Is Champagne wine?

If there’s one question that may be expected more than most, and probably most commonly in just two months of every year, it must be “Is Champagne Wine?”. One of them of course is February – the Month of Love.

“Is Champagne Wine?” is, however, a simple question and what most who even occasionally drink wine might call a no-brainer. That clan would be wrong. 

Let’s take a closer look.

Best time for bubbles

Google Trends is a free online tool that provides amongst others a graphic representation of terms entered into the global search engine and the trends that emerge. Search the trend for, say “Bonnievale”, Google Trends reveals a steady stream of enquiries. Change the term to “Bonnievale Wine” and the trend jumps considerably. 

The reasons for the jump could be many. Perhaps the winery’s repeated awards consistently keep it in the headlines. Perhaps the winery’s reputation as being family friendly is leading more people to its location. Who knows? Deeper analysis is required.

But when it comes to Champagne over a five-year period, the graph looks like a heartbeat. The word Champagne is most included in worldwide searches during the month of December, when it peaks, and then again, to a far lesser extent but still with regularity, in February. Couples everywhere are not only looking for bubbles, but want to know more about it too. Some, in fact, even want to know, is Champagne wine? 

So, is Champagne wine?!

The answer is yes. 

Champagne is wine in that it is made from wine grapes, most commonly the varieties of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Furthermore, winemakers making Champagne employ many of the same techniques used for making still wine. This includes fermentation and maturation. An important difference, however, is that while the techniques to put bubbles in wine are used by winemakers around the world, only this style of wines made in the French province of Champagne, may be labelled as such. 

While France is regarded as the birthplace of the style, the drink sold so many bottles every year that the word Champagne itself became valuable. The French wineries wanted to protect it, so the first laws to do so were passed in 1919. Participation in trade agreements where the French or even Europe are involved, means most world countries abide by what is called the Geographic Indicator (GI) restriction.

In South Africa, wines made in the Champagne style have various names and fall into the category of sparkling wine. Here too, the question of “Is Champagne Wine?” gets a resounding yes, even if it’s known by a different name. The most widely enjoyed of the category are carbonated sparkling wines, like Bonnievale The Vale, available in a range of styles including rosé. This is followed by Cap Classique, which mirrors the French techniques. More niche versions include Méthode Ancestrale. 

Of course, many – if not most – South Africans still refer to these generically as Champagne, which doesn’t change that they’re one of South Africa’s most popular wines for refreshment and enjoyment. Is Champagne wine? Hell yeah, baby now go get some! Buy wine online today!