Sparkling wine has a way of making a special occasion feel that bit more special. But standing in the bottle shop staring at a wall of bubbles, Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and Australian sparkling, it can be hard to know where to start.
The good news: choosing sparkling wine is easier than it looks once you understand the basics. This guide breaks down the types of sparkling wine in plain English, explains the difference between Prosecco and Champagne and helps you find the best sparkling wine for beginners.
What Is Sparkling Wine?
Sparkling wine is really any wine with bubbles. The fizz comes from carbon dioxide, either trapped naturally during fermentation or introduced during a second fermentation. What we call the wine depends on where it's made and how.
Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Australian sparkling and Pét-Nat are all types of bubbly wine, but each has its own character, production method and price point. Think of “sparkling wine” as the umbrella category and everything else as the style within it. Explore our full sparkling wine collection to see the range of styles available.
Champagne vs Sparkling Wine: What's the Difference?
This is one of the most common questions beginners ask, and it's a good one.
Champagne is a sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. To carry the name, a wine must come from the Champagne region of northeastern France, made from specific grape varieties (primarily Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and produced using the Traditional Method, which involves secondary fermentation inside each individual bottle.
This labour-intensive process gives Champagne its signature fine, persistent bubbles, its toasty complexity and its premium price. Sparkling wines made anywhere else, even those made using the same method, simply can't call themselves Champagne.
Browse our curated Champagne collection for classic Brut, Rosé and Vintage styles.
Prosecco vs Champagne: Which Should You Choose?
If Champagne is the formal dinner suit, Prosecco is the smart-casual option. Both have their place, and it often comes down to the occasion.
What Makes Prosecco Different?
Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine made primarily from the Glera grape in the Veneto and Friuli regions of northeastern Italy. Unlike Champagne, it's made using the Charmat Method, where the second fermentation happens in large pressurised tanks rather than individual bottles. This keeps costs down and preserves Prosecco's fresh, fruit-forward character.
Expect notes of green apple, pear, white peach and honeysuckle, with larger, frothier bubbles than Champagne. Most Prosecco is labelled Brut or Extra Dry, and here's where it gets a little confusing: “Extra Dry” actually has a touch more residual sugar than Brut, which adds to its soft, fruity appeal.
The Difference Between Prosecco and Champagne at a Glance
- Origin: Champagne = Champagne region, France. Prosecco = Veneto/Friuli, Italy.
- Method: Champagne = bottle fermentation (Traditional Method). Prosecco = tank fermentation (Charmat Method).
- Bubbles: Champagne has finer, more persistent bubbles. Prosecco has larger, frothier ones.
- Flavour: Champagne is toasty, complex, mineral. Prosecco is fresh, fruity, floral.
- Price: Prosecco is generally more affordable than Champagne, sometimes significantly so.
Australian Prosecco is also worth a look, particularly from the King Valley in Victoria, where Italian heritage runs deep, and producers craft bright, consistent expressions that rival Italian counterparts.
Explore our Prosecco range, including Italian and Australian expressions.
Champagne Brut vs Dry: Understanding Sweetness Levels
Sparkling wine labels use specific terms to describe sweetness, and they're not always intuitive. Here's a quick guide from driest to sweetest:
- Brut Nature / Zero Dosage: Bone dry, no added sugar.
- Extra Brut: Very dry, minimal sugar. Clean and crisp.
- Brut: The most popular and versatile style. Dry, with just enough softness to be crowd-pleasing. Start here.
- Extra Dry / Extra Sec: Slightly sweeter than Brut, common in Prosecco.
- Sec / Dry: Noticeably sweeter. Good with lighter desserts or spicy food.
- Demi-Sec: Quite sweet. A classic pairing with cake or dessert.
For beginners, Brut is the best starting point, it's dry and crowd-pleasing and pairs well with almost any food.
A Beginner's Guide to Types of Sparkling Wine
Beyond Champagne and Prosecco, there's a wide world of sparkling wine worth exploring.
Sparkling White Wine
The broadest category, ranging from delicate and mineral to rich and toasty, depending on the grape and method. Australian sparkling whites from Tasmania, the Yarra Valley and the Adelaide Hills are world-class and fantastic value. Styles include sparkling Chardonnay, sparkling Riesling, Blanc de Blancs (a sparkling wine made exclusively from white grapes) and sparkling Sauvignon Blanc.
Browse our sparkling white wines.
Sparkling Rosé
Pink bubbles aren't just pretty; sparkling rosé is genuinely versatile and food-friendly. It sits between the freshness of sparkling white and the berry richness of red, making it a great option for everything from brunch to big celebrations. Australian sparkling rosé from Tasmania and Southern Victoria is worth seeking out.
Explore our sparkling rosé range.
