Most of us think of Champagne when we think of French sparkling wine, although France actually produces a variety of other wines with bubbles. Several regions of France have become known for their sparkling wines, including Burgundy and the Loire, and the often strict production guidelines in each region determine the different varieties of grape. There are four different degrees of sweetness, and that information should be clearly indicated on the bottle label. Brut is the most popular type of sparkling wine in France, and has a hint of sweetness as well as being dry; if you buy Champagne, it will almost certainly be labelled as being brut. Of course, it’s easy to spend a lot of money on sparkling wine from France, although it’s also possible to find perfectly drinkable wines at more reasonable prices. Look at online reviews for ideas on what to buy.
