As the name implies, a sparkling wine sparkles in the form of a bubble effect due to its rich carbon dioxide content.

It’s the month of February and with it comes Valentine’s Day. For that intimate dinner with your loved one, a bottle of wine is the way to go to set the mood for a cosy evening.

For the special occasion, you may want something different from the usual red or white that you both enjoy with a meal and choose a fittingly celebratory sparkling wine.

Sparkling wine is something that many people use to celebrate special occasions; be it enjoying the company of friends or spending time with someone special. The wine’s sparkly, bubbly nature ensures it’s a memorable drink, no matter what!

Sparkling wine is grape juice with alcohol and bubbles. The fermented grape juice is made effervescent by carbon dioxide gas, introduced artificially or produced naturally by secondary fermentation. During this process, winemakers add to the still wine a mixture of yeast and sugars which produces carbon dioxide.

That is the main difference between sparkling and still wines – the former has dissolved carbon dioxide, achieving the bubbles effect.

Sparkling wine can be divided into three categories – Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava, which hail from France, Italy, and Spain, respectively.

Though white sparkling wines are most common, sparkling rosé and, to a lesser extent, red wines can also be found.

Sparkling wines range from dry to sweet and express a spectrum of flavours that depend on the grape(s) used, the climate they were grown in, and the winemaking method used.

Typical flavours in sparkling wine can be citrus, apple, vanilla, toast and nuttiness. High quality and vintage Champagnes and sparkling wines tend to be more creamy and toasty.

Prosecco tends to be more light and fruity.

Sparkling wine should be well chilled – 30 minutes in ice water or 3 hours in the refrigerator should do the trick – and served in slender, flute-shaped glasses. By chilling the sparkling wine, its flavour, bubbles, and nose are enhanced.

You don’t want your sparkling too cold or you won’t be able to experience the unique nutty crispness hidden in many great sparkling varieties. The ideal serving temperature is between 6°C and 9°C.

With Valentine’s Day coming along, remember to grab your bottle of sparkling wine from aeclub.com.my.