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Photo by Sally Pinera
There's so much to celebrate in the lead-up to the big day, and sparkling wine is the perfect companion beverage for wedding celebrations of all kinds—from popped questions to bridal showers to wedding receptions. “Simply the noise of the cork popping instantly gets people in a festive mood,” says Pauline Lhote, Head of Winemaking at Chandon California. “[They] are also the most versatile wines to pair with any food or menu item.” But which of those bountiful bottles of bubby out there should you choose for your bridal bash? Leave it to us!
Sparkling wine doesn’t begin and end with Champagne (a French-specific sparkling wine): There are countless types of sparkling wines made all over the world, and we’ve compiled some of our absolute favorites for you to toast with. From cava from Spain to budget-friendly bottles to, yes, Champagne, we found the best sparkling wines for all of your wedding celebrations—and those that come after your ceremony “I dos," too!
Read on for the best sparkling wines.
Schramsberg 2017 Blanc de Noirs Brut
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Courtesy of Vivino
Schramsberg has a long (over 50 years!) history of sparkling wine production here in the U.S., and you can taste that expertise in their 2017 Blanc de Noirs Brut. The translated name, white from black, refers to how this white wine is actually primarily crafted with the red Pinot Noir grape, resulting in a unique and complex brut bubbly.
Featuring medium-bodied, fruitful flavors and a delightful crispness and acidity, it’s distinctive without being overpowering, pairing well with appetizers for that engagement party. Cheers!
Price at time of publish: $35
La Marca Prosecco 357 mL
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Courtesy of Total Wine & More
Go big or go home—or, in this case, back to the liquor store. Scoring a magnum bottle of sparkling wine will provide you with a whopping one and a half liters of bubbly to serve more guests with fewer liquor store runs. La Marca Prosecco is inexpensive on its own and even more cost-efficient when you consider this bottle’s size. Plus, we love its breezy taste that boasts notes of apple, peach, citrus, and honeysuckle.
Price at time of publish: $10
Pol Roger Brut Réserve
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Totalwine
It’s not just the fact that this iconic Champagne label was served at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding reception that we love: it’s the fine taste profile that’s dry and complex, with notes of tropical fruits, honeysuckle, and jasmine harmonizing for a well-balanced and flavorful finish. And with an abundance of bubbles, you can’t help but get a celebratory feel with each sip.
Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad Cava
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Courtesy of Total Wine & More
Spanish sparkling wine, Cava, is a delicious choice for its delicate and light flavor profile that is slightly fruity but usually not very sweet—perfect for those bridal brunch mimosas! Our fave? Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad Cava for its faintly smoky opening, fruity palette, and delicate notes of floral and honey.
Price at time of publish: $30
Alberto Nani Organic Prosecco
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Total Wine
Another perfect pairing to orange juice, Prosecco is many a frequent bruncher’s go-to. For this Italian category, we adore Alberto Nani Prosecco, a certified organic bubbly with an extra dry, mineral finish. Featuring lovely and light floral aromas and notes of tart and jam, it’s a responsibly made, crisp treat.
Price at time of publish: $25
Graham Beck Brut NV Méthode Cap Classique
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Courtesy of Drizly
If the gorgeous Winelands of South Africa isn’t one of the first places you look for stellar sparkling wine, well then, you’re missing out! This bottle boasts a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with yeasty aromas and notes of citrus fruits. An overall fresh profile, it pairs well with seafood.
Chandon Brut Rosé
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Courtesy of Chandon
Incredibly drinkable, Chandon Rosé’s is perfect for sipping all summer long. (Don’t mind if we do!) This dry rosé is bursting with the vibrant flavors and aromas of strawberries, cherries, and watermelon. Crisp and refreshing and complete with that pretty pink hue, it’s exactly what you want to have on hand for warm-weathered bridal showers and bachelorette weekends.
Price at time of publish: $26
Lini 910 Labrusca Lambrusco Rosso
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Courtesy of Vivino
Ok, so red may not be the first type of wine that comes to mind when it comes to all things bubbly, but this baby has plenty to offer. Crafted from sustainably grown fruit, this Italian sparkling wine shines the spotlight on those sweet (but not cloying) flavors with notes of berries and stone fruit at the forefront. Yum!
Price at time of publish: $18
Laurent-Perrier Harmony Demi-Sec
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Drizly
Who doesn’t love a little something sweet? For those who prefer that sweetness in their bubbly, look to Laurent-Perrier Harmony Demi-Sec Champagne. With a Demi-Sec flavor profile, this French Champagne offers just the right amount of light sweetness and notes of tree and citrus fruits and pairs perfectly with dessert.
Price at time of publish: $73
Mumm Napa DVX Rosé 2011
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Courtesy of Mumm Napa
While we love toasting with sparkling wine beneath the summer sun at outdoor weddings and alfresco bridal showers, holiday celebrations (ahem, like all those engagements) are also the perfect time to pop a bottle of bubbly. For those cold-weather soirees, we suggest this Mumma Napa sparkling wine that’s full of wintery notes of toasty hazelnut and pie crust, plus aromas of crème anglaise and red apple and a spicy finish.
Price at time of publish: $22
D.M. Brut
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Courtesy of D.M
For sparkling wine that looks just as good as it tastes, we love Dom Maria Brazilian Brut. While there are plenty of beautiful labels out there that might catch your eye on the store shelf, we’re unashamedly obsessed with the modern and minimalist feel of the packaging that houses this Brazilian brut. Inside, you’ll find a refreshingly dry sparkling wine with citrus and floral notes and fine, petite bubbles.
Price at time of publish: $30
Meet the Expert
Pauline Lhote is the Head of Winemaking at Chandon California. She is an expert in sparkling wine and leads the team that creates all of Chandon's sparkling products.
What to look for in a sparkling wine
Region
We encourage you to explore sparkling wines from a variety of regions, such as those produced in Napa Valley, California, or the Winelands of South Africa. While Europe has stricter guidelines in place about what grapes and production methods can be used to make sparkling wines, other regions are freer to experiment with grape varietals and techniques, leading to unexpected and exciting flavorings.
Level of sweetness
Some prefer sweeter sparkling wines, while others only drink those on the drier side. Pay attention to the level of sweetness (often indicated on the bottle) to ensure a satisfying sipping experience. Extra-brut is the driest (or least sweet) sparkling wine; brut is the next driest and the most common; extra dry sparkling wine has a little more sweetness to it; while demi-sec sparkling wine is sweet and an appropriate pairing for desserts.
Why Trust Brides
Brides contributor Jamie Cuccinelli has several years of experience in the wedding and lifestyle industries, first as an editor of Brides.com and then as a writer for home and lifestyle websites like MyDomaine. And as a bachelorette party and bridal shower planning extraordinaire, she’s well-versed in celebratory wines and spirits and is always prepared to pop that bubbly.
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