On New Year’s Eve it is customary to raise a glass of champagne and make a wish. This moment is always filled with joy, anticipation of miracles, and a festive mood. In everyday speech, we often call any sparkling wine champagne, although in reality there are different types of this drink: champagne, light prosecco, and sparkling wines as such. Each of them has its own unique flavor nuances and character.
In this article, we will talk about their features and the subtleties of production. We have also compiled a ranking of champagnes for the New Year from the Mydutyfree catalog. This will help you get acquainted with the best options and choose champagne for the New Year to make your evening truly special.
Champagne
Champagne gets its name from the French region of Champagne, known for producing the most refined sparkling wines. To protect the uniqueness of this beverage, the French created the CIVC organization, which determines that only wine produced in this region may be called champagne.
The Champagne region is divided into five zones, each of which differs in climate, soil, and vegetation. These factors influence the taste and quality of champagne.
Grape varieties:
- Main: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
- Additional: Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris (they occupy only 0.3% of the territory)
Classification by sweetness:
- Brut Nature — up to 3 g/l of sugar, with no added sugar
- Extra Brut — up to 6 g/l
- Brut — up to 12 g/l
- Extra Sec — 12–17 g/l
- Sec — 17–32 g/l
- Demi-Sec — 32–50 g/l
- Doux — over 50 g/l
Types of champagne by grape variety:
- Brut — a classic blend of the three main grape varieties
- Blanc de Noirs — Pinot Noir or a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, berry aroma
- Blanc de Blancs — 100% Chardonnay, fruity notes (lemon, apple)
- Rosé — blending white champagne with Pinot Noir
- Vintage — grapes from a single harvest, not produced every year
Production process:
- Hand harvesting of grapes.
- Gentle pressing of the juice without seeds and skins.
- Fermentation for about 2 weeks under controlled conditions.
- Additional fermentation stages over several weeks.
Prosecco
Prosecco is one of the most famous sparkling wines of Italy. It is often called “Italian champagne,” but the production technology, grape varieties, and climate are significantly different.
The history of Prosecco dates back to ancient Rome. According to legend, the light white wine was the favorite drink of Livia, wife of Emperor Octavian Augustus. Grapes were grown on the slopes of Valdobbiadene as early as the 6th century. The first written record of the term “Prosecco” dates back to 1754. Modern Prosecco was formed at the end of the 19th century when Federico Martinotti invented the tank method of secondary fermentation, which was refined and patented 15 years later by the Frenchman Charma. In the 20th century, the classic style of Prosecco emerged: light, moderately sparkling (3 atmospheres, compared to 5–6 for champagne), moderately sweet, with fruity aroma and refreshing acidity.
The boundaries of the Prosecco wine region were defined in the 1930s. It covers 5 provinces of the Veneto region and 4 provinces of Friuli Venezia Giulia in northeastern Italy. All nine provinces produce sparkling wine under the Prosecco DOC category.
Types of Prosecco:
- Spumante (sparkling) — sparkling wine under pressure of at least 3 atmospheres, stable perlage, 11% alcohol, 14 g/l sugar.
- Frizzante (semi-sparkling) — lightly sparkling wine under pressure of 2.5 atmospheres, less stable perlage, up to 10.5% alcohol.
- Tranquillo (quiet) — rare, almost still wine (pressure less than 1 atmosphere), refreshing fruity taste; the vintage is not crucial, usually consumed as “young” wine.
Sparkling wines
Sparkling wines are produced in many countries around the world and differ from Champagne and Prosecco in production method, grape varieties, and style.
The most famous regions and countries of production:
- Italy — besides Prosecco, popular sparkling wines come from Friuli, Lombardy (Franciacorta), and Veneto.
- Spain — Cava from Catalonia, traditionally made from local grape varieties Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo.
- Germany — Sekt, light and refreshing wine, often made from Riesling.
- USA — California, using a method similar to classic Champagne, popular wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- Australia and New Zealand — sparkling wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, similar to classic Champagne.
Classification of sparkling wines by production method:
- Traditional method (Méthode Traditionnelle / Classic Method) — secondary fermentation in the bottle, provides fine, persistent bubbles and complex aroma.
- Tank method (Charmat / Tank Method) — secondary fermentation in large tanks, larger bubbles, more fruity and fresh aroma.
- Carbonated or artificially sparkling wine — carbon dioxide added artificially, cheaper method, less complexity in taste.
Types of sparkling wines by pressure and style:
- Brut / Extra Brut — dry, minimal sugar
- Extra Dry / Sec — moderately sweet
- Demi-Sec / Sweet — sweet, often for desserts
- Rosé Sparkling — pink sparkling wines, usually from Pinot Noir
Sparkling wines from different regions have distinctive characteristics. French and Italian wines are usually more fruity and refreshing. Spanish wines have a light nutty note. German Sekt is refreshing with gentle acidity. American and Australian sparkling wines are rich in fruity aromas and have a soft taste.
Key differences
Champagne, prosecco, and other sparkling wines differ not only by country of origin but also by production technology, taste characteristics, and price.
Price and production:
Champagne is significantly more expensive than Prosecco and most other sparkling wines. Its production is limited, and the number of bottles is smaller than that of Prosecco or sparkling wines from other regions. Manual labor plays a key role at all stages of Champagne production, making it particularly valuable.
Aging:
- Champagne is distinguished by long aging in cellars, usually from 15 months to several years.
- Prosecco — only a few weeks or almost no aging.
- Other sparkling wines, depending on the region and method, are usually aged for a short time, especially when produced using the Charmat method.
Production method:
- Champagne is made using the traditional method with secondary fermentation in the bottle.
