Buy Sparkling Wine Online in NZ

Champagne houses include Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Piper-Heidsieck, while Cloudy Bay and Lindauer fly the New Zealand flag. Freixenet brings Spanish Cava and Prosecco.

Types of Sparkling Wine

  • Champagne: only from the Champagne region of France, made by the traditional method with a second fermentation in the bottle, usually from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
  • Methode: New Zealand and other sparkling wines made by the same traditional method, giving fine bubbles and toasty, bready notes.
  • Prosecco: from north-east Italy, made mainly from the Glera grape in large tanks for a light, fruity style with apple and pear.
  • Sparkling Rose: pink bubbles with red-berry flavours, often including Pinot Noir.

How to Choose Sparkling Wine

For a celebration or gift, Champagne such as Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut is a classic. A New Zealand methode like Cloudy Bay Pelorus offers the same traditional style with local character. For brunch, spritzes and cocktails, a fresh Prosecco such as Freixenet Extra Dry Prosecco is light and fruity.

Sparkling Wine FAQs

What is the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine?

Champagne is sparkling wine made only in the Champagne region of France, under strict rules including second fermentation in the bottle. Sparkling wine is the wider term for any wine with bubbles. Wines made the same way elsewhere are labelled methode traditionnelle or simply sparkling wine.

What is the difference between Prosecco and Champagne?

Prosecco is Italian sparkling wine made mostly from Glera, with its second fermentation in large tanks, giving fresh apple and pear flavours. Champagne is French, ferments a second time in the bottle and gains toasty, bready complexity from time on its yeast lees.

What does Brut mean on sparkling wine?

Brut means the sparkling wine is dry, with very little sugar. It is the most common style of Champagne and methode. Extra Dry is slightly sweeter than Brut, while Demi-Sec and Doux are sweet styles that suit desserts.

How should I chill and serve sparkling wine?

Chill sparkling wine to 6 to 8 degrees, either for a few hours in the fridge or about 20 minutes in an ice bucket with water. Open it slowly, holding the cork and turning the bottle. Serve in a flute or a tulip-shaped wine glass.