12/12/08 Buying Bubbly

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. There are some who think that Champagne can only by those knowledgeable enough to appreciate it. WRONG! It is simple and you only need to know a few key things to buy it. When I learned how to tell one bubbly wine from another it helped me a lot. First of all Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France. It is made mostly from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. If the wine bubbles and it comes from say California it is sparkling wine not Champagne. Bubbly is a beverage described by how dry it is so the term Brut means it is very dry. If it says brut extra it is even drier. But if it says extra dry, it really means it is a bit sweeter than Brut. Don't ask me I have no idea how that came about, it just is. Now Italian sparkling wines named Asti Spumante are fairly sweet and usually made from the Moscato grape which has a beautiful fragrance. They are usually lower in alcohol as well. Now wines that are slightly pink or salmon color are Rose' and also follow the dryness scale, so Brut Rose is a drier style. Some sparkling wine and Champagne can be from one vintage and it will state the year of the harvest on the label. But more often the wine is a blend of several vintages in order to maintain a consistent style. And one last note, shop for these wines with either the words Methode Champenoise or individually fermented in this bottle to be sure you are getting the good stuff! That's it, have fun shopping for bubbly and thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.