French Sparkling Wines

• Champagne is the creme de la creme of sparkling wines. Only those made with grapes grown in the Champagne region of France can be called Champagne. Although some U.S. sparkling wine producers can legally call their version champagne, they must use a lowercase "c" and state the geographical location on the label. True Champagne is made with only three types of grapes: chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. From the driest to the most full-bodied, the main champagne types are brut, extra dry, demi-sec, blanc de blancs, blanc de noirs and rose. Champagne is produced using the traditional "methode champenoise," in which fermented wine is bottled with a little yeast and sugar and undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle. Other regions of France also produce sparkling wines, such as Vouvray, Bourgogne and Alsace.

Italian Sparkling Wines

• In Italy, sparkling wine is known as spumante and there a few prominent varieties. Prosecco is one the most well known, produced in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of Italy. Named after the grapes that produce it, prosecco wines range from dry to sweet, but sweeter versions are more widely available. Most have distinct flowery and fruity aromas. Prosecco is usually produced using the Charmat method, in which wine undergoes a second fermentation in a large steel vat before being bottled. The other common Italian sparkler is Asti, named for the province where it is produced. Asti sparklers are made from moscato bianco grapes and are usually very sweet in flavor, with hints of fruit and honey. Other high-end Italian sparkling wines include the dry and typically red Lambrusco, and the Franciacorta, which is similar to Champagne in production and quality.

Spanish Sparkling Wines

• Spanish sparkling wine is known as Cava and is considered very similar to Champagne. In fact, it's often regarded as the more affordable version of Champagne, as it is produced using the same fermentation method. Nearly all Cava wine production is located in the Catalonia region of Spain, using macabeo, parellada and xarel-lo white grapes varieties. A small percentage of cava comes from other Spanish regions, including Aragon, La Rioja and Navarra. Cava wines generally have slightly nutty and citrus fruit notes. They are available in both dry and sweeter varieties, from the extra dry brut nature wines to the sweet dulce wines.

Other Standout Sparklers

• American-made sparkling wines are generally produced in the same manner as Champagne, primarily using chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot blanc grape varieties. Most sparkling wine producers are based in Northern California, though you can find some that are produced all over the country. Just like Champagne, American sparkling wines come in dry and sweet varieties, but are typically much cheaper than their French counterpart. In Germany, sparkling wine is known as sekt, and is made primarily from grapes imported from other European countries. Only sparkling wines labeled Deutscher Sekt are made with grapes from the various wine regions in Germany. Sekt can be hard to find outside of Germany as it is mostly produced for domestic demand. In Australia, sparkling shiraz is the signature wine, made from grapes of the same name. Most production is on the island of Tasmania, due to its colder climate and altitude.