The difference between champagne and sparkling wine, and 14 of the best to try
According to a professional.
By Dani Maher
WHETHER IT’S ENJOYED in a coupe or a flute; at a wedding or a casual drinks catch-up; in summer or in winter; a glass of bubbles never goes astray. “I only drink champagne on two occasions,” Coco Chanel allegedly said: “When I am in love and when I am not.”
Sparkling may be one of the most versatile wine varieties on the market, with its complexity reaching deeper than a first glance may assume. And of course there’s the hefty debate between what can be classed as champagne and what is simply sparkling wine, and what the true difference between the two really is — so we turned to an expert to answer all our questions. Read on for everything you need to know about sparkling wine and champagne, including the best international and Australian variations to try.
What is the difference between champagne and sparkling wine?
If you’re unsure as to the real reason why some bottles of bubbly are referred to as champagne and others simply as sparkling wine, it comes down to the region in which the wine was produced, with “strict labelling laws” defining the two.
“Firstly, champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wines are champagne, as sparkling wine can only be called champagne if it comes from the famous wine region of Champagne France,” explains Dean O’Reilly, a champagne expert and Business Development Manager of Champagne for Moët Hennessy Australia.
“What makes champagne production unique in the large landscape of other sparkling wines is a longer conversation, but three major factors are the incredible wine region with its white chalk soils and mix of grape varieties, the craftsmanship into blending the different production styles, and the ‘bottle fermentation method’ for producing the fizz with the long maceration/ageing time required for each bottle produced,” he continues.
Champagne is SPARKLING WINE, but not ALL sparkling wines are CHAMPAGNE
Related: Best Australian red wines to gift or enjoy
What should you look for when buying a champagne or sparkling wine?
O’Reilly admits that there are plenty of factors that can be considered, but it is “always best to start with a purchase price in mind”. The next consideration, in his opinion, is the occasion.
“Champagne is the universal language for celebration and is the perfect complement to share with our happiest moments — especially Magnums,” he notes. “Champagne Rosé is perfect with food pairing and can be the star in many dining environments, as can sparkling wines as they are typically more affordable and offer brilliant aperitif drinking.”
Related: Best non-alcoholic wines, beers and spirits to enjoy
Best champagnes to buy in 2023
1
VEUVE CLICQUOT Brut NV
1
FULL-BODIED, CRISP AND DRY CHAMPAGNE
VEUVE CLICQUOT Brut NV
$75.95
One of the most recognisable and adored champagnes around the world, Veuve Clicquot’s Brut Non-Vintage is a perfectly luxe choice. Thanks to its careful combination of Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay grape varieties — and three years minimum ageing — it has a full body and a crisp, dry finish perfect for any special occasion.
2
PIPER-HEIDSIECK Brut Champagne
2
LIGHT-BODIED AND DRY CHAMPAGNE
PIPER-HEIDSIECK Brut Champagne
$64
One of the greatest value-for-money authentic champagnes available, Piper-Heidsieck offers surprising depth. Created by Regis Camus, eight time winner of ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ at the international Wine Challenge, it’s a clean, crisp, and light champagne that will never fail to impress.
3
MOËT & CHANDON Brut Imperial
3
CRISP AND DRY CHAMPAGNE
MOËT & CHANDON Brut Imperial
$66.99
A bottle of Moët will always impress. The champagne of choice for many, their Brut Imperial is an elegant balance of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes. Crisp and dry, it has notes of pears, citrus, and apple, making it a refreshing drop for any celebration.
4
G.H. MUMM Cordon Rouge NV
4
FINE BEAD CHAMPAGNE
G.H. MUMM Cordon Rouge NV
$59.95
Distinctively recognisable thanks to its cordon rouge or ‘red ribbon’ label, this champagne from G.H. Mumm has a fine bead — which, in non-connoisseur speak, means fine bubbles that create a smoother drinking experience. With hints of apple and citrus, year after year it is remarkably reliable and offers great value for money.
5
BOLLINGER Special Cuvée
5
COMPLEX AND VELVETY CHAMPAGNE
BOLLINGER Special Cuvée
$87.99
A special champagne designed to be shared with loved ones, Bollinger’s Special Cuvée has an aromatic complexity of ripe fruit and spicy aromas with hints of roasted apple, apple compote, and peaches. Velvety bubbles make for a luxurious drinking experience, and a subtle combination of structure, length and vivacity make it a truly special drop.
6
DOM PÉRIGNON Brut Vintage
6
MEDIUM-BODIED, DRY, ULTRA-LUXE CHAMPAGNE
DOM PÉRIGNON Brut Vintage
$350
It doesn’t get more luxurious than a bottle of Dom. Perhaps the most famous champagne in the world, its price tag reflects its truly luxe quality — one to be treasured and enjoyed on the most special occasions. A sparkling bouquet of delicate fresh violets begins the experience, with the most delicate bubbles making it a delight to drink. Delicate yet complex, it lasts beautifully on the palate.
7
PERRIER-JOUËT Blanc de Blancs NV
7
INVIGORATING BLANC DE BLANCS CHAMPAGNE
PERRIER-JOUËT Blanc de Blancs NV
$120 (RRP$150)
Blanc de Blancs is a type of champagne produced entirely from white grapes — and Perrier-Jouët’s is a beautifully vivacious offering. Fresh, tangy and invigorating, with a mineral intensity on the finish, it’s a vibrant champagne to enjoy at any time.
8
BILLECART-SALMON Brut Rosé NV
8
SMOOTH AND ELEGANT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE
BILLECART-SALMON Brut Rosé NV
$139
If you haven’t tried a rosé champagne, this is the one to make your first. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier; it has a long, smooth and delicate palate. The finish is fresh with a hint of raspberry — beautifully romantic and refreshing.
