How is Champagne Made? A Quick Guide to Sparkling Wine

When we think of celebration, one drink tops the list: champagne. But how is champagne made? In this quick guide, we explore the origins and production methods of champagne. We’ll see that a lot of time and effort goes into making one of the most popular alcoholic beverages.

The Origins of Champagne, or Sparkling Wine

The origins of champagne, or sparkling wine, dates back to the 5th century, but it wasn’t until the 17th century that it became internationally recognized for its effervescence. During this period, winemakers discovered methods to trap the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation, leading to the bubbly drink we know today.

How is Champagne Made?

First, the Grape Harvest

The timing of the grape harvest is crucial, as it impacts the acidity and sugar levels. Harvested from August to October, three primary grape varieties produce champagne:

Chardonnay: A white grape that contributes elegance and freshness.
Pinot Noir: A black grape adding body and structure.
Pinot Meunier: Another black grape bringing fruitiness and roundness.

Carefully hand-picked grapes ensure only the best quality fruit goes into the wine. After harvesting, the grapes are gently pressed to extract the juice. The juice from black grapes is kept separate from the skins to maintain its light color. This produces the base wine.

Next, the First Fermentation

The extracted juice undergoes the first fermentation. Yeast converts sugars into alcohol, resulting in a still wine. (A still wine, or flat wine, is wine without carbonation.) This still wine is combined with reserve wines to create a base wine.

Then, the Second Fermentation

Yeast and sugar are mixed into the base wine and poured into a champagne bottle. While resting in a cool cellar, the second fermentation takes place. This second fermentation produces alcohol and carbon dioxide, aka, the bubbles.

Aging the Wine

Aging takes place over several years in the wine cellar. Depending on the type of champagne, the aging process takes a minimum of fifteen months to several years.

A complex process of getting rid of the lees takes place. Lees in wine are sediment resulting from the fermentation. As this process causes some wine loss, winemakers add white wine, brandy, and sugar.

The Final Step, Corking the Champagne Bottle

The champagne bottle is corked with a wire wrapping in place to hold in the pressure created by the carbon dioxide.

And that’s how champagne is made.

Did You Know Not All Sparkling Wine is Champagne?

Here’s a fast fact – all champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is champagne. The only type of sparkling wine called champagne is wine produced in the Champagne region of France.

The bottom line is Enjoy!

More on wine: The Difference Between Red, White, and Blush Wine