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    • Dec 22, 2023
    • 5 min read

All that fizz. 16 Sparkling Wines to try this festive season.

This festive season, be adventurous and explore different Champagnes, Crémant, Prosecco, Sparkling from all over the world.



Image from Pol Roger - One of the very few intact bottles recovered after the dramatic collapse of the Pol Roger cellars in 1900.


1. Champagne AOC, France

With over 300 cuvees and 80 houses represented in Australia, you sure can pick up an exquisite bottle of Champagne from Krug, Taittinger, Pol Roger, Ruinart, Pommery to smaller Houses and grower Champagnes like Ayala, Duval Leroy, Abele, Boll & Cie.


Blanc de Blanc refers to 100 % Chardonnay. Blanc de Noir are champagnes made with only red grapes such as Pinot Noir, Meunier. Challenge yourself by picking up a new bottle of Champagne that you have not tried before and learn about their story.




2. Crémant AOC, France

Cremant is sparkling wine from France that sits outside of the Champagne AOC designation. Other parts of France produces Sparkling wines too. Crémant de Bourgogne, de Alsace, de Loire, de Bordeaux are some of the regions that produces Sparkling Wines. Other grape varietals could be used.




3. Prosecco DOC(G), Italy

Prosecco is a sparking white wine made from the grape variety Glera, it’s produced in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions. Named after the province of Trieste, it is officially protected under EU’s PDO Protected Designated of Origin. It’s made using the Martinotti method of fermenting in the stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness of the fruit.


Photo by Wine Decanter


Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG is the hallmark of the best Prosecco wines. Complex aromas such as citrus with hints of floral notes, including ripe apple, peach, jasmine, pineapple, and grapefruit. Cartizze and Rive vineyards often have some mineral notes. Opt for Brut (Dry) or even Brut Nature.



4. Franciacorta DOCG, Italy



Franciacorta is a sparkling wine made in Metodo Classico with Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco from the region of Lombardy.


Otrepo Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG produces sparkling wine made with mainly Pinot Nero, a classical Blanc de Noir style.


Trento Doc is a Metodo Classico sparkling wine made in the region of Trentino - Alto Adige from Chardonay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero & Meunier grape



5. Lambrusco Spumante DOC(G), Italy

Lambrusco is a Red Sparkling wine made using the Charmat — Martinotti Method, mainly from Emila Romagna from a blend of Lambrusco family grape varieties from Lambrusco di Sorbara with strawberries notes to the Lambrusco Salamino of perfume and violets. Lambrusco Maestri is the fruitiest, creamiest with a signature bubble gum, candied violets, grapey appeal.



6. Australian Sparkling

Australian Sparkling are created in cool climates using traditional methods (or méthode traditionelle) Notable GI regions Tasmania, Victoria, parts of NSW regions and South Australia — Adelaide Hills Region which uses Chardonay, Pinot Noir and Meunier in their blends.


Image Janz Tasmania


Sparkling Shiraz is uniquely Australian. Originally named sparkling burgundy, was first created in 1881 by the Victorian Champagne Company. Matched with BBQ meats, cured meats & cheese, it’s a heavenly matched for the summery day.




7. Cava DO, Spain

Cava is Spanish sparkling wine made the same way that Champagne is produced, but with different grapes from 3 main white grapes, Macabeu, Parellada and Xarel·lo and traditional grapes varietals.


Cava is produced using the método tradicional, also known as Méthode Champenoise in Champagne, where it originated. In the método tradicional, yeast and sugar are combined with a still base wine in bottles. A second fermentation occurs in the bottle, trapping carbon dioxide in the wine, resulting in a bubbly beverage. https://theculturetrip.com/europe/spain/articles/cava-the-ultimate-guide-to-spanish-sparkling-wine/



8. German Sekt

Using Riesling to make an sparkling wine in the Traditional Champenoise method, the German Sekt expresses lots of stone fruit, high acidity with a juicy and round texture for pairing. With over five years on the lees, there's nothing as unique as a traditional method extra brut Riesling.



