Sparkling Red Wine (Different Styles, Best Wines to Buy 2024) (2024)

Keen on learning more about sparkling red wines and adding them to your wine collection?

Sparkling red wines had a reputation as a frivolous, extra-sweet drink in the 70s and 80s.

But, no longer! Today (apart from the conventional sparkling wine options like Lambrusco) you’ll find many exquisite and complex ones - some of which are definitely worth storing in your cellar for the long term.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about sparkling red wines, including some of the best ones to buy in 2024.

You also discover the easiest way to buy sparkling red wines, and other wines like a Dom Perignon or a delicious Beaujolais Nouveau!

What is Sparkling Red Wine?

Sparkling red wine is a type of sparkling wine that has a reddish hue. The process of making sparkling red wine is the same as making sparkling white wines (like an Asti Spumante.)

The base wine goes through primary fermentation similarly to still wines. This is followed by a secondary fermentation, and that’s when the bubbles start forming.

Sparkling red wines get their color when the grape juice comes into contact with the grape skins of the red grape varieties.

You can say that sparkling red wine is a more festive and flavorful alternative of fizzy white wines. The best part is that you can pair them with almost any food, from aperitif snacks to heavier meals and desserts.

Sparkling red wines vary in style from very dry to semi-sweet in taste and from deep rose color to inky-red depending on the type.

So, what types of sparkling red wines are out there?

Types of Sparkling Red Wine

There are four main types of sparkling red wines.

1. Blanc de Noirs

Rathfinny Blance De Noirs Brut 2015

Blanc de Noirs (white of blacks) are sparkling red wines made with 100% Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier red grape varietals. Interestingly, these are the most expensive ones that are worth investing in!

The grape juice is in contact with the grape skins for a limited time, as a result of which, these sparklers get a pale pink hue. That’s how many Champagne rosés are made.

Characteristics:

• Acidity: Medium - High
• Tannin: Low
• Body: Medium
• ABV (Alcohol by volume): 12-13%
• Sweetness: dry - semi-sweet

Taste: Blanc de Noirs might vary in taste, but many have red fruit flavors and a hint of sweet spice and brioche.

2. Lambrusco

Lambrusco is one of the most famous bubbly red types made with Lambrusco grapes, and it comes in different styles from sweet (dulce) to dry (secco) and from light to deep red.

Lambrusco wines are produced primarily in four zones of the Emilia Romagna wine region and one in Lombardy:

• Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro
• Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce
• Lambrusco Reggiano
• Lambrusco di Sorbara
• Lambrusco Mantovano

The four main types of Lambrusco are:

• Sweet Lambrusco- If you’re a fan of sweeter wines, look for a Lambrusco labeled “Dulce” or “Semi-secco.” This kind of Lambrusco goes well with different desserts, cakes, and pies.
• Dry Lambrusco- If you’re searching for a sparkling red wine to compliment your dinner, search for Lambrusco labeled “Secco.” It pairs well with heavier meals like pizza, burgers, and meat dishes.
• Light Lambrusco- Lambrusco Rosato (rosé) and Lambrusco di Sorbara are two of the lighter Lambrusco sparklers. They have low tannin levels and a fruity taste of strawberries and raspberries.
• Bold Lambrusco- Lambrusco Grasparossa and Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce are darker versions of Lambrusco with medium tannin levels. They taste like red fruits, blackberries, bright cherries, and hibiscus.

Characteristics:

• Acidity: Medium - High
• Tannin: Low - Medium
• Body: Light - Medium
• ABV: 10.5 - 11.5%
• Sweetness: sweet - dry

Taste: Lambrusco wines are typically fruity (like Apothic Wines) with a light berry taste.

3. Brachetto d’Acqui

Brachetto d’Acqui is a sparkling red wine produced in Piedmont (near Acqui) in Italy. All wines certified as Brachetto d’Acqui are produced with 100% Brachetto grape varietal, which gives the wine its red color.

This light and sweet sparkler pairs great with chocolate and other desserts, and it won’t give you a hangover since it has a very low alcohol percentage.

Characteristics:

• Acidity: Medium - High
• Tannin: Low
• Body: Light
• ABV: 5.5 - 6%
• Sweetness: sweet

Taste: The typical Brachetto d’Acqui flavors are rose, raspberry, blackberry, cotton candy, and cherry.

