The Best Sparkling Wine Wineries Outside Champagne
Champagne sells more bottles than any other sparkling appellation, but it is far from alone. Spain, Italy, England, the US, Australia, South Africa, and a handful of others all produce serious traditional-method (or charmat alternative) sparkling. These are the best estates outside Champagne.
Italy: Franciacorta
Italy's leading traditional-method sparkling region, in Lombardy. Ca' del Bosco, Bellavista, Berlucchi, Ferghettina, and Cavalleri are reference Franciacorta producers; the Satèn style (Chardonnay only, lower pressure) is the regional specialty.
Italy: Trento DOC
Trentino's traditional-method DOC. Ferrari (the dominant brand), Cesarini Sforza, and Letrari are reference producers; cooler than Franciacorta, slightly more austere wines.
Spain: Cava
Penedès-centred traditional-method sparkling. Recaredo, Gramona, and Llopart in the new Corpinnat group (which broke away from Cava DO); Raventós i Blanc (now Conca del Riu Anoia DO). Cava's recent Reserva and Gran Reserva tiers signal serious quality.
England: Sussex and Hampshire
The fastest-growing sparkling region in the world. Nyetimber, Gusbourne, Hambledon, Hattingley Valley, Wiston, and Ridgeview produce traditional-method sparkling from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier that has consistently beaten Champagne in blind tastings.
US: California
Schramsberg (Calistoga), Iron Horse (Sonoma), Roederer Estate (Anderson Valley, sister to Louis Roederer), Domaine Carneros (sister to Taittinger), and Mumm Napa are reference US sparkling producers.
Tasmania, Australia
Tasmania's cool climate gives Australia's best traditional-method sparkling. Jansz, Arras, Stefano Lubiana, and Pirie are reference producers; many bottle vintage cuvées that age beautifully.
South Africa: Méthode Cap Classique
The traditional-method sparkling category. Graham Beck, Pongrácz, Le Lude, and Silverthorn are reference producers; Krone (Twee Jonge Gezellen) is the historic name.
Loire (Crémant de Loire)
A serious alternative — Bouvet-Ladubay, Langlois-Château, and Domaine de Saint-Just produce Crémant of high quality at a fraction of Champagne prices.
Burgundy (Crémant de Bourgogne)
The other serious alternative — Bailly-Lapierre, Veuve Ambal, and Louis Bouillot are reference Crémant de Bourgogne producers.
Explore on the map
Every estate above is on the interactive map. Filter by country and search the producer name or region — England's Sussex and Hampshire, Tasmania, and Sonoma's Carneros are particularly dense with quality sparkling.