- Prosecco is produced using the tank method, resulting in a lighter, fruitier wine with fewer bubbles.
- Other sparkling wines can be produced using the traditional method, the tank method, or artificially carbonated, which affects bubble persistence and flavor complexity.
Taste characteristics:
- Champagne has a complex aroma and flavor developed during aging.
- Prosecco is light, fruity, with refreshing acidity.
- Other sparkling wines vary in style depending on grape variety and region but are usually more accessible in taste and softer.
This information about the differences between these beverages helps to choose champagne* for New Year according to taste preferences and explains the difference in price and prestige.
*For ease of understanding, we will use the term “Champagne” for all sparkling beverages, as it is the one most associated with New Year celebrations.
Top 10 sparkling wines for New Year celebrations
Bottega Prosecco Doc 0.75L
Bottega Prosecco DOC, 11% has a straw-yellow color with golden hues and fine, persistent bubbles. The aroma features pleasant notes of orchard fruits, especially apples and peaches, along with citrus hints and floral nuances of acacia and wisteria. The taste is delicate and fresh, with a harmonious balance of acidity and versatility. Region: Veneto, Italy.
Martini Sparkling Rosé, 8%, is made from a unique blend of aromatic grape varieties, including Moscato and Ancellotta. The cuvée is carefully balanced by the winemaker, giving the wine bright berry acidity and a subtle touch of orange zest. The wine is fresh and expressive, with a gentle berry sweetness, delicate floral notes, and refreshing citrus acidity. Region: Piedmont, Italy.
Freixenet ICE Cuvee Especial Cava Sparkling Wine, white, semi-dry 0.75L
Freixenet ICE Cuvée Especial Cava, 11.5%, has a yellow-golden color with shiny, persistent bubbles. The aroma is intense and fresh, with bright citrus notes and hints of pineapple and peach. The taste is soft, velvety, and creamy, medium-bodied, with notes of apple, pear, tropical fruits, toast, nuts, dried fruits, and prominent citrus accents. The finish is long and refreshing. This wine pairs well with a wide range of dishes: shrimp salad, bruschetta, cheese appetizers, caviar, Thai cuisine, and chicken dishes. Region: Catalonia, Spain.
Villa Sandi Millesimato, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore, DOCG, brut white sparkling wine 0.75L
Villa Sandi Millesimato, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG, 11% has a light straw color and fine, persistent bubbles. The aroma is intensely fruity with notes of ripe golden apple and pleasant floral hints reminiscent of acacia. The taste is fresh, slightly sweet, and soft, with a harmonious, extended fruity finish. Region: Veneto, Italy.
Angelino Treviso Prosecco White Brut 11% 0.75L
Angelino Treviso Prosecco White Brut, 11%, has a light green-yellow color and delicate bubbles. The aroma is fruity with notes of pear, citrus, apple, and a subtle hint of green herbs and flowers. The taste is fruity, with pleasant freshness and light effervescence. Region: Veneto, Italy.
Martini Prosecco Spumante 11%, DOC, extra-dry, white 0.75L
Martini Prosecco Spumante DOC, 11%, has a light straw color and gentle effervescence. The wine is softly sparkling, made from Glera grapes blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The aroma features notes of apple and thyme; the taste is fresh, dry, and light. Perfect as an aperitif. Region: Veneto, Italy.
Devaux D Rosé, Champagne, AOC, brut, rosé 0.75L
Devaux D Rosé Champagne AOC, 12%, has a pink color with subtle red hues and persistent bubbles. Grapes used: 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay. The aroma is elegant, with notes of wild raspberry, strawberry, and vanilla. The taste is fresh, well-balanced, with expressive fruity notes and a refreshing aftertaste. This champagne is ideal as an aperitif, and pairs well with seafood, chicken dishes, appetizers, cheese, and desserts. Region: Champagne, France.
Blue Nun 24K Gold Edition, White Sweet Sparkling Wine 0.75L
Blue Nun 24K Gold Edition White Sweet Sparkling Wine, 11%, has a light color and gentle, persistent bubbles with visible 24-carat gold flakes. The wine is light, with pleasant fruity notes. Sparkling is achieved using the traditional fermentation method, enhancing the natural bubbles. Perfect as an aperitif or paired with light dishes and snacks. An ideal addition for festive events and special occasions. Region: Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Taittinger Champagne Brut Reserve 0.75L
Taittinger Champagne Brut Réserve, 12%, has a light golden color and fine, persistent bubbles. Grapes used: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier. The aroma features notes of white fruits, apple, and pear with subtle floral nuances. The taste is fresh, well-balanced, with a long fruity finish. This champagne is ideal as an aperitif and pairs well with seafood, chicken dishes, appetizers, and cheese. Region: Champagne, France.
Freixenet Elyssia Gran Cuvee 0.75L
Freixenet Elyssia Gran Cuvée, 11.5%, has a pleasant fruitiness balanced with fresh acidity. Sweetness ranges from very dry to medium sweet. The taste is perfect for toasts, buffets, and pairs well with seafood, fish, and vegetable dishes. Sparkling is achieved using the traditional production method. Region: Catalonia, Spain.
Our ranking of champagnes for the New Year holidays includes budget-friendly yet high-quality and original options. To purchase them, along with other products, more conveniently, advantageously, and without queues, use the Mydutyfree online pre-order service. On the website or mobile app, select products from the online catalog of your chosen location and place a pre-order with a 5% discount. Payment and collection can be done on the day you cross the border at the duty free counter.
Duty Free is currently offering a New Year promotion of -10% on the entire range of alcohol and more. Don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of festive offers and get the most out of your shopping — place your pre-order with Mydutyfree!
You can view the promotional offers in the catalogs of the respective locations.
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