Here’s the difference between Champagne, Prosecco and Cava

Adobe

Many people are in the habit of calling any sparkling wine “Champagne.” Although people will definitely know what you’re referring to, you might not realize that the name Champagne actually refers to something very specific, not just any bottle of bubbly. You may also have heard people call it “Prosecco,” “Cava” or just “sparkling wine,” and been confused about the differences, but there are actually some pretty straightforward distinctions between the most popular sparkling wines.

1. Region

The main difference between all sparkling wines is the region they come from. True Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France, which is east of Paris. Prosecco, on the other hand, is Italian, and it is made in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. Cava is made in Spain. There are other types sparkling wine, however, that can be made anywhere. California, for example, produces a broad array of sparkling wines.

2. Type Of Grape

Champagne is usually made with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Prosecco, on the other hand, is made with Glera grapes. Other sparkling wines, such as Cava from Spain, can contain a variety of other types of grapes instead of or in addition to the ones mentioned previously.

3. Production Method

Champagne and Prosecco are also made by different processes. Champagne is made using Méthode Champenoise, a process also known as secondary fermentation. A base wine is first fermented in a container. Then, sugar and yeast are added, and the wine is transferred to a bottle, where it is fermented again. It then stays for months or even years, while the yeast eats the sugar and creates carbon dioxide bubbles. The dead yeast cells are then removed, some sugar and wine is added, and then you’ve got yourself a finished bottle of Champagne.

Prosecco is processed a little differently, and in a way that is usually much cheaper and quicker. Instead of bottles, Prosecco typically undergoes its second fermentation in tanks.

Spanish Cava is actually made by the same process as Champagne, but the process is instead called traditionelle.

4. Taste

In general, Prosecco tends to be sweeter than Champagne because of the grapes that are used. Champagne tends to have a more yeasty flavor, while Prosecco is more fruity and aromatic. Both can vary in sweetness and dryness. Cava is less sweet than Prosecco, and has an earthier taste than Champagne.

Food
, , ,

Related posts

Beer Mug String Lights, BenShot Pint Glass with Real Golf Ball, Engraved Beer Glasses
30 clever gifts for the beer lovers in your life
From left, Jason, Donna and Travis Kelce
Drink wine and watch football with Donna Kelce at an Eagles-Chiefs game
festive packaging box containing three bottles of wine
Say Happy Holidays this year with a wine greeting card from Sam's Club
La Cité du Vin wine center
There's a wine theme park and museum, and it sounds amazing

About the Author
Carina Wolff
Carina is a health and wellness journalist based in Los Angeles. When she’s not writing, doing yoga, or exploring mountains and beaches, she spends her time cooking and creating recipes for her healthy food blog, Kale Me Maybe. Carina is also an ongoing writer for Bustle, Reader's Digest, FabFitFun, and more.

From our partners