Only the sparkling wine made within the French
province of Champagne can be called champagne. All other sparkling wine is
known as cremont in France, spumante in Italy, cava in Spain, sekt in Germany
and Austria, sparkling wine in England and penina in Slovenia. It can be made
from various wine types. We know of white, red and rosé sparkling wines.
BUBBLES IN THE GLASS
Sparkling wine contains three forms of carbon dioxide.
The first is gas, floating freely within the unfilled space of the bottle. The
second is the melting form, when the gas melts within the liquid and creates
carbon acid. The third form is the binding form, when the carbon acid binds
with alcohol. It is this form that enables the small chain of bubbles to form,
which we affectionally call sparks. A good sparkling wine must produce foam.
Foaming occurs at the surface of the glass, by the glass’ edge, and in high
quality wine continues foaming for at least three to four minutes.
WHAT TO DRINK SPARKLING WINE FROM?
It is recommended that sparkling wine should be drank
from purpose made glasses. These should be tall and slender. The most
appropriate is the Tulip, as the bubbles are more visible. If the bubbles are
tiny, plentiful and long lasting, then we can be sure we are drinking quality
sparkling wine.
TEMPERATURE
Sparkling wine is served cold, but not colder than 6
degrees Celsius. The ideal temperature ranges from 6 to 8 degrees Celsius.