Sparkling wine is any fizzy wine made with carbon dioxide. Sparkling is a style of wine, not a specific varietal. As such, just about any wine — from white wine to rosé to red wine — can become a sparkling sensation. Sparkling wine can also be dry or sweet, depending on the winemaker.
Sparkling wines are produced around the world, including in Old World regions like Austria, France, Spain, and Italy, and in New World regions including Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
The most popular sparkling whites include Champagne, Cava, and Prosecco. While those come from France, Spain, and Italy, respectively, there are plenty of fantastic options from the United States.
Like Champagne, most American sparkling wines are made from a blend of three grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. When looking at the labels, consider the grape types that you generally prefer. Is Pinot Noir dry? Is Chardonnay overproduced? Is Pinot Meunier too acidic? That said, any Champagne labeled blanc de blanc ("white from white") is made exclusively from white grapes while blanc de noir ("white from black") is made from dark-skinned grapes.