Sparkling red wine

Sparkling red wine is a unique, bubbly variety. It combines the rich fruit flavours of red wine with the bubbles and effervescence of a sparkling wine. Often overlooked in favour of its more famous white and rosé counterparts, red sparkling wine adds a new dimension to the sparkling wine style.

These wines can range from dry to sweet and may be light or full-bodied, depending on the grape variety used and the production method.

Sparkling red wines are gaining popularity for their unique flavours and versatility in food pairing. Popular types of sparkling red wine include Italian Lambrusco, Australian sparkling Shiraz and Brachetto d’Acqui, among others. These wines are often served chilled and can be a great addition to festive occasions or paired with a meal.

Like other sparkling wines, sparkling red wines are made with a second fermentation process that produces carbon dioxide gas and results in the formation of bubbles.

The process of making red sparkling wine is similar to white sparkling wine, with a few differences in retaining the colour and characteristics of the red grapes.

This process begins with carefully harvesting and pressing the grapes when they have just the right balance of sweetness and acidity. The skins are left to soak in the juice to extract their colour and flavour, producing a more vibrant and flavourful wine.

Next, the juice from the grapes is fermented in vats, with yeast turning the sugars in the grape juice into alcohol. The winemaker might blend different still wines to achieve a specific flavour.

For the second fermentation, the blended wine is bottled along with a mixture of yeast and sugar, which is also known as “liqueur de tirage.” The bottles are then sealed. The yeast consumes the sugar inside the sealed bottle, creating alcohol and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide forms the bubbles that make the wine sparkling.

The bottles are then left to age on the dead yeast cells, or “lees”, which give the wine more complexity and flavour. These lees are later removed, and the winemaker may adjust the sweetness of the wine before corking and labelling the bottles.

Sparkling red wine is made in a number of wine regions across the world. Each region offers a unique take on this fizzy style of red wine.

Italy has the longest tradition in sparkling red winemaking. The northern Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy regions are famous for Lambrusco, a frothy, fruit-forward red sparkling wine made from Lambrusco grapes. Further south in the Campania region, you can find the lighter-bodied, semi-sparkling Gragnano red wine. Brachetto d’Acqui is an aromatic sparkling red wine with strawberry and rose notes from Piedmont.

Australia is another major producer of sparkling red wine. Sparkling Shiraz is predominantly made in regions such as South Australia and Victoria.

Climate plays a crucial role in the production of red sparkling wine. Warmer climates, such as in Australia, tend to produce riper, more fruit-forward and fuller-bodied wines. But cooler climates, like in northern Italy, can lead to lighter, more subtle and often more acidic sparkling red wines.

Sparkling red wines make for a festive and unique wine experience. They can be a welcome alternative for those looking to explore beyond typical whites and rosés. Here are some of the most popular sparkling red wines:

• Lambrusco – This Italian wine is one of the best-known sparkling reds. Made in the Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy regions of Italy, Lambrusco is crafted from the grape variety of the same name. It is often made in a range of styles from dry (secco) to sweet (dolce) and is known for its bright, frothy bubbles and flavours of ripe black and red bramble fruits, often accompanied by floral and spice notes.
• Brachetto d'Acqui – Another Italian sparkling red, Brachetto d’Acqui is sweet and low in alcohol, with flavours that resemble fresh strawberries. It’s often served chilled and can pair deliciously with desserts.
• Sparkling Shiraz – A distinctive style from Australia, these wines are made from Shiraz grapes. They are often rich and full-bodied. You can expect an array of ripe black fruit flavours, chocolate and spicy notes. While many versions are made in a dry style, some can be slightly sweet.
• Gragnano – Produced in Campania, Italy, from a blend of local grapes, including Aglianico and Piedirosso. Gragnano is a semi-sparkling (frizzante) red wine with a sweet, frothy character and flavours of dark berries, purple flowers and a subtle earthiness.
• Bonarda – This sparkling red comes from the Lombardy region of Italy. Bonarda (not to be confused with the Argentinian Bonarda) can be made in both dry and sweet styles. It’s an easy-drinking sparkling red with fresh red fruit flavours.

Sparkling red wines can pair beautifully with various dishes due to their vibrant fruit flavours and refreshing bubbles.

• Lambrusco – Its bright acidity and frothy bubbles make Lambrusco a perfect match for rich, fatty dishes. It pairs well with cheese and charcuterie, like prosciutto or salami, its acidity and bubbles cutting through the delicate fat and cleansing the palate.
• Brachetto d'Acqui – With its sweet strawberry and rose flavours, Brachetto d’Acqui pairs wonderfully with fruit or chocolate-based desserts.
• Australian Sparkling Shiraz – The fuller-bodied and robust style of Sparkling Shiraz calls for heartier dishes. It goes well with barbecued meats, as its ripe fruit flavours complement the smoky, savoury flavours.
• Gragnano – With its lighter body and slight sweetness, Gragnano pairs deliciously with pizza or pasta with tomato-based sauces. The wine’s bubbles and acidity balance the richness and tanginess of these dishes.
• Bonarda Frizzante – Its off-dry, fresh red fruit flavours make it a good match for charcuterie or slightly spicy dishes. Bonarda Frizzante matches the intensity of flavours and refreshes the palate.

Sparkling red wine can vary widely in taste depending on the grape variety used, the region where it’s produced, and the winemaking process. However, sparkling red wines typically have fresh, ripe red and black fruit flavours such as strawberries, cherries, blackberries or plums.

Specific styles of sparkling red wine display distinctive flavour profiles. For instance, Italian Lambrusco is often characterised by bright cherry and raspberry flavours with floral and sometimes earthy notes. Brachetto d’Acqui offers a sweeter profile with strong hints of strawberries and roses. Australian Sparkling Shiraz is typically richer and more robust, showcasing riper fruit flavours such as blackberry and black cherry, alongside chocolate and spicy accents.

Sparkling red wine is best served chilled – between 8-10ºC – to highlight its refreshing bubbles and vibrant fruit flavours. Pop the bottle in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.

This type of wine is traditionally served in a flute to maintain and showcase its prized bubbles. However, a wider, tulip-shaped glass can better express a red sparkling wine’s complex aromas – try with different glasses to see which you prefer.