The key difference between champagne and sparkling wine comes down to the region and method of production. Champagne is the VIP of sparkling wines, hailing exclusively from the prestigious Champagne region in France. By law, only bubbly produced here using the traditional “méthode champenoise” can be called champagne. This double fermentation process, with the second round happening in the bottle, gives champagne its signature fizz and elegant complexity.
On the flip side, sparkling wine is the life of the party, produced in various regions worldwide using a variety of methods. Think Prosecco from Italy, Cava from Spain, and Crémant from other parts of France. So, while all champagnes are sparkling wines, not all sparkling wines are champagnes. Regardless of the label, both bring effervescent joy to any celebration.