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Champagne. I LOVE IT!

What Makes Champagne Bubbly?
Unless there is specific terminology on the bottle, all champagne and most domestic sparklers are comprised of three grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and the less often used varietal Pinot Meunier. The bubbles are created through a process called "secondary fermentation," which means they make regular wine first and then re-ferment it with yeast left in the bottle (which is filtered out later). This is why you'll often get a fresh baked bread aroma from bubbly. Most bubblies are non-vintage or "NV," meaning they are created from a blend of wine vintages.

How Do I Choose?
Here are a few basic terms that are used on both champagnes and sparkling wines. These should help narrow your search to match your taste preferences.
Brut The driest one, but not to be confused with "Extra Dry," which, ironically, is not as dry as Brut. Brut is the most food-friendly of champagnes. The smoky, salty nature of caviar makes for a classic match. For everyday occasions, try potato latkes and sour cream or any number of salty tidbits.
Extra Dry A touch of fruity sweetness but finishes on a dry note. These are quite versatile and can be served as an apertif or after dinner. They're more or less in the middle of the spectrum.
Sec Next in line for dryness, but you don't see it very often.
Demi-sec The most residual sugar of the bunch (outside of Doux, which is rare). This is the ultimate dessert wine and, perhaps, the most romantic of the bunch. Never sweet in a cloying way, these have a caramelized quality that is absolutely delicious. Avoid pairing these with fare that is sweeter than the wine, as the bubbly will come off harsh and dry. Fresh fruit works best.
Blanc de Blanc This bubbly is made from 100% Chardonnay. The Chardonnay grape lends sparkling wine it's toasty, nutty and rich quality.
Blanc de Noir This bubbly is made from mostly Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir grape gives it the refreshing, fruit driven, citrus quality.


Champagne Cocktails
Try these for a celebratory flair!

Champagne Framboise
Fill a champagne glass with champagne or sparkling wine, pour in a couple of teaspoons of raspberry liqueur or framboise, and float some raspberries in the glass.

Kir Royale
Fill a champagne glass with champagne or sparkling wine, pour in a couple of teaspoons of cassis, and float some strawberries on top.

Bellini
Fill a champagne glass about two-thirds full with champagne or sparkling wine. Top with peach nectar and garnish with a peach slice.

Champagne l'Orange
Fill a champagne glass two-thirds full with champagne or sparkling wine. Top with Lillet rouge and garnish with an orange slice.

Easy Mimosas
Fill a champagne glass two-thirds full with champagne. Top with orange juice and garnish with a orange slice. Or try our Whole Foods Market 365 Italian Tangerine Soda with a splash of champagne.