VINIDA - Sparkling wines, the how and the why not

Sparkling wines come in many guises. Champagne may be the world's most famous sparkling wine, but it is only one expression of this remarkably diverse category. From rich traditional-method wines to vibrant Prosecco, ancient-turned-trendy pét-nats and everything in between, sparkling wines come in an astonishing range of styles. For too many wine drinkers they remain something to be enjoyed primarily on special occasions - a terrible mistake.

Rather than focusing on a single region or style, we will take you on a journey across the sparkling wine world, comparing wines side by side and exploring the advantages of each production method (wine can be made sparkling in a half-dozen different ways!) as well as compromises it requires. Along the way, we will challenge a few common assumptions—including whether expensive sparkling wine is always better, whether Champagne is always the pinnacle, and why some of the most exciting sparkling wines today come from unexpected places.

In this tasting, we will uncover the science, history and craftsmanship behind the world's sparkling wines. By tasting examples made using different production methods, you will discover how decisions made in the winery influence everything from the size and persistence of the bubbles to aromas, texture, sweetness and complexity. Why do some sparkling wines develop notes of brioche and toasted nuts while others remain intensely fresh and fruity? Why are some creamy and rich, while others are crisp, light and exuberant? And what exactly creates those tiny bubbles in the first place?

Most importantly, this tasting is designed to change the way you experience sparkling wine. Beyond learning the technical differences between production methods, you will develop practical tasting skills that will help you identify quality, recognise different styles, and choose bottles with greater confidence. By understanding what creates a wine's personality, you may find yourself appreciating sparkling wines in an entirely new way.

This tasting will be presented in English by Denmark’s two-time blind tasting champion Domen Prešern DipWSET (domen@talkingwine.dk).

This tasting is open for everyone, but as we sometimes will be very detailed, it does offer a better experience if you have some basic knowledge of wines. A good help is to study this “cheat-sheet” kortlink.dk/2pdep and kortlink.dk/2pdfs, to get a basic understanding of wines, their appearance, aromas, flavors and structure.

It is possible to order a quick snack meal to be served at 18:10.

The presentation will be in English

Find your way to IDA Aarhus

This event is organized by Poul Tang poul.tang@m.ida.dk – 51 71 52 40.