How to Choose Sparkling Wine: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Flavour, Budget & Food Pairings

Sparkling wine isn’t just for celebrations; it’s a way to elevate the simplest of moments! Picking the perfect bottle can seem tricky with many types, styles, and price ranges. Whether aiming to impress your guests at a dinner party or searching for the ideal wine for a cosy night, this guide will help you explore the flavours, fizz, and interesting facts behind each bottle.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Sparkling Wine

Choosing a sparkling wine goes beyond brand or price; it’s about discovering something that perfectly matches your taste and complements your special occasion. Here are a few things to consider:

How to Choose Sparkling Wine: A Quick Guide
Factor	What to Look For	Our Top Tip
Sweetness Level	- Brut Nature / Extra Brut: very dry, no sugar - Brut: dry  - Extra Dry: mildly sweet - Demi-Sec: noticeably sweet	If you're unsure, we recommend starting with Brut and see what you think.
Grape Variety	- Chardonnay: crisp, citrusy, elegant - Pinot Noir: red berries, structure - Pinot Meunier: juicy, floral - Sauvignon Blanc: zesty, herbal - Moscato: sweet, floral	Champagne is usually made from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Budget	- Traditional Method: complex, elegant, higher price (e.g., Champagne, Crémant, Cava) - Tank Method: fruity, fresh, affordable (e.g., Prosecco) - Transfer Method: mid-range quality and price - Carbonation: basic, fun, low-cost	For everyday sipping, Prosecco and Cava offer great value. For celebrations, Champagne or Crémant are our top picks.
Food Pairings	- Brut Champagne: oysters, sushi, fried food - Extra Dry Prosecco: brunch, antipasti, soft cheese - Demi-Sec/Asti: dessert, spicy food - Rosé: charcuterie, salmon, duck	Champagne and fish and chips are an unlikely yet delicious combination.

Sweetness Level

The sweetness of sparkling wine is one of the most important factors influencing the experience. Decoding and understanding what the labels say is key to making the right choice. Labels typically indicate where a wine falls on the dryness-to-sweetness scale.

Common Sweetness Levels:

• Brut Nature / Extra Brut: These styles are extremely dry, containing little to no sugar and are perfect if you enjoy crisp, bone-dry wines with a clean finish.
• Brut: The most popular sweetness level, Brut is dry but still offers subtle fruit flavours, making it a versatile choice for almost any occasion.
• Extra Dry: Despite the name, Extra Dry is slightly sweeter than Brut, offering a gentle sweetness that still feels fresh and balanced.
• Demi-Sec: With a noticeable sweetness, Demi-Sec is a great option for those who like their bubbles sweeter, especially when paired with desserts or spicy dishes.

👉 Tip: Brut is the safest, most versatile choice if unsure.

Grape Variety

Sparkling wine is a delightful experience, and the grape variety significantly influences its flavour, aroma, texture, and ageing potential. Familiarising yourself with some of the most popular grapes in sparkling wine production can help you choose a bottle that matches your taste preferences!

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a lovely grape that features heavily in sparkling wines, particularly Champagne and Crémant. Its crisp citrus notes add a delightful freshness and a touch of merriment, especially when cultivated in cooler climates. In warmer regions, you can expect Chardonnay to express rounder, riper flavours, featuring hints of apple and a buttery richness. Overall, this versatile grape brings elegance and finesse to the end product.

Pinot Noir

While commonly known as a red grape, Pinot Noir is often used in white sparkling wines, thanks to the fact that its skins are gently removed before fermentation. It adds structure, depth, and subtle flavours of red berries such as strawberry and cherry. In rosé sparkling wines, it lends a charming pink hue and a dash of spice. Pinot Noir is perfect for those who appreciate a slightly bolder and more expressive sparkling wine.

Pinot Meunier

When blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Champagne, Pinot Meunier adds vibrancy and fruity charm to the ensemble. It introduces juicy red fruit flavours such as raspberry and plum, complemented by a floral lift. Wines that feature a higher percentage of Pinot Meunier are approachable and lively, and enjoyable, even in their youth!

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc, while less common in traditional sparkling wine blends, is more frequently found in New World styles and unique sparkling wines. It brings a delightful, zesty acidity along with charming, herbaceous, and green aromas, evoking the bright scents of lime, green apple, and fresh-cut grass. Choosing this grape means you’ll enjoy a wonderfully bright and refreshing sparkling wine with a clean finish that’s sure to please!

Moscato (used in Asti)

Moscato is the star grape of Asti Spumante from Italy! I has a naturally sweet flavour, low alcohol content, and delightful burst of floral and fruity notes. This grape creates a soft and aromatic sparkling wine with notes of peach, orange blossom, and honeysuckle. It’s just perfect for sipping on its own or enjoying alongside your favourite fruity desserts!

Budget

Your budget greatly influences your sparkling wine choices! Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there, ranging from delightful everyday bubbles to luxurious vintage Champagnes. One important factor influencing pricing is the production method, which adds unique texture and complexity to the wine. Here’s a quick look at the methods and what they mean for your wallet and glass!

Traditional Method (Méthode Champenoise)

This classic technique is found in Champagne, Cava, and Crémant. The bubbles come to life during a second fermentation inside the bottle, infusing the wine with a lovely texture and complex flavours that remind us of toast. It takes time and care to make these wines, and they're a go-to for the occasions we want to make more memorable.

