What is the difference between champagne and sparkling wine?

Answer by  gabshawgeo (31)

Champagne is sparkling wine that is made in the Champagne region of France. It is made of 3 grapes, pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay. There is only one method allowed for Champagne, second fermentation in the bottle. Sparkling wine is made all over the world and many different grapes and methods are used.

Answer by  traumatised (3285)

Although all champagnes are sparkling wines, not all sparkling wines are champagne. To be called champagne, it must be produced by a specific process in the Champagne region of France. The name is legally protected in many countries, and you can be sued for labelling fizzy wine produced elsewhere as champagne.

Answer by  John (9008)

Champagne is a region of France where the first sparkling wines were produced. The wineries of this region have copywrited the term "Champagne," and it can only be used for wines coming from that region. Carbonated wines from anywhere else must refer to themselves as "sparkling wine." Thus, the only real difference is geography.

Answer by  bakerdenn (65)

They are essentially the same thing with one major exception. Both are wines, usually white, which are carbonated. However, in order for a wine to be called champagne, the wine must come from the champagne region in France. Whereas any carbonated wine not originating in that region is known as sparkling wine.

Answer by  Joe2009 (113)

The difference between champagne and sparkling wine is simply taste and how it is made. Sparkling wine comes in all different types of flavors, such as red, white, blush, etc. Whereas champagne is its own unique flavor and is many times produced with an aging processes. Sparkling wine is available as a desert wine. champagne is served at formal dinner.