What is sparkling wine? The clear guide 2025

Sparkling wine, Prosecco, Champagne – sparkling wine is among the most festive drinks of all. This guide provides a concise overview of what makes sparkling wine special, how it's produced, the different styles, and what to look for when buying it. Plus: a lighter alternative if classic aperitifs are too sweet or heavy for your taste.

What counts as sparkling wine?

Sparkling wines are defined as wines with dissolved carbon dioxide and noticeable bubbles. Examples include Champagne (France), Crémant (France), Sekt (Germany), Prosecco (Italy), and Cava (Spain). The origin, grape varieties, and production method determine the style and taste.

Origin story – brief & easy to understand

The famous Dom Pérignon story is legendary – but it illustrates the core principle: a second fermentation produces carbon dioxide and the fine perlage. This can take place in the bottle (traditional method) or in a tank (Charmat method).

Overview of manufacturing methods

• Traditional bottle fermentation (Méthode Traditionnelle): second fermentation in the bottle, long maturation on the lees → fine, persistent perlage, complex aromas.
• Tank fermentation (Charmat): second fermentation in a pressure tank → fruity, fresh, usually ready to drink earlier (typical: Prosecco).
• Transvasation process : Intermediate form for larger formats.
• Carbonation : CO₂ is added → simple, lively qualities.

Dryness levels – how sweet is “brut”?

The terms on the label indicate the residual sugar content (g/l). A rule of thumb: the "drier" the designation, the less sweet the sparkling wine tastes.

Designation	Residual sugar (g/l)	Impression
Brut Nature / Zero Dosage	0–3	very dry
Extra Brood	0–6	very dry
Brood	0–12	dry (most popular style)
Extra Dry	12–17	A noticeable hint of sweetness
Dry / Dry	17–32	noticeably sweeter
Semi-dry	32–50	sweet style
Sweet	> 50	Dessert wine character

The most important regions & styles

• Champagne : France's icon – complex, elegant, mostly traditionally fermented.
• Crémant : A more affordable, high-quality alternative from French regions (e.g., Alsace, Loire).
• Sparkling wine : Germany's classic – from Riesling-fresh to mature and creamy.
• Prosecco : Fruity and fresh from Italy (Glera), often fermented in tanks.
• Cava : Spain's price-performance tip from Catalonia, traditionally fermented.

If classic aperitifs are too sweet for you…

Many find Aperol and similar drinks with syrup or lemonade too sweet and heavy . Do you want to keep the aperitif moments – but enjoy them in a lighter way ? Then try a modern alternative:

CALOW – the light spritz for conscious enjoyment

• No added sugar (only 1.9 g sugar per 100 ml)
• Up to 70% fewer calories than classic aperitifs
• 6% vol. – pleasantly light, but with character
• Ready to drink – no mixing, just pour.
• Vegan & gluten-free

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Serving suggestions (also for CALOW)

• Sparkling wine: serve well chilled (6–8 °C) in a tulip-shaped glass.
• CALOW: in a wine glass with ice – depending on the variety with lime (grapefruit-lime), basil & blueberries (blueberry-basil) or mint (peach-mint-ginger).

Read more

Low-calorie drinks · Alcoholic beverages with little sugar · Spritz trend & recipes

Conclusion

Whether Champagne, sparkling wine, or Prosecco – sparkling wine offers the perfect style for every occasion. For those who prefer lighter and less sweet aperitifs, CALOW is the ideal alternative: fruity, crisp, easy to drink – and ready to serve.

👉 Try a lighter spritzer alternative