9. Espumante, Portugal

(pronounced ‘esh-pu-man-te) or Sparkling Wine


Bairrada DOC sparkling wine has a fine reputation, made from quick-pressed red Baga or Touriga Nacional grapes, fragrant white Maria Gomes, Arinto, Bical and sometimes nowadays Chardonnay. Luis Pato aka (the duck label) is considered the godfather of Bairrada using 100% Baga grapes to make sparkling wines. A popular dish Leitão Assado (Roasted Suckling Pig) and Espumante is paired heavenly. There’s something about rich suckling pig and sparkling wine that, when combined, never ceases to satisfy.


Dão DOC — Cool, high-altitude Távora-Varosa, south of the Douro, makes sparkling wines from the Malvasia Fina and, increasingly, international grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.


Douro DOC —Higher altitude Douro Vértice Gouveio, traditional methode, from a careful selection of grapes of the Gouveio variety, traditionally planted on the cool, upper slopes of the Alto Douro region. It is a sparkling wine with a very fine and persistent bubble, which releases a very fresh and elegant aroma.




Vinho Verde DOC, where some wines may have just a tiny prickle of fizz, added fully sparkling wines to its DOC regulations or in Pet Nat versions.





10. Sparkling Koshu, Japan

Japan is a wine growing country that is recognized for its preference of natural wine. The Koshu grape (pink-skinned) is one of the most popular in Japan and its presence dates back to over 1,000 years.



Ajimu Winery, Ajimumachi, Oita has expanded its growing area by planting Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Koshu, one of the oldest varieties of grapes grown in Japan.


Lumiere Winery, Yamanashi prefecture is famous for its quality Japanese wines. Located about 110 km from Tokyo to the west. All grapes are picked by hand and their sparkling wines are of the traditional method style. https://www.lumiere.jp/english




11. Cap Classique, South Africa

The Methode Cap Classique (MCC) sparkling wine is made using the traditional method (the way Champagne is made.)



12. Argentine Sparkling

Bubbles are Argentina's open secret. Chandon Argentina set the stage for the world of Argentine Sparklings, in the region of Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Names like Kaiken Metodo Tradicional Brut and Cruzat Brut uses a combination of Chardonnay & Pinot Noir planted in the Lujan de Cuyo region to create the freshier, crisp sparkling wine with firm acidity. Sparkling Rosé like Burbujas Espumante are made from 100% Bonarda grapes



13. British Fizz or Sparkling, UK

English Sparkling wines are making great headlines lately. Due to unexpected global warming, they are making exceptional sparkling wines and winning wines medals.


Made from a combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the exact same fruit used to create sparkling wine. The majority of vineyards can be found in the South-East, with grapes thriving in the cool-climate, chalky soil.


Gusbourne Reserve NV Brut Magnum, Kent & West Sussex, UK | https://www.gusbourne.com/wines/sparkling-wines




14. Espumante, Chile

As we are closely following the wines of Chile, Espumante Chileano presents an exciting assortment of Charmat NV Sparklings to the Vintage Metodo Classico method using both Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other grapes like Cinsault in the cooler climate regions of Chile; Limari, Central, Aconcagua Costa, Casablanca Valley. Sparkling Angel, Montes NV Brut, Tabali Tatie NV Brut




15. Sparkling, Ningxia

While Pet-Nat is trending, due to producers like Lingering Clouds, Xiao Pu (Petit Garden) and Mountain Wave, new players like Devo making bubbly the traditional way. Devo Blanc de Blanc 2018, is aged 36 months on lees with bright acidity and notes of lemon, honey, peach, nuts, honey and white flowers.



16. Sparkling, Thailand

Made entirely from Colombard grapes grown at Monsoon Valley vineyard in the region of Hua Hin, the popular resort town has the climate suitable to grow grapes used for wine production, Monsoon Valley Brut Prestige Sparkling has a golden yellow hue and boasts an intense fruity note of lemon, peach, cherry and stone fruit with balanced acidity.


Credit Facebook/ Monsoon Vallley, Hua Hin Thailand




Happy Festivus

Drink Champagne & Sparkling responsibly and for your safety, please do not attempt to sabrage bottles.


Curated by

Matthieu is based in Paris and works on 777 & A350 as Chef de Cabine PNC. He is also an onboard Sommelier. JJ is based in Sydney and works on 787 & A380 as a Business First Cabin Crew and is a Sommelier.


​Published 22 December 2023

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