Guide to the best bubbly for the holidays

The holidays are the perfect time of year to celebrate with a glass of bubbly. Sparkling wine is a holiday favorite since it is versatile enough to enjoy with any kind of food and at any type of gathering (it’s equally comfortable with cocktail attire as with fuzzy slippers after a long day of hosting).

With so many sparkling styles to choose from, how do you select the best bottle for your celebrations? What is the difference between sparkling wine and Champagne? And which is drier: “extra dry” or “brut”?

Here’s a guide to all things sparkling wine.

Champagne

All Champagnes are sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wines are Champagne.

In order to carry the name, Champagne must come from that little eponymous region of France and be prepared using the méthode champenoise, which is a specific double-fermentation technique. Anything else is is simply sparkling wine.

Typically, Champagne is produced using chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot Meunier grapes. Bottles are often labeled to denote the type of grape used.

Blanc de Blancs: A French term meaning “white from whites.” This is white Champagne made exclusively from the white chardonnay grape. It is driven on citrus and sometimes brioche flavors.

Blanc de Noirs: A French term meaning “white from blacks.” This is a white Champagne made from black grapes (pinot noir, pinot Meunier). It is driven on red fruit.

Fine Champagnes often exhibit almondlike flavors, with subtle notes of lemon, orange zest and white cherry. The aging process of yeast particles (called lees) often gives Champagne aromas like toast, brioche or biscuit.

Other sparkling wines

Typically, Champagne will be the most expensive of all the sparkling wine, but there are plenty of sparkling wine varieties that offer quality at a more affordable price point.

Asti (Spumante): This is a sweet sparkling wine made from the moscato grape in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. Expect sweet aromas of peaches, fresh grapes, orange blossoms and crisp Meyer lemons. The flavor tingles on your tongue from acidity and light carbonation. The wine may be sweet, but alcohol levels are surprisingly low. Moscato d’Asti are typically just 5.5 percent alcohol by volume.

Cava: This is a Spanish sparkling wine that is also made using the méthode champenoise, but it uses a variety of regional grapes with varying levels of sweetness. Cava is a great pick for larger gatherings. It is a lightto medium-bodied, typically dry, sparkling wine with zesty citrus flavors, a distinct minerality and racy acidity. Cavas aged longer on the lees often develop a beautiful baked apple note and a pronounced nuttiness.

Cremant: This is sparkling wine made in France outside of Champagne region using the méthode champenoise. Common in the Loire, Burgundy and Alsace regions, it is an amazing value — especially if you choose varieties made with chardonnay or pinot noir grapes.

Prosecco: This is an aromatic and fruity sparkling wine made from the glera grape in the Veneto region of northeast Italy, usually with less a expensive production method. Prosecco commonly brings aromas of pear, light lemon and a touch of white floral on the nose

As you read the labels, you may notice terms that indicate the residual sugar level in the sparkling wine, which helps you choose a bottle that is dry (less sweet) or sweet.

From the driest to sweetest: Brut Zero or Brut Natural: no sugar has been added; typically 0-3 grams per liter residual sugar

Extra Brut: <0-6 grams per liter residual sugar

Brut: 0-12 grams per liter residual sugar

Extra Dry: 12-17 grams per liter residual sugar

Dry (Sec): 17-32 grams per liter residual sugar

Semi-Dry (Demi-Sec): 32-50 grams per liter residual sugar

There is one more style that is very sweet called doux, but it is uncommon these days.

Whichever sparkling wine you choose, remember that each one is designed with celebration in mind. Pair the sparkling wine with your favorite foods and favorite friends for the perfect party.

And, of course, if you prefer nonalcoholic bubbles, there are

a number of sparkling grape juices available nationwide, or consider making your own, by infusing seltzer with your favorite pureed fruit.

Brian Hagiwara / Getty Images Sparkling wine is a holiday favorite since it is versatile enough to enjoy with any kind of food and at any type of gathering (it’s equally comfortable with cocktail attire as with fuzzy slippers after a long day of hosting).