What is Sparkling Wine:
California Sparkling Wine can’t be called Champagne—it’s not from the Champagne region of France—but much of our SLO CAL sparkling is made in the same Méthode Champenoise as its famous namesake, or Pét-Nats (short for pétillant naturel), the oldest method of making sparkling wine.
Sparkling wine happens when grapes are fermented and bottled under pressure. The carbon dioxide produced during fermentation is captured in the bottle and creates bubbles. So, when you open the bottle, you get that Champagne pop and plenty of fizziness…as well as lots of smiles!
There are several main methods in making sparkling wine, each contributing to its character and flavor:
- Traditional Method or Champagne Method: This method, utilized in Champagne production, involves a secondary fermentation in the bottle, where a mixture of yeast and sugar is added to the base wine. Producers making Cava in Spain and Franciacorta, Italy or other parts of France use the Traditional Method as well.
- Charmat Method: This involves conducting the secondary fermentation in large pressurized tanks, resulting in a crisper, fruitier profile. This is a common production process for Prosecco from Italy.
- Ancestral Method or Pétillant Naturel (Pét-Nat): This is the oldest technique, and involves bottling the wine before the primary fermentation completes, allowing carbon dioxide produced during fermentation to naturally carbonate the wine. This wine can be a little cloudy, with unusual flavors. It’s the easiest way to make bubbly wine in a bottle.
Sparkling Wine Regions & Grapes
Today, sparkling wine production is a global phenomenon! From the days of French widows—les Veuves—taking over Champagne houses in the 1800s to the modern days of sparkling wine being made in almost 79 countries around the world, sparkling wine has evolved dramatically.
The three most commonly used grape varieties for sparkling wine production are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, but many other grape varieties are used around the world to make sparkling wine (even cider is a type of sparkling apple wine). Here in California, we have a lot of experimental winemakers trying all kinds of grapes to get different types of sparkly styles.
Terroir in SLO CAL Sparkling Wine
Terroir plays a crucial role in sparkling wine production, where elements like soil, climate, topography and grape varieties work together to shape the characteristics of the wine.
SLO CAL is renowned for its ideal conditions for growing grapes destined for sparkling wine production. Our region benefits from a maritime climate characterized by cool temperatures and foggy mornings, moderated by the proximity to the Pacific Ocean. These conditions are reminiscent of the terroir found in Champagne, France, lending themselves well to grape varieties like the classics: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Also, the diverse microclimates on the Central Coast allow for the cultivation of many different grapes that can be picked early for bubbly wines. The combination of cool climate, diverse terroir and skilled winemaking expertise has established SLO CAL as a premier region for producing high-quality sparkling wines in California.
Where to Find SLO CAL Sparkling Wine:
Sparkling wine production is a very labor-intensive process, as well as expensive for the winery. Some wineries perform every step of the process in-house, some harvest and ferment local grapes, and then finish the bubbles off-site, and others elect to manage the whole process off-site (with a partner who owns all the equipment). Therefore, local sparkling wine is not always available by the taste or glass.
If you enjoy the winery’s white wines, you’ll probably enjoy their bubblies as well. And you can always ask for a glass or taste; and you just might get it here in SLO CAL—our winemakers are casual and pretty rad. Get the details at the SLO CAL map from Central Coast Bubbles creator, Liz Dodder. Note: Some wineries only sell their sparkling wine to members or online, which you'll find noted on the wine map.
