Difference between Sparkling Wine and Champagne (With Table)

When people get exhausted they would like to refresh themselves. Most prefer to refresh their bodies using various drinks.

Sparkling wine and champagne are some of the drinks that people take to refresh their bodies. Most people use the words interchangeably but the two are totally different from each other.

All sparkling wines made in champagne are governed by strict rules and regulations. Only certain grapes and production processes are allowed.

All champagne is sparkling wine but not all sparkling wine is champagne. True champagne comes from France.

So, what is the main difference between sparkling wine and champagne? Sparkling wine is saturated with molecules of carbon dioxide gas which makes them fizzy or bubbly while champagne is a type of sparkling wine.

For more information about the difference between sparkling wine and champagne in tabular form continue reading the article. You will also get to learn of the similarities.

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Comparison Table (Sparkling Wine vs Champagne)

Basic Terms Sparkling Wine Champagne
Where made It is found all over the world. It is only made in France.
Type of grapes used It is made from any type of grape. It is made using a specific types of grapes that is pinot noir, Pinot Meunier, and chardonnay.
Preparation Carbon dioxide is pumped into the bottle. Carbon dioxide is not pumped into the bottle.

What is Sparkling Wine?

Sparkling wine is saturated with molecules of carbon dioxide gas which makes sit fizzy or bubbly. It is found all over the world.

It has significant levels of carbon dioxide in it. It is usually white or rose although there is also red sparkling wine.

Its sweetness ranges from dry brut styles to sweeter doux varieties. The sparkling quality comes from its carbon dioxide content.

It is made in a traditional tank designed to withstand the pressures involved. Some cheaper sparkling wines, carbon dioxide is injected into them.

What is Champagne?

Champagne is one type of sparkling wine. It differs from the rest of the wines by where it is made, the type of grapes used, and the process involved in making it.

Champagne is made specifically in Paris France. There are seven types of grapes that are used in making it but the most used types are three.

The common types of grapes used include; pinot noir, Pinot Meunier, and chardonnay. The process used is fermentation.

It goes through the method champagne or the traditional method. Grapes are hand-picked and pressed only twice in a covered environment.

The juice is blended together and placed in cellars. The second fermentation takes place in the bottle itself. Carbon dioxide is created and captured within the bottle which carbonates the wine.

It is time-consuming but in the end, it gives the champagne the yeasty character and crisp acidity that is known and loved by many people.

Main Difference between Sparkling Wine and Champagne

  1. Sparkling wine is made from various types of grapes while champagne is made from a specific types of grapes.
  2. Sparkling wine is added carbon dioxide gas to make it fizzy and bubbly while champagne is not added carbon dioxide gas.
  3. Sparkling wine is made from all over the world while champagne is made specifically in Paris in France.

Similarities between Sparkling Wine and Champagne

  1. Both are made from grapes.
  2. Both are made through the fermentation process.

Conclusion

Sparkling wine and champagne are both drinks that are enjoyed by many people all over the world. They are made from grapes but under different rules and regulations.

However, the two are totally different from each other from the way they are made to the way they taste. The main difference between sparkling wine and champagne is that sparkling wine is saturated with carbon dioxide molecules to make it fizzy or bubbly while champagne is a type of sparkling wine that is not saturated with carbon dioxide molecules to make it fizzy.

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