Is Champagne Sparkling Wine? Champagne vs Sparkling Wine vs Port

What is Champagne?

Champagne is a sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of north-eastern France, from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The name is legally protected, and in Australia only wines from that region can be sold as Champagne.

It is made by the traditional method (méthode champenoise): a second fermentation takes place inside the bottle, the wine rests on its yeast lees, and the bottle is later disgorged. Non-vintage Champagne must age at least 15 months, and vintage Champagne at least three years, so it tastes toasty, creamy and complex.

What is the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine?

All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Sparkling wine is any wine with bubbles, made anywhere in the world by different methods. Australian sparkling wines made by the traditional method, such as Chandon’s, can be excellent and cost less.

Champagne is prized for its cool chalky terroir, long ageing and consistency of house style. Browse our sparkling wine collection to compare, including Moët & Chandon Impérial and Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée.

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How is Prosecco different?

Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine made mainly from the Glera grape in the Veneto and Friuli regions. It is usually made by the tank (Charmat) method, in which the second fermentation takes place in a large pressurised tank, which preserves fresh fruit aromas.

The result is light, fruity and floral, with notes of green apple, pear and white flowers, and softer bubbles. It is usually cheaper than Champagne and excellent for spritzes, mimosas and casual celebrations.

How do you read Brut and Extra Dry?

The sweetness level is on the label. From driest to sweetest the main terms are Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry (or Extra Sec), Sec and Demi-Sec. Brut is the standard dry style. Extra Dry, confusingly, is slightly sweeter than Brut.

Dosage, a small addition of sugar and wine before final corking, sets the sweetness. If you prefer crisp wine, choose Brut or drier. If you prefer something softer, Extra Dry or Demi-Sec will taste rounder.

What is Port?

Port is a fortified wine from the Douro Valley in Portugal. Grape spirit is added during fermentation, which stops it early and leaves natural sweetness, and raises the strength to around 19 to 22 per cent ABV. Ruby Port is fruity and young, Tawny Port is aged in barrels and tastes of nuts, caramel and dried fruit, and Vintage Port is made only in exceptional years and aged in the bottle.

Port is served after dinner with cheese, nuts and chocolate, and is far richer than sparkling wine. See the port wine collection, including Sandeman Port and the Australian fortified Penfolds Grandfather.

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Which should you buy for a celebration?

For a special toast, choose Champagne. Dom Pérignon Vintage Rosé is a prestige cuvée, and Laurent-Perrier Brut is a classic. For a crowd or a brunch, choose Prosecco or Australian sparkling. For after dinner, offer Port.

Chill sparkling wine to 6 to 8 degrees, open gently and pour into a tulip-shaped glass. If you are choosing for a gift, a gift-boxed Champagne is a safe, impressive option.

Is there such a thing as sparkling red?

Yes. Australia is known for sparkling Shiraz, a rich, fruity, slightly sweet red with bubbles, traditionally served at Christmas and with barbecued meat. Italy’s Lambrusco is a lighter, fizzy red.

For more on styles, see our guides to rosé wine and how to choose red wine. Buyers must be 18 or over.

What are the Champagne styles and grapes?

Blanc de Blancs is made only from Chardonnay and tastes crisp and elegant. Blanc de Noirs is made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and is fuller and richer. Rosé Champagne adds red wine or uses skin contact. Non-vintage is a blend of years for a consistent house style, while vintage Champagne comes from a single year.

Prestige cuvées such as Dom Pérignon are made only from the best grapes in top years. Our sparkling wine collection includes several of these styles.

How do you open and serve sparkling wine safely?

Chill the bottle to 6 to 8 degrees. Remove the foil and loosen the cage while keeping a thumb over the cork. Hold the bottle at 45 degrees, twist the bottle (not the cork) and ease the cork out so it sighs rather than pops. Pour in two stages to control the foam.

Never point the bottle at anyone, and never use a knife to open it unless you know how. Serve in tulip glasses, which keep the bubbles and aromas better than wide coupes.

What are the best sparkling cocktails, and how do you serve Port?

A Mimosa is sparkling wine and orange juice, a Kir Royale adds crème de cassis, and a French 75 combines gin, lemon, sugar and Champagne. A Bellini uses peach purée and Prosecco.

Port is served in small glasses after dinner. Serve tawny slightly cool and ruby at room temperature, and decant vintage Port to remove sediment. Opened tawny and ruby Port keep for weeks to a few months, so follow the label’s storage advice and keep the bottle sealed.

How do you choose between Champagne, sparkling wine and Prosecco?

Choose Champagne for milestones, gifts and when you want the prestige and complexity of long-aged wine. Choose Australian or other traditional-method sparkling for similar style at a lower price. Choose Prosecco for brunch, spritzes and casual parties where fresh, fruity bubbles are the aim.

Check the sweetness level (Brut for dry, Extra Dry for slightly sweeter) and whether it is vintage or non-vintage. Buy a few bottles in advance, chill them in the fridge for several hours, and keep one in reserve. Buyers must be 18 or over.