYlrIWHSw0ziFPDZo=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Yes-You-Can-Cook-With-Sparkling-Wine-FT-BLOG0124-b3f93429360e4af1bb459193ce81afc6.jpg)
![Pouring champagne to gold-rimmed coupes](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/07SaKLAcba-Z9wBXUy97My_eRR0=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/How-to-Keep-Your-Bottle-of-Champagne-Bubbly-After-Opening-FT-BLOG1123-7bbdfbf58ab94d74b0b55ae40f582e3a.jpg)
![Coworth Park in autumn](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/jZxNzxyXu27ABmh5mStgt5oO5CA=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/English-Wine-Country-Is-Worth-the-Wait-FT-2-BLOG1123-9958ed974db3443ba3e796b4467c2240.jpg)
![Best Sparkling Rosé](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/P1tC3K6SA6Rzte63chYuj8tld7Y=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-Sparkling-Rose-Tout-FT-BLOG0523-29860cbffaa84564b5173bb91e046ff8.jpg)
![Aperol Spritz](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/5MnKvGr059dVlCsIJZCjuJfqrzk=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Aperol-Spritz-FT-BLOG1122-aec6c9d26aab4c75a25a6c9ca6c1d578.jpg)
![Sirene Spritz Recipe](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/PhvLh68w2NvPHdETXYfE5A2iTPc=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Sirene-Spritz-FT-RECIPE0523-e98ffc17511a4a4d8ed4b4a4ecacce59.jpg)
![Cava Explainer](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/QLIyjkqdU0R1jb1eVPh1LwML3qk=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cava-Explainer-FT-BLOG0223-3e32b777207147c4b9004613b16d3161.jpg)
![CJ McCollum](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/3aNI_TIn82-Lb4NQaVU7_IoZG-4=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CJ-McCollum-Drops-New-Sparkling-Wine-FT-BLOG0922-2000-9850cae3949f474fb245b9db815a25a1.jpg)
![Champagne tower](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/eslVW1ue__q9_enK-ZKCa8Fv3iE=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Storied-Glasses-XL-MAG0922-2000-c47017447a484dc8aff3da446b42e11c.jpg)
![A champagne piña colada on a tray of sand](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/x7DCVhQ0jUHplZu_T1QT600v2AQ=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/champange-pina-colada-FT-BLOG0322-2108603882f64714879421ae1106978c.jpg)
![Pet Nat bottles](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/YaiSK1PCiY_CFN0TEIZHJeTQS44=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/What-To-Drink-Now-Pet-Nat-FT-MAG0723-bdcd7f4ce43140b9bf5ebffa5c6917ed.jpg)
![Bottles of Prosecco Rosé](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/3Ooc61nJTSLsbrvLe6sUZb1_CXk=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/prosecco-rose-FT-BLOG0221-5aa29c4759a14e0496f1c7a973c40889.jpg)
![Two glasses of lambrusco](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/Eh_Y33P25bGeIlp7Im5ey-gHqZ4=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4-Kinds-of-Sparkling-Red-Wine-to-Try-FT-BLOG0823-89f7e392584249d0838939842f6d6c8d.jpg)
![Best Proseccos](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/wI5m5jea9C85_2LM7N3ANDu6Bxk=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-Proseccos-FT-BLOG0523-34705000431843cd8d91dd2d50221a7f.jpg)
![Two bottles of wine chilling](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/nVerlR8JCFiZKh21MctwepqT-go=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5-Mistakes-People-Make-with-Wine-and-What-to-Do-Instead-FT-BLOG0523-0e4bf182f1614828b2381de647ea09e2.jpg)
![Sparkling Rosé Wine](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/uOW5ANoboQuXNFFpcfC4DXTkASQ=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/difference-between-prosecco-rose-and-sparkling-rose-wine-FT-BLOG0121-8491c4d74e684409af26749ee59fd868.jpg)
![Premium Prosecco](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/SmsoNUMoFhU1pX7S0GzNs09S9pM=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/premium-prosecco-FT-BLOG0317-8f40a06b938f4003946679834aa7baaf.jpg)
![Mendocino's new Sparkling Wine Trek](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/pj5M6vqJV368SWtlQFc-30GkVAo=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Mendo-Sparkling-Wine-Trail-FT-BLOG0822-2000-67eac84873df4ca79ea41d842ca82ab1.jpg)
![images-sys-201104-a-expensive-wines.jpg](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/Efa1A4Hkgr6rABCSblD6H3mzOAc=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/images-sys-201104-a-expensive-wines-ee507c9edf0549818569cb5428574946.jpg)
![illustration of a case of wine](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/SekdYVk9r5AB9_c3dyOiF6u0FFc=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-build-the-perfect-case-of-wine-FT-MAG1221-4e6f56ec288f4800a2361b8bdf965fcb.jpg)
![champagne in coupe glasses](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/2a9VnaKTWXPfD7Vd17WPGz_NiSs=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unexpected-champagne-pairings-FT-BLOG1221-bba2af90b6c7481393ac685c16e64f88.jpg)
![Cups of plain sparking water](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/BMqLwnl3jGJ7E4UHmqtYdktwqos=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/All-Sparkling-Water-Is-Not-Created-Equal-Here-Are-the-4-Best-FT-BLOG0224-367182d016034977801172350dcc4f21.jpg)
![Harlem American Champagne Launch](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/kQ4iTBGlZcpGk6QMHB9h9cMCRec=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/harlem-american-champagne-launch-FT-BLOG0321-5b8016c0522c47c690521a4cc2400514.jpg)
![ariel-arce-airs-champagne-parlor-champagne-winery-salon-vineyards-blogpost.jpg](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/VorgeyXs3tEs-f6hbi4_ChbOZiA=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vineyards_at_the_winery_salon-2000-d0942906fabc4ac29b3ff111fd2a610a.jpg)
![images-sys-200812-a-pol-roger-brut-reserve.jpg](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/qvd6qP6y6gmhIUaFjbgonjCuH8Y=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/images-sys-200812-a-pol-roger-brut-reserve-56ee822fa0a54df1a77c2349aed765f6.jpg)
![Drake Champagne Mod Sélection](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/Qh--Njk2Vkc1jquOYn8asMP2GR4=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mod-selection-rose-vintage-drake-champagne-ft-blog1219-cf4db82a00c54bc7b9c6de1dcb5d8ce5.jpg)
![Cranberry-Orange Sparkling Wine Gelatin](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/xCpmwXYOtXIjdZnXaD0_T3JOcO0=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cranberry-orange-sparkling-wine-jello-FT-RECIPE1121-1-ce00712fcce5489da18289dfd093f308.jpg)
![Oregon Sparkling Wines](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/OwnZm5Hw92DWRTY55Bi9jtJgLeI=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/oregon-sparkling-wines-XL-MAG1218-431a5bbc4e8d4c96af4736713a5f3b12.jpg)
![Okanagan Canadian Sparkling Wines](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/jjhxB_eifENSWFp4oEcDCr6P9qk=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/canadian-okanagan-sparkling-stellers-jay-township-7-bella-FT-BLOG0720-1e5a9c97b6044c19a1a169507dad39a9.jpg)
![Bottle of Champagne Veuve Clicquot Brut](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/hqwu-q90UJNPl37-2CqFk10ciUE=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/veuve-clicquot-FT-BLOG1220-aa10ef256adf438f97a2dab04682f619.jpg)