Wholesale Champagne and Sparkling Wine: All You Need to Know

Champagne is often associated with celebrations and special occasions. It’s usually on the expensive side of the beverage menu. That’s why it’s not considered an everyday drink. Businesses often find suppliers and purchase wholesale champagne as its retail price can be significantly higher. However, as it’s usually more expensive than wine, restaurants and other businesses that buy wholesale wine risk overstocking on champagne. In this article, we’ll go into detail about the wholesale champagne niche. We’ll also share more about the different types of champagne as well as the differences between champagne, prosecco, and sparkling wine. This blog is part of our series related to the wholesale beverage industry. Check out our posts on juice from concentrate vs not from concentrate or wholesale water.

What Is the Difference between Champagne, Prosecco, and Sparkling Wine

Even though champagne is often used to describe regular sparkling wine, there are differences between the categories of champagne, prosecco, and sparkling wine. Let’s see what they are.

1. Places of origin. For a drink to be called champagne, it has to be produced in the Champagne region in France where the history of champagne began. On the other hand, prosecco is manufactured in some regions of Italy. Its name derives from the prosecco grape type (called Glera in Italy). Although the most popular types of drinks are sparkling, there are also prosecco wines that are still. Sparkling wines are produced in regions outside of Champagne and Prosecco. Countries that make large quantities of sparkling wine include Spain, Germany, Portugal, and the US.
2. Grapes used. Champagne is usually made from Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir. Prosecco must be made from at least 85% Glera grape. Other sparkling wines can be made virtually from any type of grape.
3. Methodology. Champagne is produced using the so-called traditional method where the drink ferments a second time in the bottles. Prosecco is produced in a tank under pressure. Other sparkling wines can use either methodology based on their traditions and the winemaker's choice.

Key takeaway: Champagne is a more expensive form of sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region in France. It’s often associated with celebrations and special occasions and is not an everyday drink. Wholesale champagne distributors often import it from France or partner with other importers.

Types of Wholesale Champagne on the Market

There are many types of champagne on the market. Very few restaurants can afford to purchase all categories from wholesale drinks suppliers and champagne importers. However, there are eCommerce stores that offer exclusive champagnes of any style.

Styles of Champagne

When ordering wholesale champagne, businesses usually aim to cover some of these different categories. 

• Blanc de Blancs. It’s French for "white from whites". This type of champagne is made from Chardonnay grapes. Suppliers of wholesale champagne and spirits might have blanc de blancs sparkling wines in their catalogs as the term is used to describe not only champagne but also other sparkling wines that are made from Chardonnay.
• Blanc de Noirs. It’s made from black grapes like Pinot Noir. Even though the skins are removed, the grape juice still has a little coloring left.
• Rosé. Made from both red and white wines, this type of champagne has a distinct pink color.

Sweetness Levels

• Brut Nature. This is the driest style. It contains little to no sugar.
• Extra Brut. Even though it has more sugar than Brut Nature, it is still a dry champagne.
• Brut. A fairly dry type but slightly sweeter compared to the aforementioned.
• Extra Sec. It contains between 12 and 17 grams of sugar per liter, but it’s still considered a dry champagne.
• Sec. This semi-sweet style pairs well with aged cheese.
• Demi-Sec. It is a moderately sweet champagne that has a fruity aroma.
• Doux. With more than 50g of sugar per liter, this is the sweetest champagne type.

Products and Accessories Offered by Wholesale Champagne Suppliers

Wholesale liquor and wine suppliers often sell a wide range of additional products and accessories too. For example, they might offer ready-to-drink cocktails with prosecco like Aperol Spritz or mixes of wholesale champagne and bulk juice (Mimosa cocktail). The hard seltzers industry often experiments and introduces exotic combinations. For example, manufacturers might buy wholesale tequila, champagne, and soft drinks from soda wholesale distributors and produce ready-to-drink champagne margaritas. Besides drinks and beverages, suppliers might also offer champagne-related accessories.

• Glasses. There are two types of glasses used for champagne - flutes and coupes. Flutes effectively keep the aroma of the drink. Their long shape also helps concentrate the bubbles for a better release of the taste. Coupes, on the other hand, have a wide bowl. They are often used for some champagne cocktails and add a retro charm. As champagne is often consumed at weddings and other special occasions, suppliers might also offer flute trays and glass charms. 
• Coolers. They are used to keep the low drink chilled during service. Champagne buckets are often made of steel, but some manufacturers also make transparent acrylic or crystal champagne buckets.
• Stoppers and sealers. These accessories help preserve the fizz in the beverage after it’s opened.
• Openers. They are also called champagne keys. These devices are used to safely open champagne bottles without a pop. They are often used in fine dining establishments and other luxurious places where spilling champagne is not desirable.
• Sabering kits. During celebrations and ceremonies, champagne bottles are often opened with a saber. That’s why suppliers might also sell sabering kits that include a ceremonial saber and instructions on how to safely use it to open champagne.

Frequently Asked Questions about Champagne

Whether you’re a professional who’s looking for a wholesale champagne distributor or an enthusiast who wants to know more about the beverage, we hope this article has answered some of your questions. Below we’ve included a few frequently asked questions on the topic of champagne. Don’t forget to check the other articles we have related to spirits and drinks like the one on wholesale whiskey or wholesale energy drinks.

Does Champagne Age in Bottles or Barrels?

Just like wine, champagne ages in bottles. Champagne has a complex aging process. It goes through two fermentation stages. The first fermentation is when the grape juice turns into wine. After that, the wine is bottled and sugar and yeast are added. This starts the secondary fermentation which makes the drink carbonated. After that, the drink is left to age for at least 15 months. After that first aging process, the bottles are frozen and opened. The pressure inside the bottle ejects the yeast sediment which leaves behind just the champagne. After that, the bottles are sealed and left to age once again.

How to Open Champagne?

The safest way to open a champagne bottle is to remove the wire cage, hold the cork, and gently twist the bottle until it opens with a slight hiss. On special occasions, champagne is often popped.
Champagne sabers are another way to open champagne bottles. In order to saber a champagne, you need to quickly and effectively strike the point where the seam meets the lower lip of the champagne bottle. This will break the upper part of the bottle and the pressure will push it at least 10 feet forward. Keep in mind that it can be dangerous to saber champagne bottles as it basically breaks the bottle.

What's the Right Temperature to Serve Champagne?

Similar to white wine, champagne is served chilled. The standard temperature is between 45°F to 48°F (7°C to 9°C). At this temperature, the champagne unlocks all its flavors and notes. Chilling the champagne bottles significantly increases the pressure inside them.