Sparkling Wines
Discover the World of Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wine has a remarkable way of turning ordinary moments into memorable ones. At Under The Grapevine, we believe there is far more to discover than Champagne alone. From family-run Cava producers in Spain to award-winning English vineyards and hidden gems from France, every bottle in our collection has been chosen because we genuinely enjoy drinking it ourselves. We hope you'll enjoy discovering them too.
Discover the Styles of Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wine is far more diverse than many people realise. From the chalk soils of Champagne to the vineyards of England, Spain and beyond, every region brings its own character to the glass. Explore the world's most celebrated styles and discover which one is right for your next celebration; or simply your next evening at the table.
1531 where it all began
Blanquette de Limoux
Every great story has a beginning, and the story of sparkling wine starts in the hills around Limoux in southern France. Long before Champagne became famous, monks at the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire accidentally discovered that wine could sparkle inside the bottle. It was the birth of a completely new style of wine; and the beginning of a centuries-long journey.
The Queen of Sparkling Wine
Champagne
Champagne didn't invent sparkling wine, but it perfected it. Through centuries of refinement, meticulous craftsmanship and an uncompromising focus on quality, Champagne became the benchmark by which every sparkling wine is judged. Even today, it remains the world's ultimate symbol of celebration and luxury.
Spain finds its own voice
Cava
While Champagne captured the world's imagination, Spain quietly created its own masterpiece. Using the same traditional method but indigenous grape varieties such as Xarel·lo, Macabeo and Parellada, Cava offers freshness, elegance and remarkable value. It remains one of the most versatile sparkling wines you'll find at the table.
France beyond Champagne
Cremant
Champagne may have taken centre stage, but many of France's other wine regions quietly produce exceptional traditional-method sparkling wines. From Alsace to Burgundy and the Loire Valley, Crémant offers elegance, regional character and some of the best value in French sparkling wine.
Italy chooses a different path
Prosecco
Rather than following Champagne, Italy chose a different path. Using the Charmat method, Prosecco celebrates freshness, fruit and immediacy. It's approachable, vibrant and perfectly suited to relaxed occasions where enjoyment matters more than ceremony. The Charmat method is a sparkling wine production technique in which the second fermentation takes place in a large pressurised stainless-steel tank rather than in individual bottles, preserving fresh, fruity aromas.
History comes full circle
English Sparkling Wines
It may come as a bit of a surprise, but England has played an important role in the story of Champagne for centuries. During the seventeenth century, English glassmakers developed stronger bottles capable of withstanding the pressure created by sparkling wine, while English merchants were among the first to appreciate wines with bubbles. Some historians even believe the English were experimenting with secondary fermentation in the bottle before it became firmly established in Champagne itself. Today, history has come full circle. Thanks to a warming climate and the same chalk soils that continue beneath the English Channel, vineyards in southern England are producing traditional-method sparkling wines of extraordinary quality. Many now rival some of the finest Champagnes in blind tastings. It is one of the most exciting chapters in the world of wine; and one I am particularly passionate about.
What shall I serve with Sparkling Wine
One of the greatest qualities of sparkling wine is its incredible versatility at the table. The lively bubbles, refreshing acidity and delicate freshness make it one of the easiest wines to pair with food. From freshly shucked oysters and creamy cheeses to crispy fried chicken, summer salads and elegant desserts, there is a sparkling wine for almost every occasion. Explore some of our favourite food pairings below and discover how the right bottle can transform a simple meal into something truly memorable.
Why we choose these wines
Every sparkling wine you'll find in our collection has earned its place for a reason. We don't believe that great sparkling wine has to come with a famous label or an extravagant price tag. Instead, we look for bottles that offer authenticity, balance and genuine pleasure to drink. Some are made by renowned Champagne houses. Others come from small family estates in Spain, England or southern France that quietly produce wines of remarkable quality. If we wouldn't happily pour it for our own friends around the table, it simply doesn't make it onto our shelves.
A Personal Note
There is no other drink that, for me, captures the feeling of celebration quite like sparkling wine. Whether it's a wedding, a birthday, a promotion or simply the end of a wonderful meal shared with friends, few bottles bring people together with the same effortless elegance. What excites me most is that the world of sparkling wine has never stood still. While Champagne will always be the benchmark, exceptional sparkling wines are now being crafted in places that would have seemed unimaginable only a few decades ago. Not long ago, I had the pleasure of tasting several sparkling wines from Brazil and was genuinely astonished by their freshness, precision and quality. Perhaps the region that excites me most, however, is England. There is something wonderfully fitting about the country that played such an important role in the history of Champagne now producing some of the world's finest traditional-method sparkling wines in its own right. The quality being achieved today is nothing short of remarkable. I believe so strongly in English sparkling wine that I have become an ambassador for several of England's leading estates. Which ones? I'll share that story with you very soon.
Mike van den Berg
