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When it comes to raising a glass in celebration, sparkling wines have always been the drink of choice. It’s easy to see why … a glass of fizz transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. Plus, with their delicate bubbles and crisp, refreshing flavours, they’re also extremely versatile.
So with the festive season just around the corner, you might be looking for the best sparkling wine to pop and enjoy.
After all, there are so many types to discover …
Champagne is undeniably a classic choice. But if you’re looking for something slightly different, there’s a range of alternatives to explore.
Whether you’re looking for a wine that will add a touch of sparkle to your everyday, or one to sip and savour at a party (or around the Christmas tree), our selection has you covered, whether you’re a fizz novice or a seasoned enthusiast.
What is sparkling wine?
In short, sparkling wine is a type of wine that contains bubbles. These bubbles occur because carbon dioxide is produced during the winemaking process.
Any red or white grape can be used to create a sparkling wine – but white and rosé styles are best known.
Sparkling wines come in a range of sweetness levels and flavours. This depends on:
The type(s) of grape used
If grapes are blended
Where they are grown
From dry to sweet – and everything in between, you can find the best sparkling wine for you based on your preference.
Champagne – Best classic indulgence
An iconic classic. Champagne is the epitome of luxury and celebration. When you want to really impress it’s definitely the bottle to reach for. And when it comes to Christmas and New Year celebrations, there are few bottles that add the same touch of indulgence and magic.
It’s important to remember that all Champagnes are sparkling wines, but not all sparkling wines are Champagne. For a wine to have the name “champagne”, it must be produced in the Champagne region of France. Dry in style, Champagne can be light to full-bodied, and offers complex tastes, a velvety texture, and a crisp acidity.
Some of our bestselling Champagne includes:
White – Dry
Taste notes: Lively, elegant mousse. Citrus and orchard fruits, toasted brioche
Aroma: Lemon, peach, red apple, redcurrants, subtle brioche notes
Champagne Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée NV
White – Dry
Tasting notes: Light mousse, apricot and lemon notes with a creamy toasty finish
Aroma: Citrusy grapefruit, blossom and creamy scents
Prosecco – Best budget option
If you’re looking for a versatile, budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing option, then Prosecco is your answer. Easy drinking, Prosecco has medium to high acidity and plenty of fruity, floral notes that make it a welcome glass for entertaining friends and family or elevating a Friday night.
Prosecco is usually dry and comes in various styles – frizzante (a gentle fizz) to spumante (full bubbles). Produced in Italy, Prosecco is typically made from the Glera grape, an aromatic white grape. This grape can also be blended with small amounts of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Discover our customer favourites:
White – Dry
Tasting notes: Gently fizzy, creamy texture; ripe apple, pear and citrus
Aroma: Pears, apples, citrus, hint of fresh bread
White – Medium
Tasting notes: Lively, fresh citrus and flinty minerality, apple, apricot fruit
Aroma: Crisp lemon, fresh minerality, ripe orchard fruits
Cava – Best wine rack staple
Cava is made using the same method as Champagne making it a great wallet-friendly alternative when you still want that touch of extra complexity and flavour. We love having a bottle or two in the wine rack ready for unexpected guests and those “shall I open another bottle?” moments.
A sparkling gem from Spain, Cava is known for its delicate bubbles and blend of zestiness and creaminess. Its style ranges from white to rosé and from very dry to sweet, with flavours of apple, pear, blossom, almond and citrus. Light-bodied with balanced acidity, Cava is a refreshing fizz at great value.
Shop our Cava:
¡H! Barcelona Organic Cava Brut Rosé
Rosé – Dry
Tasting notes: Ripe red berry filled mousse with elegant acidity
Aroma: Strawberry and raspberry with fresh citrus notes
¡H! Barcelona Organic Cava Brut NV
White – Dry
Tasting notes: Green fruits, grapefruit, herbal, crisp acidity
Aroma: Green apples, pear, citrus, white flowers, herbal notes
English Sparkling Wine – Best trendsetter
Why enjoy it now? England is making its mark on the sparkling wine scene – the south’s chalky soils have proven ideal for producing quality sparkling wine. The quality on offer from often small, family producers is incredible and well worth seeking out right now. It’s a top choice for getting the conversation started with festive appetizers and also makes a thoughtful gift for a wine lover.