Sparkling Red Wine
A uniquely Australian obsession and a genuinely delicious one. Sparkling Shiraz is the standout: rich, spicy, full-bodied, with vibrant bubbles that make it festive. Bold enough for roast meats and cheese boards; impressive enough to bring to any celebration.
Discover our sparkling red wines, including sparkling Shiraz from Great Western, Victoria.
Cava
Spain's answer to Champagne, but using local grape varieties. Cava offers similar fine bubbles and complexity at a much friendlier price. A great option when you want a step up from Prosecco without the Champagne price tag.
Pét-Nat
The wild child of the sparkling wine world. Pét-Nat (Pétillant Naturel) is made using the ancestral method, bottled before fermentation finishes, with no additives and often unfiltered. The result is softer bubbles, vibrant fruit and a rustic, unpredictable character that's become a favourite among natural wine lovers.
Curious? Learn more about the difference between Pét-Nat and traditional sparkling wine.
Choosing the Best Sparkling Wine for Beginners by Occasion
- Casual drinks or brunch: Prosecco or Australian sparkling white. Approachable, affordable, crowd-pleasing.
- A celebration or toast: Champagne Brut or a premium Australian sparkling.
- A gift: Champagne Rosé or a quality Australian sparkling rosé. Elegant and hard to go wrong.
- With food: Match the weight of the wine to the dish, think sparkling rosé with seafood and sparkling Shiraz with roast meats and cheese.
- Something different: Try a Pét-Nat or sparkling red if you're feeling adventurous.
Sparkling Wine and Food: A Simple Pairing Guide
One of the best things about sparkling wine is how food-friendly it is. The acidity and bubbles lift flavours and cleanse the palate between bites, which is why it works across such a wide range of dishes.
- Champagne Brut / Australian Sparkling: Oysters, sushi, soft cheeses, fried chicken, anything rich or salty
- Prosecco: Antipasti, light pasta, grilled vegetables, fresh seafood, brunch dishes
- Sparkling Rosé: Prawns, salmon, berry salads, mild soft cheeses, summery grazing boards
- Sparkling Shiraz: Roast meats, charcuterie, aged cheddar, dark chocolate desserts
- Pét-Nat: Charcuterie, washed rind cheese, natural and textural foods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between sparkling wine, Prosecco and Champagne?
All three are sparkling wines, but they differ in origin, production method and flavour. Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France and uses bottle fermentation — giving it fine bubbles and complex, toasty flavours. Prosecco comes from northeastern Italy and uses tank fermentation, resulting in lighter, fruitier, more affordable bubbles. Sparkling wine is the broad category that covers both plus Cava, Australian sparkling, Pét-Nat and more.
Champagne Brut vs Dry: what's the difference?
It sounds like it should be simple, but the labelling here is genuinely counterintuitive: “Dry” and “Extra Dry” Champagne actually contains more residual sugar than “Brut.” The terms come from old French classifications, and they've stuck around ever since.
In practice: Brut is the drier style, with minimal sweetness and a crisp, clean finish. Extra Dry sits just above it with a touch more sugar, which is why it often tastes slightly softer and more fruit-forward. For most occasions and food pairings, Brut is the go-to.
What is the best sparkling wine for beginners?
Prosecco and Australian sparkling white are the most beginner-friendly options, approachable, affordable and widely available. If you want to step up, a Champagne Brut or quality Australian sparkling is worth trying. For something a bit different, a sparkling rosé is a crowd-pleaser that rarely disappoints.
Is Prosecco sweeter than Champagne?
Often, yes, but it depends on the style. Most Prosecco sold in Australia is labelled Brut or Extra Dry. As covered above, Extra Dry has a touch more residual sugar, which makes it taste slightly fruitier and softer than a Champagne Brut. That said, both are dry wines — neither will taste sweet in the way a dessert wine would.
How should I serve sparkling wine?
Serve sparkling wine well chilled, around 6–8°C for Prosecco and Champagne; slightly warmer (around 10°C) for richer styles. Use a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the aromas.
Once opened, seal with a sparkling wine stopper and refrigerate; most sparkling wines will keep their fizz for 1–2 days.
What's the difference between Cava and Champagne?
Cava is made in Spain using the same Traditional Method as Champagne — fine bubbles, potential for complexity, age-worthy styles. The differences come down to where it's grown, the grape varieties used and the price. Spanish wine regions produce a distinctly different character to Champagne's cool northeastern French climate, which is part of what makes Cava its own thing. The other part: it's significantly more affordable, making it a great middle ground between Prosecco and Champagne.
Ready to Find Your Bubbles?
The best sparkling wine is the one you enjoy drinking. Start with a style that sounds appealing, try it with food you already love and go from there. Whether you're popping a bottle for a big occasion or simply treating yourself to a Friday night glass, there's a sparkling wine that's perfect for the moment.
Explore our full sparkling wine collection from Australia and beyond, curated by our expert tasting panel so you know you're getting quality and value every time.