Tank Method (Charmat Method)

Common in Prosecco, this method utilises large stainless-steel tanks for the second fermentation process. The outcome? Refreshing, fruity bubbles that are incredibly approachable and budget-friendly, perfect for enjoying every day or crafting delicious brunch cocktails!

Transfer Method

Imagine this as a mix between traditional and tank methods! It begins in bottles and then transitions to a tank for filtering. You still enjoy some delightful complexity, but at a more budget-friendly price. While it's not as common, it's worth a try!

Carbonation Method

This method is super simple and budget-friendly, just add CO₂ like you would when making soda! The bubbles are a bit bigger and less refined, making it a fun choice for casual hangouts or sparkling wine cocktails!

Food Pairings

Choosing the perfect sparkling wine to pair with your meal can really elevate your dining experience, making each bite even more delightful! Remember to consider the sweetness, acidity, and body of the wine to find that perfect match.

Recommended Pairings:

• Brut Champagne: Great with oysters, sushi, and fried foods. (Yes, this includes the Golden Arches.) Its crisp acidity cuts through richness and refreshes the palate. We're lovin' it. 
• Extra Dry Prosecco: A touch of sweetness makes it perfect for brunch dishes, antipasti, and soft cheeses like mozzarella.
• Demi-Sec or Asti: Ideal for fruit-based desserts and a surprisingly good match for mildly spicy dishes like Thai food.
• Rosé Sparkling Wines: Versatile with charcuterie, grilled salmon, and even duck. Look for a richer style for heartier dishes.

Types of Sparkling Wine

Knowing the main types of sparkling wine is the perfect way to pick out a bottle you’ll enjoy. Let’s take a fun look at five popular sparkling wine styles.

Champagne

Champagne is made in France’s Champagne region using the traditional method. It is known for its fine bubbles, toasty notes, and elegant complexity. Champagne is often a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.

Cava

Spain’s answer to Champagne, Cava, is also made in the traditional method but often offers a more affordable price. It’s dry and crisp, with notes of citrus and flowers.

Prosecco

This Italian sparkling wine is light, fruity, and aromatic. Made using the tank method, Prosecco tends to be more approachable and budget-friendly, making it ideal for casual sipping and cocktails.

Asti Spumante

Hailing from Piedmont, Italy, Asti Spumante is sweet, low in alcohol, and characterised by its bursting aromas of peach and flowers. It’s perfect for dessert pairings or festive toasts.

Crémant

Crémant refers to French sparkling wines made outside Champagne using similar traditional techniques. These wines often offer great value and a refined character.

👉 Curious to explore each style in more detail? Check out our full guide on types of sparkling wine for more in-depth insights and recommendations.

New to Sparkling Wine? Canned Options Make It Easy to Explore

If you're still pondering what type of sparkling wine best matches your taste, don’t worry, you're not alone! Choosing between sweet, dry, fruity, or floral options can feel overwhelming, especially if you're starting to explore the world of wine. This is exactly where canned sparkling wine shines as a fantastic starting point.

Cans provide a super-easy, low-pressure way to dive into different styles without the commitment of finishing an entire bottle. Unsure if you'll love Brut or a sweeter Moscato? Why not try both, one at a time! It’s a clever way to sample and find out what you like before you decide on full-sized bottles.

And the best part? There’s no need for a corkscrew, no worries about leftover fizz going flat, and you can take it along anywhere. Canned sparkling wine makes it so simple to enjoy delicious bubbles at your own pace!

👉 Ready to find your flavour? Browse our hand-picked canned sparkling wine collection and start your sparkling wine journey, one can at a time.

Conclusion

Selecting the best sparkling wine for you can be straightforward. The best way to find out what you like, is by trying different varieties. By grasping the key factors that affect the taste of sparkling wine, such as sweetness level and grape type, you can confidently choose a bottle that aligns with you. Whether you are organising a celebration or simply seeking a peaceful evening at home with a glass of bubbles in hand, there's one out there for you.

FAQ

1. How to choose sparkling wine?

Selecting the ideal sparkling wine depends on your taste, the event, and budget. Begin by assessing the sweetness level; terms such as Brut (dry) or Demi-Sec (sweet) can direct your choice. Think about the grape type (like Chardonnay for a crisp profile or Moscato for sweetness), along with the production method, which influences flavour and cost. If in doubt, a brut Prosecco or Cava is an excellent option.

2. What food goes well with sparkling wine?

Sparkling wine is incredibly versatile when it comes to food pairings! Brut Champagne perfectly matches fresh seafood, like oysters or sushi, while Prosecco complements light appetisers and soft cheeses. If you want something sweet, Demi-Sec or Asti pair excellently with fruity desserts or spicy dishes. And for those who love a bold, savoury option, rosé sparkling wine is fantastic with charcuterie, grilled salmon, or even duck!

3. What is the best sparkling wine for someone who likes fruity flavours?

If you enjoy fruity flavours, you'll want to seek out sparkling wines crafted from aromatic grapes like Moscato, which is often found in Asti Spumante. You might also find a refreshing, fruit-forward Prosecco to be your style, bursting with pear and apple notes. Rosé sparkling wines made with a Pinot Noir base, bringing you vibrant berry flavours that are sure to please. These styles are about being approachable, fun, and packed with a fresh fruit character!