The world of Champagne and Sparkling Wine can be quite daunting for the less experienced wine drinker (or even for the most experienced wine drinker!). We try to give you a very brief break down and overview in under two minutes. Enjoy the video and please let us know what you think!

“Hello, welcome to Elma Wine & Liquor. My name’s Tim. Today’s New Years Eve, so many of you will be out buying some of this great stuff behind me. Just for our quick primer, when you walk into a wine or liquor store and you ask for champagne, the first place the store associate might take you is the French section, which is real champagne. In order to be called champagne, the wine has to come from a small area in France called Champagne. That confined growing area and the limited supply and the high demand has lead to increasing prices over the years, anywhere from 30, 50, 60 hundreds of dollars a bottle. We always do have … You can always find some good values in some lesser known brand names as well, just be sure to ask the wine associate to help you.

Another good option that’s been on the rise lately, is Prosecco. Prosecco is a region in Italy that is known for their sparkling wine. They tend to be a little bit lighter and a touch sweeter than a lot of the champagnes, but they’re a great alternative for any sparkling wine fan. If you’re looking for something sweeter, always look for the words Spumante. If you’re looking for something dryer, look for the word Brut. Contrary to popular belief, the Extra Dry is actually less dry than the Brut.

Most importantly, just be sure to ask your store clerks and your wine associates for things that might fit your preferences. That’s why it’s always best to shop in a small store where the clerks get to know your own preferences. Thank you very much and Happy New Year to everybody. “