As a style, English sparkling wine draws inspiration from Champagne, using the same main grape types and techniques. Often dry, with high acidity, a glass of English sparkling wine offers notes of almond and brioche, with honey, orange peel and crisp green apple.
Why not try…
White – Dry
Tasting notes: Citrus and apple purity, minerality; creaminess and biscuity notes
Aroma: Creamy stone fruits, apple and bright citrus, mineral note, brioche
Rosé – Very Dry
Tasting notes: Bright strawberry, lemon, undercut by a core of minerality, toasty
Aroma: Bright berry fruit, toasty brioche, creamy spice and minerality
Crémant – Best under-the-radar find
If you love the finesse of French sparkling wine but are looking for a budget-friendly alternative beyond Champagne for your festivities, then Crémant is for you. Still largely under the radar as a wine style, its popularity is on the rise so worth stocking up on now.
This sparkling wine is produced using similar methods to fine Champagne but in places like Alsace and the Loire Valley. Crémant offers an array of flavour profiles and is often made from blending Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc grapes. Often dry, with a rich, creamy texture, Crémant is a gentle-tasting sparkling wine with peach, green apple and honey notes.
Discover…
Roche Lacour Crémant de Limoux
White – Dry
Tasting notes: Generous flavours of ripe peach, pear and citrus. Gentle creamy mousse
Aroma: Rich, ripe citrus and peach with toasty biscuity hints
Sekt – Best unexpected pour
If you’re looking to buck the trend and serve something unexpected then say hello to Sekt – the German and Austrian term for sparkling wine. It also leans towards a sweeter style so is a great choice for those after-dinner fizz servings or to satisfy a sweet tooth.
If you’re not too familiar with this fizz style, don’t worry. Most of the premium Sekt is snapped up by locals. Premium Sekt is typically made using Riesling, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris grapes. Austrian Sekt typically uses Grüner Veltliner grapes, which gives the wine its golden hue. Sekt generally leans toward the sweet side of the sparkling wine section and can have juicy strawberry, blackcurrant and raspberry flavours, with nutty floral notes.
Finding the sweet spot
Depending on the food you’re serving or personal preference, our top tip for choosing a fizz is to pay attention to the sweetness levels. As mentioned above, the sweetness of sparkling wine varies but you’ll often find this labelled on the wine bottle.
Brut Nature
This style is extremely dry. As dry as a sparkling can be without being overpowered by acidity.
Extra-Brut
The style is very dry. During the fermentation process, the yeast consumes all of the sugar, so there is an absence of sweetness in these types of sparkling wines.
Brut
This is the most popular type of sparkling wine. Often dry, but with a hint of sweetness. Champagne is the most common bubbly labelled Brut.
Extra Dry
This type of sparkling wine is also dry but is noticeably sweeter than Brut or Extra-Brut. Prosecco is the most common sparkling wine produced in this style.
Dry / Sec
You’ll notice a pleasant sweetness to this type of wine. It’s sweeter than extra dry wines, but not quite as sweet as demic-sec.
Demi-sec
This type of sparkling wine is quite sweet with a noticeable sugar content. Ideal for pairing with desserts.
Doux
Doux wines really don’t hold back on their sweetness – they contain more sugar than a can of Coke! Great for finishing off a celebration.
How to enjoy your sparkling wine
For the best tasting experience, make sure to serve your sparkling wine well-chilled. This will keep the flavours fresh and vibrant. If you need help with specific serving temperatures, we’ve outlined that in our optimal wine serving temperature guide.
About the author
Brogan Wilson
Qualified to WSET Level 2 Wine, Brogan is a relatively new member of the team, having joined in September 2023. She previously worked as the sole copywriter at a creative marketing agency, and before that, as a primary school teacher. At Laithwaites HQ, you’ll find her growing her knowledge, asking lots of questions, and crafting both digital and print copy. An ardent red wine drinker, Brogan is also fond of Crémant.
