Choose one clear theme
A theme makes the tasting easier to follow and more fun. Pick one:
Style: Prosecco vs Cava vs Crémant vs Champagne-style
Method: Charmat (tank method) vs Traditional method
Sweetness: Brut Nature/Extra Brut vs Brut vs Extra Dry/Demi-Sec (if you want a clear contrast)
How many bottles and how much to pour
4 bottles is the sweet spot for a focused, enjoyable tasting. Go for 5–6 if you’re a bigger group.
Pour 60–80 ml per wine and person.
The best order for sparkling wines
Taste from light and simple to more complex and powerful:
Light, fruity sparkling (often Charmat/tank method)
Dry, crisp sparkling with bright acidity
Traditional-method sparkling with bready notes
More mature, fuller-bodied, or vintage-style sparkling
If you include rosé sparkling, place it after the whites and before the most intense bottle.
Temperature: the easiest upgrade
Serve sparkling well-chilled, but not ice-cold if you want the aromas to show.
Pour the first glass and give it 2–3 minutes before judging the nose. The wine opens quickly in the glass.
Glassware that works without fuss
Tulip-shaped sparkling glasses (slightly wider than a flute) capture aromas best.
If you only have regular white wine glasses, they work surprisingly well—especially for traditional-method bottles.
A simple tasting method that anyone can follow
Use the same four checkpoints for every wine:
Appearance: colour and bubble size (fine vs larger bubbles)
Aroma: citrus, apple/pear, floral, bready, nutty, mineral
Mousse: creamy and soft or zesty and sharp?
Taste: acidity, fruit, any sweetness, and length (how long the flavour lingers)
A quick tasting sheet to copy
Write one line per wine:
First impression (1–2 words)
Mousse: creamy or zesty
Flavour profile: fresh/citrus, fruity, bready/nutty
Score: 1–5
Best with: aperitif, seafood, salty snacks, dessert
Snacks that elevate bubbles (without overpowering them)
Sparkling wine loves salt and crunch:
Plain crisps/chips, salted almonds, simple salty bites
Shrimp or other light seafood if you want a more “hosted” feel
Mild cheese works, but avoid very pungent cheeses early in the tasting
Make it more exciting with a mini blind tasting
Number the bottles 1–4 and pour without revealing what they are.
Keep the guessing simple: style (fruity vs bready), dryness, and your favourite.
End with a winner
Vote for “sparkling of the night” and write one sentence on why it won.
That small wrap-up turns the tasting into a memory, not just a few glasses.
