Sparkling wine is often served on special occasions. One immediately thinks of New Year's Eve or a birthday party. There are various drinks to be found on the shelf, such as champagne, prosecco, or Asti. But what is the difference? And how do I uncork a bottle without baptizing my apartment?
Sparkling wine, champagne, prosecco, and Asti
What varieties are there and what is the difference?
What is sparkling wine (Sekt)?
In German-speaking countries, 'Sekt' is commonly used as a term for quality sparkling wine. This drink is carbonated and has an alcohol content of at least 9% by volume.
What is champagne?
Only certain sparkling wines that meet specific criteria may be called champagne. Only 3 grape varieties (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay) are eligible for processing. Furthermore, champagne may only be produced in the Champagne wine-growing region in France. To obtain a good champagne, it must mature in the bottle for at least 15 months.
What is prosecco?
Prosecco is a protected designation of variety and origin. The Prosecco grape, which only grows in northeastern Italy, is mainly used to produce the semi-sparkling wine Prosecco Frizzante (less carbonation) or the sparkling wine Prosecco Spumante (more carbonation).
What is Asti?
Asti is a natural sparkling wine that, unlike all its predecessors, is created in only one fermentation process. Only sparkling wines made from Muscat grapes from the areas around Asti and Langhe may be called this. Asti has a higher residual sugar content than Sekt and the like, and therefore tastes much sweeter.
Recognizing good quality sparkling wine
The quality of a sparkling wine is characterized by fine-pored, persistent bubbles.
Uncorking a bottle of sparkling wine
You want to uncork a bottle of Sekt and can't find the opener? That's no problem if you follow this advice: Simply hold the bottle neck under running hot water. The heat will push the cork out. By the way: it also works with a bottle of Sekt! hold. The heat pushes the cork out. By the way: this also works with a bottle of wine!
Sparkling wine no longer foams over
To prevent a bottle of sparkling wine from foaming over, there is a simple trick: hold the cork firmly and turn only the bottle a little – not the other way around! This way, the sparkling wine will not foam over.
Storing sparkling wine
The party is over and there is still sparkling wine left, but no stopper available? You don't have to pour it away immediately. Either put a piece of aluminum foil over the bottle neck or insert a silver-plated spoon into the bottle with the handle facing down. This prevents the carbon dioxide from escaping, and you can prepare a sparkling wine breakfast the next day.
Read also: 5 tips for the perfect party in your own home
Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
