‘Tis The Season for Sparkling Wine

BY ERIC GUIDO | DECEMBER 12, 2024

It’s that time of year when we come together, reflect on the last 12 months, spend time with loved ones and enjoy some delicious sparkling wines. I’m not just talking about a celebratory quaff or New Year's Eve traditions. Sparkling wine is hands down the number one category for gift-giving in the wine market. Whether it’s easygoing Prosecco or high-profile Champagne, retailers reload over and over again through the month of December to keep up with demand.

For my sparkling wine needs, I often look to Italy for its combination of quality, diversity and (in many cases) relative value. Italian winemakers from across the boot have a deep-rooted love of Champagne, which led to the creation of categories that aim to replicate the qualities of their favorite celebratory beverage. Franciacorta, Trentodoc and Alta Langa use the same varieties as Champagne and similar production methods. Each is also representative of a unique terroir. Readers can find a breakdown of the individual terroirs by region in my December 2022 article, "Italy's Love Affair with Sparkling Wine." Beyond that, the Prosecco category has never been stronger and still represents impressive value in the marketplace. The number of wines submitted for this sparkling report grows every year, with new and interesting projects popping up throughout Italy. But Italian sparkling wine is not without its challenges.