With few exceptions, quality sparkling wine is created when a base wine undergoes a second fermentation that creates bubbles in the final wine. Exactly when and where that second fermentation occurs divides the category of sparkling wine into two broad groups.
First, there is the traditional method, in which the second fermentation occurs in the bottle in which the wine is sold. A mix of yeast and sugar, called liqueur de tirage, is added to the bottled wine which triggers a secondary fermentation. CO2 is released as a side effect of fermentation, but because it has nowhere to escape, it dissolves into fine bubbles, called perlage. These wines are often marked by notes of toast, yeast or bread because the final wine rests on its lees in the bottle for a considerable amount of time. This method is the method used in the French region of Champagne and also in Spain to make Cavas and is referred to as méthode champenoise in French and metodo tradizionale or metodo classico in Italy. The second method is called the Charmat or tank method, where the second fermentation occurs in large stainless steel tanks and is bulk filtered before bottling. This is the method used to make Italian Prosecco or German sekt. This is a method that helps preserve more fresh fruit characteristics in the wine, making it the ideal choice for certain grape varieties.
Champagne
Wholesale Producers
Besserat de Bellefon
Bollinger
De Venoge
Fleury
Jean Moutardier
Duval Leroy
Gruet
Jacquesson
Paul Bara
Paul Laurent
Philipponnat
Pierre Moncuit
Veuve Fourny
Sparkling Wine
Imported from Italy
Giacosa Spumante Brut
Coppo Passione Brachetto d'Acqui DOC
Coppo Moncalvina Mosacato d'Asti DOCG
Tasca d'Almerita Brut Contea di Sclafani DOC
Zardetto Prosecco Brut Conegliano
Zardetto Private Cuvee Sparkling
Zardetto Zeta Prosecco di Conegliano DOC
Zardetto Piccolo
Imported from Spain
Juvé y Camps Brut Reserva de la Familia
Juvé y Camps Brut Rosé
Juvé y Camps Vintage Reserva Brut "Cinta Purpura"
Juvé y Camps Milesimé
Juvé y Camps Gran Juvé
Wholesale Producers
Alma Negra - Argentina
Leconfield - Australia
Syn - Australia
Jean Baptiste Adam - France
Simonnet-Febre - France
Francois Montand - France
Brut d'Argent - France
Cave de Grenelle - France
Didier Champalou - France
Paul Louis - France
Domaine de la L'Aumonier - France
Eric Bordelet - France
Trocadero - France
Varichon & Clerc - France
Bottex - France
Schumann-Nagler - Germany
Domaine Spiropoulos - Greece
Yarden - Israel
Canaletto - Italy
Rive Della Chiesa - Italy
Gramona - Spain
Llopart - Spain
Marques de Gelida - Spain
Hopkins - Connecticut
Gruet - New Mexico
Domaine Saint Vincent - France
Wolffer Estate - New York
