Kady Smith is an experienced wine professional with a passion for demystifying wine and making it more approachable to enthusiasts of all levels. Beginning her career as a tasting bar attendant at a local winery, they quickly developed a deep appreciation for wine and its complexities. After relocating to Vancouver, Kady honed her expertise at prominent wine retailers, gaining valuable knowledge and advancing to senior roles. For the past three years, she has served as the International Wine Buyer at Angry Otter Liquor, where she continues to expand our portfolio while helping to cultivate a more accessible and enjoyable wine experience. With a strong commitment to education and a focus on quality, Kady is dedicated to making wine both approachable and exciting for all.

As someone who has worked in the wine industry for a long time, but not that long. Do years matter? I cannot tell you how many times I've been asked for a champagne recommendation only to realize the guest wanted something bubbly and delicious. It's no wonder why Champagne is synonymous with sparkling wine; after all, it is assumed to be the birthplace of many wine enthusiasts. However, is it?

Like Champagne, Prosecco refers to a place, but what does that tell you about the wine? How do you decide between them? Knowing the fundamental differences between these labels and the production methods can help predict how they might taste, making it easier to choose. It's like a superpower! Allow me to help with the superpower of Sparkling Wine Taste Prediction! (We'll workshop that.)

Before diving into the differences between these wine styles, we need a little chemistry lesson. Fermentation is a chemical reaction wherein yeast consumes sugar, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide. All sparkling wines are fermented twice. The grapes' juice is fermented first, creating a base wine that is then transferred into a second vessel for secondary fermentation. We could dive more into the science here, but then I'd have to get my textbooks out. So, let's not and say we did instead.

Now that we understand how all sparkling wine is produced, we can understand how the different types may differ.

The Basics of Champagne

Region: Northeast France. Champagne covers about 84,000 acres with three main sub-appellations. From north to south, these appellations include Montagne de Reims, Vallee de la Marne, and Cote des Blancs.

Varieties: There are 3 varieties used, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. That said, they may differ in labels on the bottle.

• “Cuvee” = blend of grapes
• “Blanc de Blanc” = 100% Chardonnay.
• “Blanc de Noir” = Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Production Method: Champagne is made using a traditional method; the base wine is bottled with yeast and sugar to start the second fermentation. The carbon dioxide produced is trapped in the bottle and carbonates the wine. After fermentation, the wine ages in the bottle with the dead yeast cells (known as lees). Stored horizontally, the bottles are gradually tilted upside down in a process called riddling. Riddling aims to get all the lees to settle in the neck of the bottle. Once the wine has aged a minimum of 15 months, it is ready to be disgorged. The neck of the bottle is frozen, creating a kind of yeasty ice cork that is ejected by the bottle's pressure. It's then topped with some reserve wine (dosage) and corked. Because of the close ratio of wine to yeast and the extended aging on the lees, the wine contains a yeasty, bready, nutty flavour.

Profile: Medium-bodied, high acid, dry, with creaming bubbles. The flavour profile is complex with citrus, baked apple, pear, apricot, toast, brioche, marzipan, and mushroom. Champagne will have more of those savoury notes.

Pairings: Creamy pasta and risotto with truffle are great choices if cooking a dinner. It's also the perfect brunch companion with a classic breakfast of eggs and bacon. It's also a great choice for salty light snacks. Think oysters or soft cheese like Brie, Edam, and Gouda. My personal favourite is simple salted potato chips! Perfection. I may have had a Champagne and potato chip Birthday Party.

Fun Fact: Contrary to popular belief, Dom Perignon didn't invent Champagne. While he advanced the region with blending techniques and vineyard research, he likely saw sparkling wine as a flaw. The origins are more likely British, adding a dash of controversy. The English, known for their sturdy glass bottles and love of sweet wine, imported sugary French wine in barrels during the cold winter months. As temperatures rose, fermentation restarted, creating bubbles that the strong English bottles could withstand. The result? Carbonated wine became a sensation. Less poetic monastery monks, more clever pub-goers—sorry to burst the romance!

Champagne Recommendations

Veuve Clicquot: A classic sparkling wine with its iconic yellow label. Often called a gateway Champagne, it delights with flavours of apple, pear, citrus, and hints of pastry and brioche. A win in any Champagne lover's book! If you ever see Veuve Clicquot's La Grande Dame, which is only made in the best vintages, don't sleep on it!

Chavost D'assemblage Brut Nature: A small-batch gem available at select Angry Otter Liquor locations. Made from 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Meunier from organic vineyards, it's aged 18–20 months on lees. Expect notes of Granny Smith apple, lemon, light florals, red fruits like strawberry, and hints of caramel, butter, and pastry. Bright and lemony, this ultra-dry Brut Nature skips the sugar in the dosage.

The Basics of Prosecco

Region: Northeast of Italy. Prosecco DOC, Denominazione di Origine Controllata or controlled denomination of origin, covers a relatively large around Venice.

Varieties: Glera grapes.

Production Method: The Charmat Method involves a second fermentation in a pressurized tank, where yeast and sugar create carbon dioxide, giving the wine its sparkle. This approach preserves the fresh fruit flavours and bright acidity, thanks to a shorter time on lees and a higher wine-to-yeast ratio. Unlike Champagne, where the second fermentation happens in the bottle for deeper yeast interaction, Prosecco spends less time with the lees. This beautifully highlights the vibrant, fruit-forward character of the Glera grape.

Profile: Prosecco offers a light, fresh, and fruity profile with notes of honeydew, pear, and apple. It's sometimes sweet but look for "Brut" on the label for a drier option. I prefer "Extra Dry"—ironically slightly sweeter—because it enhances the bright fruit flavours Prosecco is famous for.

Pairings: The fresh acidity helps cut through rich and fatty dishes like cured meats, cheeses, and hollandaise sauce, making it the perfect brunch companion. Or match the freshness with Spicy Asian dishes, fresh fruit, or a summer salad.

Fun Fact: Prosecco DOC was established in 2009! Before then, "Prosecco" referred to the grape itself. With the DOC's creation, the grape was renamed Glera to protect the name "Prosecco" and tie it to its place of origin. Like Champagne, only wines made within the designated Prosecco DOC can bear the name.

Prosecco Recommendations

Lamarca: A classic Prosecco at a great price. Fresh and fruity with green apple, pear, peach, and citrus notes. Perfect for no-fuss moments!

Bellenda Fratelli Cosmo: Exclusive to Angry Otter, this Prosecco elevates your experience. Sourced from prized south-facing slopes, it's more complex and intense than most. It balances fragrance and crispness with notes of Golden Delicious apple, peach, and wisteria, delivering a smooth, well-structured finish.

Obviously, there is so much more to the world of sparkling wine. We barely scratched the surface – what about Cava, Crémant, Tasmania? For another post I suppose. However, with the holiday season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to grab some sparkling wine for all the toasts, celebrations, and festive fun ahead. Whether you're popping a classic Champagne, or enjoying a refreshing Prosecco, Angry Otter has a bubbly for every occasion.

Swing by your local Angry Otter Liquor and let us help you pick the perfect bottle to make this holiday season sparkle. Cheers to plenty of toasts and unforgettable moments!