Types of Sparkling Wine: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava

The main types of sparkling wine are Champagne, Prosecco, Cava and Cremant, plus other traditional method wines such as English sparkling wine. Each is defined by where it is made and how it gets its bubbles, not just by having bubbles.

Two methods explain most of the differences. In the traditional method, the second fermentation that creates the bubbles happens inside the bottle. In the tank method, also called the Charmat method, it happens in a large pressurized tank.

What are the main types of sparkling wine?

What is Champagne?

Champagne is sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France, using approved grapes (primarily Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and the traditional method. Extended aging on the lees, the spent yeast cells, gives it toasty, bready notes alongside its fruit. Non-vintage bottlings aim for a consistent house style year to year, while vintage Champagne reflects a single harvest.

What is Prosecco?

Prosecco is sparkling wine from northeastern Italy, made primarily from the Glera grape using the tank method. Because the second fermentation happens in a tank, it keeps more fresh fruit character and tastes lighter and less yeasty than Champagne. It is generally meant to be enjoyed young rather than cellared.

What is Cava?

Cava is Spain's traditional method sparkling wine, made primarily from indigenous grapes such as Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada, though Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are also permitted. Reserva and Gran Reserva Cava spend longer aging on the lees than standard Cava, which gives a richer profile.

What is Cremant?

Cremant is French traditional method sparkling wine made outside the Champagne region, most notably Cremant de Loire, Cremant d'Alsace and Cremant de Bourgogne. It uses the same bottle fermentation as Champagne but different grapes and regions, and it cannot use the Champagne name.

What other traditional method sparkling wines are there?

Other traditional method sparkling wines include English sparkling wine, which is increasingly made from the same grapes as Champagne, and regional Spanish and Italian bottlings outside the Cava and Prosecco designations. They are worth exploring once you know the four core styles.

Vintage vs. Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine

What is the difference between vintage and non-vintage sparkling wine?

Non-vintage sparkling wine, labeled NV, is blended from multiple years to keep a consistent house style, while vintage sparkling wine comes entirely from a single harvest and reflects that year's conditions.

Most Champagne and Cava is non-vintage, because blending across years lets a producer deliver the same recognizable style regardless of any one season. Prosecco does not generally follow this distinction in practice, since most of it is meant to be drunk young, and Cremant follows the Champagne pattern, with non-vintage as the standard and vintage as the exception.

Which sparkling wine should you choose for what?

Choose by the occasion and the style you want, not just the label. It is also the season when many people stock up, so check what sparkling wine you already have before you buy more.

For a structured, toasty style: Champagne, or a traditional method wine such as Cava or Cremant.

For a light, fruity style to drink young: Prosecco.

For traditional method character from Spain: Cava, with Reserva and Gran Reserva for more depth.

For traditional method character from France outside Champagne: Cremant.

How should you serve sparkling wine?

Serve sparkling wine well chilled. Temperature affects both aroma and the feel of the bubbles more than it does for most still wine, and Prosecco's fruit can get muted if it is served too cold. For exact temperatures by style, see the serving temperature guide. For serving a crowd, see the hosting guide for collectors.

How do you track sparkling wine in your collection?

Log each bottle with its producer, vintage and style, and note when you plan to drink it. Most sparkling wine is meant to be drunk sooner than age-worthy still reds, and for traditional method wines the disgorgement date, when the lees were removed, is worth noting if the label shows it. InVintory lets you log producer, vintage and tasting notes for each bottle, so you know which sparkling bottles to open now.

For more on grapes and styles, see our guides to red wine varieties and white wine varieties, and for pink wine, our guide to Provence rosé.

Not sure which sparkling style suits your meal? Ask Vincent, your AI sommelier.

FAQ

What is the difference between Champagne and Prosecco?

Champagne is French and made with the traditional method, with a second fermentation in the bottle. Prosecco is Italian and made with the tank method, which gives a lighter, fruitier style.

Is Cava the same as Champagne?

No, but it uses the same traditional method, so it can show similar structure. Cava is made in Spain from different grapes, and Reserva and Gran Reserva spend longer on the lees.

What is Cremant, and how is it different from Champagne?

Cremant is traditional method sparkling wine made in French regions outside Champagne, such as the Loire, Alsace and Burgundy. It uses the same bottle fermentation but different grapes and regions.

Does sparkling wine need to be stored differently than still wine?

The same basics apply: a cool, dark, steady place, and on its side if it has a cork. See the wine storage temperature guide for the numbers.

Ready to log your sparkling wine? Get started with InVintory.