Every moment of celebration is accompanied by an exquisite sparkling wine on the table, but, before we open the cork, let’s understand the differences between two of the most famous sparkling wines?

We can find the famous and the pompous champagne in France and the exquisite Cava in Spain. Separated by the region, but identical in terms of conception methods.

We start by introducing you to the refined champagne. We can only call “champagnes” to the sparkling wines produced in the region of Champagne, France. The name “Champagne” was awarded an AOC, the most rigorous Denomination of Origin used in France.

Its production encompasses three different kinds of grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. As for its production, Dom Perignon, a known monk, invented a method called “champenoise”. This method combines 2 different stages of fermentation: the first one, is execute inside of the tanks and has a duration of 20 to 40 days, while the second stage, occurs in the bottle, at least 15 months, and can achieve 60 (five years). During the second fermentation, the bottles are placed upside down to drive the impurities to the bottleneck to be removed later. After this fermentation phase, the bottleneck of bottles is frozen and lees wine is expelled.

Now about the Cava, Spanish sparkling wine, recognized as a Quality Sparkling Wine Produced in a Specific Region, is produced by the traditional method of Catalonia. The grape varieties used in the elaboration of the cava are macabeu, parellada and xarel-lo. The production method is identical to the “champenoise” but adapted to the Penedès Region. In addition, the second stage of fermentation, in which is necessary to move the bottles daily in order to drive all impurities directed to the bottleneck and later withdrawn, in France is carried out manually, while in Spain a mechanized system was created to carry out this task on a large scale through a machine known as “giropaleta” (spinning bottles).

In short, the main differences between these two refined sparkling wines are the grapes selected for processing, the region where they are produced and the fermentation process mechanism.

If you are curious and would like to have the opportunity to learn more about the well-known sparkling wine of Catalonia, visit the region of Penedès where the influence of the sun and the Mediterranean Sea turn up this territory a privileged space for the cultivation of vines. Located 30 minutes from Barcelona, which wine tourism is prestigious around the world! Is not all about the knowledge, is also about the flavor. Explore more Barcelona wine tours !