4. Shiraz

Shiraz, also known as Syrah, is both a grape and type of red wine found in Rhone Valley in France, and in many other parts of the world.

However, Sparkling Shiraz is a sparkling red wine made in South Australia from Shiraz grapes.

This sparkling wine pairs well with meats and tangy dishes. Also, the different Shiraz styles vary in sweetness from semi-dry to sweet.

Characteristics:

• Acidity: Medium
• Tannin: Medium
• Body: Medium
• ABV: 12 - 12.5%
• Sweetness: sweet - off-dry

Taste: Shiraz has playful flavor notes of cherry, spice, licorice, and brown sugar.

5. Other Rare Sparkling Red Wines

Some sparkling red wines are rare and hard to find. That’s because wine producers make more sparkling white wine, and along with it, they produce a few red ones but in much smaller quantities.

Most of these unique sparklers come from Italy. Some of them are:

• Aglianico Spumante Rosso: This semi sweet wine with light floral and raspberry flavors is made of 100% Aglianico grapes in the Italian regions of Campania and Basilicata.
• Barbera Frizzante: This Italian sparkling red wine tastes like raspberry, and is made with 100% Barbera grapes.
• Bonarda dell’ Oltrepò Pavese Frizzante: Produced in Lombardy, Italy, this sparkling red wine is dry and tastes like red fruits, plums, and pepper.
• Sangue di Giuda dell’ Oltrepo Pavese: This wine from Lombardy is a mix of Pinot Noir, Barbera, and Croatina grape varietals, among others, and has a sweet grape flavor.
• Freisa di Chieri. This sparkler is made with Freisa grapes in Piedmont, Italy and has a rich flavor of raspberries and violets.
• Zweigelt Sekt: This Austrian sparkling wine has a complex mix of flavors - red fruits, plum, coffee, and dark chocolate.

So far, so good. But how is sparkling red wine best served?

How to Serve Sparkling Red Wine

Different factors like the temperature, for example, can enhance the flavor intensity, so you get the most out of every sip.

Ideal Serving Temperature for Sparkling Red Wines

To enjoy your sparkling red wine to the fullest, you have to chill it properly. Cooler temperatures maximize the wine’s bubbly content and crispness.

To cool down your sparkling red wine, put it in the fridge for about 30 minutes until it cools to about 10-12 degrees Celsius. This way, the wine will be crisp, but at the same time, it won’t be too cold to lose its flavors.

Avoid putting bubblies in the freezer, even if you’re in a hurry. If you forget that you put the sparkling wine there, the bottle might explode.

Another way to cool down your sparkling wine is to put it in a bucket filled with water and ice. Again, you can leave the wine to cool down for about 30 minutes before you pour it.

Glasses to serve Sparkling Red Wine

And speaking of pouring it, what kind of wine glass should you serve the sparkling red wine?‍

Sparkling wine is best served in Champagne flute type of glasses. This way, you preserve the bubbliness for longer, and you can observe all the fizz inside the glass!

Best Sparkling Red Wines to buy in 2024 (Includes Taste and Prices)

If you’re still confused about which sparkling red wines are worth trying, here are some of the best ones categorized by country:

1. France

A. Krug Clos d’Ambonnay Blanc de Noirs 2002

This French sparkling wine from the Ambonnay province in the Champagne region in France is made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes.

The 2002 vintage is made only with grapes from the same year. This results in a delicate but yet intense fullness, followed by a long finish that completes this exceptional Blanc de Noirs.

Taste: A mix of honey, vanilla, and caramel notes, with a hint of citruses at the end.

Average price of Krug Clos d’ambonnay Blanc de Noirs 2002: $2,824

B. Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises Blanc de Noirs 2010

This Blanc de Noir wine is made of hand-picked Pinot Noir grapes in the village of Aÿ, Champagne.

This sparkling wine is made in small batches allowing the grapes to reach high maturity - a sign of high-quality wine that is smooth and rich in flavor.

Taste: On the nose, the wine has toasty and nutty aromas with a hint of honey and caramelized apples. On the palate, it’s fruity with hints of peach, apple, and pear.

Average price of Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises Blanc de Noirs 2010: $920