In Episode # 8 of the Wine CEO Podcast I dive into a question I get a lot this time of year.....what champagnes should I buy for Christmas and NYE? And is there really a difference between Champagne and other sparkling wines? So I will break down a few different types of sparkling wine, explaining how they're different, and listing a few great options to find in your local wine market!

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First up is the queen of sparkling wines and what every other sparkling wine wants to be…..Champagne! Champagne is delicious and it's so amazing because of the high level of restrictions that go into the winemaking process! In order for a sparkling wine to be called "Champagne", it must be grown and processed in the region of Champagne, France. It must be made from either Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meuinier, or a blend of these 3 grape varietals; and finally, it has to be made using the Methode Champenoise, also known as the Methode Classique or Methode Tradicional. So this means that all champagne is a sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wines are champagne! If it doesn't follow all 3 of the above requirements, then it cannot be called a champagne.

Be sure to listen to the full podcast episode to get the details on each of these requirements and a little more detail on champagne!

So is champagne worth the price tag? YES! Because of the quality of grapes, the experience of the winemakers, and the time and effort that goes into make every single bottle of champagne - it is emphatically worth the cost. It's not necessarily affordable for every day drinking, but for special occasions and gifts, nothing compares!

Some great champagnes at an affordable price tag include: Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label, Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve, Tattinger Brut, or Piper Heidseick Sublime Demi Sec

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Because of the price tag, I never mix champagne with orange juice (or really anything!). Instead I look for something a bit more affordable like one of the following sparkling wines.

Prosecco, a sparkling wine from Northern Italy, is a delicious wine with an affordable price tag. Although not made in the traditional Champagne method, this sparkling wine is perfect for mixing into mimosas or bellinis and is refreshing to pair with almost anything. Some of my favorites include Tesoro della Regina, Armani, and Nino Franco.

Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine made in the traditional Champagne method, is a delicious pairing with Charcuterie and Cheese. With flavors that compete with Champagne at a fraction of the cost, cava is crushing the US scene for sparkling wine! Juve y Camps and Berberana are two well known producers with great quality.

In France, wines made in the traditional Champagne method that are made outside of the Champagne region are called "cremants". These wines boast outstanding flavors and definitely give Champagne a run for its money! I love the Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne, but they also make a rose that's really nice. Albrecht Cremant d'alsace is also a wonderful option if you love your sparkling wines a little sweeter.

Lastly, there are a few French Champagne houses that have bought property in California and produce sparkling wines in the same methode champenoise. This gives them a similar quality wine to what they're making in France, but at a much more affordable price tag. There are a lot of great sparkling wines out of California, but if you stick with one of these labels, you're not going to be disappointed! Roederer Estate is the California branch of Louis Roederer, a famous French Champagne House. Piper Sonoma, founded by Piper-Heidseick, another great champagne house, is also known for amazing sparkling wines.

Read my full blog post at thewineceo.com/blog/holiday-2020-bubbles