Sparkling Wine - Intro Level 1 Sommelier

Here's a breakdown of what you should know about Sparkling Wines Outside of Champagne for Intro Level Sommelier topics.

Key Sparkling Wine Regions and Styles (Excluding Champagne)

1. France (Outside Champagne)

• Crémant:

• Sparkling wines made outside Champagne but using the Traditional Method.

• Regions: Crémant d’Alsace, Crémant de Bourgogne, Crémant de Loire, Crémant de Limoux, etc.

• Grapes: Varies by region (e.g., Pinot Blanc in Alsace, Chenin Blanc in Loire).

• Style: Dry, with fine bubbles and regional characteristics.

• Blanquette de Limoux:

• Region: Limoux (Languedoc).

• Grapes: Mauzac (primary), Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc.

• Method: Traditional or Ancestral Method.

• Style: Fresh, fruity, with apple and floral notes.

2. Italy

• Prosecco:

• Region: Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

• Grape: Glera.

• Method: Charmat Method (Tank Method).

• Style: Light, fruity, floral, with soft bubbles.

• Sweetness Levels: Brut, Extra Dry, Dry.

• Key Appellations: Prosecco DOC, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG.

• Franciacorta:

• Region: Lombardy.

• Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), Pinot Bianco.

• Method: Traditional Method.

• Style: Rich, complex, similar to Champagne.

• Sweetness Levels: Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, etc.

• Asti Spumante:

• Region: Piedmont.

• Grape: Moscato Bianco.

• Method: Charmat Method.

• Style: Sweet, aromatic, low alcohol, with peach and floral notes.

• Lambrusco (Sparkling Red):

• Region: Emilia-Romagna.

• Grape: Lambrusco.

• Method: Charmat or Traditional Method.

• Style: Can be dry (secco) or sweet (dolce), with red fruit flavors and refreshing acidity.

3. Spain

• Cava:

• Region: Primarily Catalonia (Penedès).

• Grapes: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada (sometimes Chardonnay or Pinot Noir).

• Method: Traditional Method.

• Style: Dry, with citrus, apple, and toasty notes.

• Sweetness Levels: Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, etc.

4. Germany

• Sekt:

• Region: Nationwide.

• Grapes: Often Riesling, but also Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir.

• Method: Charmat or Traditional Method (for high-quality Sekt).

• Style: Light, fruity, with high acidity.

• Deutscher Sekt: Made from German-grown grapes.

• Sekt b.A.: Sekt from a specific region (e.g., Mosel, Rheingau).

5. Austria

• Austrian Sekt:

• Grapes: Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling, Riesling, Pinot Noir.

• Method: Charmat or Traditional Method.

• Style: High acidity, fresh, with citrus and green apple notes.

• Quality Levels: Klassik, Reserve, Grosse Reserve.

6. Other European Countries

• Portugal:

• Sparkling wines made in regions like Bairrada and Vinho Verde.

• Grapes: Baga, Arinto, Loureiro.

• Method: Traditional or Charmat Method.

• Hungary:

• Sparkling wines from Tokaj and Etyek-Buda regions.

• Grapes: Furmint, Hárslevelű.

7. New World Sparkling Wines

• United States:

• California: High-quality sparkling wines using the Traditional Method (e.g., Schramsberg, Domaine Carneros).

• Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier.

• Style: Rich, creamy, with ripe fruit flavors.

• Australia:

• Known for Sparkling Shiraz (red sparkling wine).

• Regions: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale.

• Style: Full-bodied, fruity, with soft tannins and sweetness.

• New Zealand:

• High-quality sparkling wines using the Traditional Method.

• Regions: Marlborough.

• Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir.

• Style: Crisp, fresh, with citrus and tropical fruit notes.

• South Africa:

• Cap Classique: Sparkling wine made using the Traditional Method.

• Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir.

• Style: Bright acidity, citrus, and toasty notes.

• South America:

• Argentina: Sparkling wines from Mendoza (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir).

• Chile: Sparkling wines from Casablanca Valley.

8. Labelling Terms

• Frizzante: Lightly sparkling (e.g., Prosecco Frizzante).

• Spumante: Fully sparkling (e.g., Asti Spumante).

• Metodo Classico: Italian term for Traditional Method.

• Cap Classique: South African term for Traditional Method.

9. Food Pairing Tips

• Prosecco: Light appetizers, fresh fruit, salads.

• Cava: Tapas, fried foods, seafood.

• Franciacorta: Rich dishes, creamy sauces, roasted chicken.

• Asti Spumante: Desserts like fruit tarts, panna cotta.

• Sparkling Shiraz: Barbecue, grilled meats, chocolate desserts.

Tricky Quiz Questions for Practice

1. Which of the following sparkling wines is made using the Charmat Method?

• A) Franciacorta

• B) Prosecco

• C) Cava

• D) Crémant

1. True or False: Franciacorta is made using the same method as Champagne.

2. Fill in the Blank: The primary grape used in Prosecco production is .

3. Match the Sparkling Wine to Its Region:

• A) Franciacorta

• B) Cava

• C) Sekt

• D) Asti Spumante

• 1) Piedmont

• 2) Catalonia

• 3) Lombardy

• 4) Germany

1. Scenario-Based Question:
   A guest asks for a sparkling wine that is fruity, light, and not too dry. Which wine would you recommend, and why?

Tips for Studying Sparkling Wines (Excluding Champagne)

• Focus on the production methods (Traditional vs. Charmat).

• Memorize the grape varieties and regions associated with each style.

• Learn the labelling terms and what they indicate about the wine.

• Taste a variety of sparkling wines to understand their flavor profiles and styles.

• Practice identifying food pairings for each sparkling wine style.