Sparkle-ist Champagne & Sparkling Wine Club Blog

Discover stories, tips, and insights from the world of sparkling wine.

champagne

What Is Grower Champagne? (Think Farmers Market)

Grower Champagne is made by the family that grows the grapes, like farmers market jam made by the farmer who grew the fruit. Here’s what that means and why it’s so hard to find.

champagne

2026, The Earliest Harvest Champagne Has Ever Seen

History was made in Champagne this year. I was there for the earliest harvest on record, and the season that led up to it was as rough as the harvest was early.

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Is Organic or Biodynamic Wine Actually Better?

Most of the producers we select farm organically or biodynamically. Here's what major studies actually found about quality.

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Is Veuve a Good Champagne?

Veuve isn't a bad champagne. It's well made, consistent, and plenty of people enjoy it. The real question isn't whether it's good, it's whether it's good for the price.

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Why You Should Ditch the Champagne Flute

The flute is the most recognizable symbol in the sparkling wine world, and it's also the worst glass to drink from. Here's why producers don't use them and what to reach for instead.

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What Actually Makes a Wine Good?

A $20 bottle can outclass a $100 one. Quality in wine isn't about price or even great grapes. It comes down to balance, how well everything in the glass fits together.

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How Long Should You Hold Your Bottles?

More than 90% of all wine is meant to be drunk within a year of release. Here's how to tell which bottles to open now and which are worth holding.

champagne

Brut and Dosage: What Do They Actually Do?

Dosage is the sugar added to sparkling wine just before bottling. It sets the sweetness on the label, but its real job is balance, not making the wine sweet.

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Sparkling Wine Types Explained: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava and More

Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, Crémant, Sekt. Almost every sparkling wine comes down to one thing, how the bubbles got into the bottle. Learn four methods and the labels start to make sense.