Pet' Nat'

What is sparkling wine?

A sparkling wine, mousseux, or effervescent wine (they are all the same thing), is a wine containing carbon dioxide that produces effervescence in the bottle, appreciated both as an aperitif and throughout a meal. Champagne, Crémant, Cava, sparkling wines, natural sparkling wines, and regional wines made using the ancestral method all fall into this category. The majority of sparkling wines are white, but rosés are not uncommon. Red sparkling wines, however, are rare: for example, Lambrusco from Italy.

There are two main methods for producing sparkling wine: the traditional method or "méthode champenoise" (the latter term is only authorized in Champagne) and the ancestral method. They differ in the fermentation process. Whatever type of sparkling wine we offer — Champagne, traditional method, or natural sparkling wine — it will always be organic and natural, with no added sulfites.

Sparkling wines are produced from many grape varieties, most often white. In the case of Champagne, the main grape varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. In the Loire Valley, you will find Crémants made from Chenin or Sauvignon. In Alsace, Crémants are made from Chardonnay and Alsatian grape varieties (Sylvaner, Muscat…). Clairette de Die’s main grape varieties are Muscat and Clairette, and Blanquette de Limoux — the ancestor of sparkling wines — is predominantly Mauzac with minority Chardonnay and Chenin. In Italy, traditional sparkling wines include Prosecco, Franciacorta, and Moscato d’Asti. In Spain, Cavas made from Muscat or Malvasia are famous.

What is the difference between a "vin mousseux" and a "vin pétillant"?

None, a priori. The real difference lies between Champagnes and Crémants on the one hand, and ancestral method wines on the other, which can come from any region. While Champagnes and Crémants exhibit a certain stylistic unity (fine bubbles, lively mousse), other effervescent wines can have larger bubbles and a more or less persistent mousse. Crémant gets its name from the fact that its bottle pressure was once lower than that of Champagne, which gave it a denser, creamier mousse. This is no longer the case today.

What are the differences between a sparkling white wine and Champagne?

From a legal standpoint, only sparkling wines produced in Champagne can be called "Champagne." This is the basic difference. Another difference is that Champagne must be made using the traditional/Champenoise method, while other sparkling wines can be made using other methods. Finally, Champagne must be made from seven traditional grape varieties, with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier being the main ones. All sparkling wines that are not Champagne can be made from many other grape varieties.

Which sparkling wine to choose as a substitute for Champagne?

The choice is immense! All sparkling wines, especially our natural sparkling wines that you will find on this site, are delicious, festive, and joyful. You can choose any of the ancestral method wines we have in our cellar (sparkling wines from Catalonia or the Loire), as well as Crémants from all regions, Blanquettes de Limoux, Clairettes de Die, or even Asti Spumante or Franciacorta.

What to pair sparkling wines with?

With everything, and more specifically with all festive dishes: delicate appetizers, canapés, buffets, caviar, oysters, smoked salmon, and all smoked fish… Other perfect pairings: seafood platters, Japanese cuisine (sushi, sashimi), fish and poultry in cream sauce, with or without truffles… Sparkling wines also pair very well with puff pastries, whether savory or sweet: vol-au-vent, bouchée à la reine, hot pâtés, Galette des Rois, Pithiviers… With rosé sparkling wines, you can dare to try red fruit desserts: strawberries, cherries, or raspberries.

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47 products

Chassornade Sparkling White 2023
Frédéric Cossard

Chassornade Sparkling White 2023

€36,00

Partida-Creus-BS-2015
Partida Creus

BS Ancestral Sparkling White 2015

€68,90

Magnum MC Macabeu Sparkling White 2019
Partida Creus

Magnum MC Macabeu Sparkling White 2019

€74,50

Partida-Creus-Magnum-VY-Ancestral-2015-vin-naturel-petillant-blanc
Partida Creus

VY Ancestral Sparkling White 2015

€107,10

Magnum XL Ancestral Sparkling White 2015
Partida Creus

Magnum XL Ancestral Sparkling White 2015

€115,00