8 Sparkling Alternatives For When You Can’t Find Champagne

Shipping detainments, glass shortages, extreme weather… if the pandemic continues to teach our industry anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. While supply chain issues are predicted to last into 2023 and we might not see the same production numbers in Champagne as we’re used to, c’est la vie! Plenty of delicious bubbles abound, and we’re here to shine a spotlight on eight readily available alternatives:

Sparkling Rosés From France’s Italian Neighbors To The South

Available in the California Market:

Majolini Altéra Franciacorta Brut Rosé

One of Italy’s most lauded regions for wine production, the US is finally catching on to the regal and vibrant wines made using the Classical Method in Franciacorta DOCG. Behind Sweden alone, the US accounts for the second highest percent of Franciacorta’s global exports. It’s here that Majolini, a family that has been connected to the grapes and the land from the esteemed Ome municipality since the 15th century, craft wines of notable minerality and structure. Try their ‘Altéra’ rosé: only produced in the best vintages, its elegance and personality will add dimension to any program already brimming with Champagne.

Head Even Further South for Famed Cap Classique

South Africa’s answer to Champagne Methode wines has come a long way since 1973, when ‘Kaapse Vonkel’ (aka Cape Sparkle) was first released. Today about 250 producers in South Africa craft Cap Classique. And as leaders in global wine sustainability practices, heading for this category that has officially been around since 1991 should be a no-brainer. Krone, producers of vintage-only MCC at the historic Twee Jonge Gezellen farm in Tulbagh, released their inaugural bottling that very same year.

Available in Texas & California Markets:

Krone Rosé Cuvee Brut 2018

Leading with Pinot Noir and a touch of Chardonnay (8%), this ethereal, gossamer pink rosé pairs perfectly with melty Camembert, rolled porchetta, and salmon.

The Perfect Non-Vintage Bubble? Look for Lees

The standard in Champagne follows that any non vintage wine is required to spend at least 12 months on its lees. Beyond transforming texture, ‘sur lie’ aging adds depth and can impart aromas of hay, yeasty notes or even nuttiness. We can’t get enough of both of these bottles, which overdeliver with a minimum of 2 years on their lees:

Available in the California Market:

Cesarini Sforza Brut NV

Meet Cesarini Sforza— a traditional method sparkling wine producer known for their refinement and vitality, located in the Trento region of northeastern Italy. In 1993, Trento was one of the first regions worldwide after Champagne to attain official sparking wine certification. Intensely aromatic and complex, this highly rated wine displays an intense bouquet of citrus and white flowers with the sweet scent of cotton candy and pastries.​

Still Stuck on Champagne? Revisit These Heritage Brands:

Available in the California Market:

Ardinat Faust Carte d’Or Champagne NV

The story of this prolific Champagne house is one of legacy and a pioneering spirit. Back in 1968, Serge Faust made the innovative decision to convert his vineyards to organics. Today, under the reverential eye of his grandson Christophe, they remain one of the few growers to have achieved organic certification (there are only 100 estates out of 3,000 that are certified). 100% Pinot Meunier, this Champagne is both rich and creamy with gorgeous notes of white peach, honey, applesauce and toast.

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