9
HEIDSIECK & CO Monopole Blue Top NV Brut Champagne
9
ELEGANT AND DELICATE CHAMPAGNE
HEIDSIECK & CO Monopole Blue Top NV Brut Champagne
$59.99
Inspired by the fictional king of the roaring ’20s, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby, Heidsieck & Co Monopole have recently unveiled their new label into the Australian market with bespoke Art Deco gift boxes. Among them is the Blue Top, a pale yellow champagne with a fruit-dominated mouth. Notes of cherry plums, oranges and peaches dance on the palate and the delicate flavours make for a very pleasant experience indeed.
Best Australian sparkling wines to buy in 2022
10
JANSZ Premium Cuvée
10
CREAMY, FRUITY TASMANIAN SPARKLING WINE
JANSZ Premium Cuvée
$27.99
Hailing from Tasmania, this affordable sparkling wine is among the best in Australia. Honeysuckle and citrus scents join aromas of nougat, roasted nuts and a hint of strawberry on the nose; while on the palate, delicate fruits and creaminess fill the mouth.
11
HOUSE OF ARRAS Brut Elite
11
RICH AND BALANCED TASMANIAN SPARKLING WINE
HOUSE OF ARRAS Brut Elite
$49.90
Also from Tasmania, House of Arras’ Brut Elite has a brilliant clarity and ultra-fine, persistent bead. A rich and generous palate brings together flavours of lychee, glacé cherry, and truffle oil; and the perfect balance of dosage, acidity and structural tannins make for a remarkably elegant drinking experience.
12
FROGMORE CREEK Vintage Sparkling Cuvée
12
LIGHT-BODIED TASMANIAN SPARKLING WINE
FROGMORE CREEK Vintage Sparkling Cuvée
$39.99
Light-bodied yet with a rich mouthfeel, Tasmanian Frogmore Creek’s 2018 Sparkling Cuvée has delicate flavours of peach and strawberry with a nutty backbone. Crisp and perfectly balanced, it’s a great all-rounder.
13
GRANT BURGE Petite Bubbles
13
BAROSSA VALLEY SOFT SPARKLING WINE
GRANT BURGE Petite Bubbles
$14.99 (RRP$21.99)
From the Barossa Valley’s Grant Burge winery, this sparkling wine is delicately crafted with beautifully fine bubbles. A subtle flavour and aroma makes for a refreshing drinking experience, with a hint of bouquet from the classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
14
Croser NV
14
ADELAIDE HILLS CHARDONNAY
Croser NV
$30
A blend of Croser’s current vintage with reserve wine from several older stores, this sparkling from the picturesque Adelaide Hills wine region showcases a showcase a rich, full blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
What are the different styles of champagne?
Within the umbrella of champagne, there are different varieties and labelling terms you may come across — for instance, you may see many labelled brut.
“Brut is a term on the champagne label to declare the wine dry in taste. The term extra brut means ‘extra dry’ verses the term sec or demi-sec which means sweet,” O’Reilly explains. “All the styles have their place, particularly when matched with food. For example, extra brut champagne and Sydney rock oysters or a demi-sec champagne with a baked pear mille feuille are all life changing champagne & food experiences.”
Where do the best sparkling wines in Australia come from?
In the culture of winemaking, terroir — the environmental factors which influence the character of a wine — is everything. Thus, according to O’Reilly, there are specific regions in Australia which are better suited to the creation of quality sparkling wines.
“High quality champagne and sparkling wines all have the one common thread, which is a high-quality grape resource,” he explains. “Champagne is a very cool climate area for wine production, and so are the best Australian regions. The key factor to cool climate viticulture is the long, slow grape ripening conditions that allow the fresh zippy acid retention that gives sparkling wine it’s refreshing aftertaste.”
“Cool climate Victoria, Tasmania and the Adelaide Hills are the perfect regions to explore.”
How do you serve and drink champagne?
Though it can be something of a divisive question, with a plethora of answers, O’Reilly believes in a few core tenets of champagne enjoyment — related to the temperature, the glassware, and the foods with which they can be paired.
“Firstly, you must always drink champagne and sparkling wines chilled — not ice-cold as to harm your teeth, but ideally 10 degrees is the optimal temperature for all styles of sparkling,” he begins.
On the subject of glassware, O’Reilly notes that the classic long-stem flute may be elegant and ideal for social occasions, “but the small diameter of the flute doesn’t allow all the ‘wine’ complexity to meet the consumer”.
“A trend towards larger wine bowls made for grape varieties like riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir are now more commonly embraced by consumers and connoisseurs (particularly in at home consumption),” he continues. “These larger glasses allow more room for the deeper complexities in sparkling wine to emerge and display the true craftsmanship.”
And finally, when it comes to food pairing, he believes that there are plenty of options beyond canapés and seafood.
“The naturally high acidity allows for the wine to clean the palate of bold flavour like French fries (with aioli) or fried chicken, but also can work beautifully with delicate raw seafood like oysters and sashimi,” he says. “The rosé style has more power and weight (because of the red wine inclusion) and can match heavy dishes of confit or roast duck, or even Wagyu steak with reduction sauces.”
Is champagne a good birthday gift?
When in doubt, champagne always makes for a great birthday gift — as O’Reilly said, it’s the “universal language for celebration”. In fact, Moët & Chandon now ofter an exclusive birthday gifting service, which allows you to personalise a bottle of their iconic bubbles with a customised birthday message. And if you really want to go all out, the luxe birthday party delivery features a personalised bottle alongside branded glassware, a birthday cake, and balloons — hand-delivered by Moët’s champagne concierge. Find out more here.
