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08/10/2024

Sparkling wine guide: how to choose the best one for your celebrations

Sparkling wine guide: how to choose the best one for your celebrations
In the market it is possible to find a wide variety of wines, which are made using white or red grapes. For example, we all have red, white and rosé wines in mind, but we can also find sparkling wines, which are those that, when opened, begin to produce bubbles as a result of the fermentation of the grape must, transform the natural sugars present in this fruit into alcohol. Sparkling wines, therefore, can be red, rosé or white, although the latter two are the ones we can find most frequently. These are wines that, although they are obtained from the fermentation of grape must, their production process is different.  The most traditional method to obtain it is achieved through a second fermentation in the bottle and not in the barrel, which generates a much slower fermentation that should last months. The carbon dioxide (CO2) that is generated throughout these months it remains trapped inside the bottle, dissolved in the wine itself. Therefore, when we open the bottle, the CO2 begins to be released slowly, producing characteristic bubbles.   Sparkling wines, especially white and rosé wines, such as French champagne or Spanish cava, are often used in certain celebrations. We are sure that, on more than one occasion you have made a toast at Christmas or New Year's Eve, at a dinner with friends, at a birthday or at a college graduation. However, it is not always easy to know how to choose a good sparkling wine, so we are going to dedicate this article to show you the best options that you can find in our wine catalog sparkling

How to choose a good sparkling wine?

Next, we are going to show you some tips that you should take into account when choosing a quality sparkling wine to take our celebrations to the next level. Among them, we advise you not to lose sight of the aging of the sparkling wine. Depending on the aging time, the experience will offer a different taste experience.

The aging of sparkling wines

For example, young sparkling wines have a more fruity character and refreshing, thanks to the fact that its bubbles are larger so they are perfect to drink with friends while we are out in the afternoon, but also to pair with light dishes and soft appetizers, such as, for example, cheeses or even sweets.  As fermentation progresses, the yeasts die and release compounds that give the wine greater aromatic richness and a silkier texture. In fact, Crianza wines are characterized by giving off aromas of pastries, ripe fruit or dried fruits. Likewise, as the fermentation process progresses, the bubbles integrate and become increasingly finer, making them more pleasant on the palate. For example, the sparkling wine Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé 2013, with its 6 years of aging is an excellent option if you are a person looking to taste excellent quality wines and who wants to take your celebrations to the next level. 

The addition or not of sugars

When sparkling wines reach the end of their aging process, producers carry out a tasting to assess whether to add the expedition liqueur, which contains the necessary sugars to give it a sweeter touch and correct the flavor of the sparkling wine.  In this way, we can find the driest sparkling wines, but also the sweetest, in a gradation that begins with the Brut Nature, which does not contain sugars. Sparkling wine Brut contains sugars, but less than 12 grams per liter. This is perfect for those people looking to enjoy a balanced drink that is not sweet.  The extra dry is a sparkling wine that has up to 17 grams of sugar, which is a wine with a little touch sweet. The dry, for its part, can have up to 32 grams of sugar per liter, making it a drink that has a more evident sweet touch without being cloying, which is why, socially, it is the most accepted. However, if you are looking for a sparkling wine that is sweeter, you can find the Semi-dry, which can have up to 50 grams of sugar per liter and sweets, that contain more than 50 grams of sugar per liter. It is a perfect option for those with a sweet tooth. Now, if you are wondering how to choose a sparkling wine, to pair with food it is important to take into account the amount of sugars, since some are ideal to pair with appetizers and with food dishes and others are perfect to taste together with dessert. 

Ideal pairings for sparkling wines

Choosing a sparkling wine not only depends on the type of celebration, but also on the dishes you plan to pair it with. sparkling wines are very versatile and can be paired with a wide variety of foods, enhancing the flavors of each one. For example, drier sparkling wines, such as Brut Nature and Brut, are ideal to accompany savory appetizers and light dishes such as seafood, sushi or salads. Cava Brut, for example, can be excellent to enjoy with oysters or prawns, since its acidity serves to cleanse the palate and balance the high salinity of these foods.To taste white meats, such as chicken or turkey, you can opt for an extra dry sparkling wine, which offers a slightly sweet touch that helps complement the softness of these meats. semi-dry wines or sweet wines, on the other hand, can be perfect to accompany desserts such as cakes, chocolates and fruits. A Moscato d'Asti or a Semi-dry Cava, for For example, they can be perfect to end a meal with fresh and fruity notes. If you are looking to surprise on special occasions, we recommend combining sparkling wines with cheeses, especially those with soft and creamy flavors. Fresh or goat cheeses, as well as brie complement very well with the bubbles of a good Champagne Brut. In short, we can say that, to choose the best sparkling wine for your celebrations you must take into account several factors, such as the type of aging, the amount of sugars they contain and the pairing. Each of these options can elevate any meeting or celebration to the next level. By paying attention to these details, you will be able to choose the perfect sparkling wine for every occasion, guaranteeing a toast perfect. 
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