Wine lovers are certainly consistent! In 2024, you were just as curious about sparkling wines as you were last year and the year before and the year before that, back to 2015, when we started this list. And that’s a good thing! Not only are sparkling wines festive and refreshing, you’ll find they are versatile and food-friendly.
Looking over the most-viewed questions for the year, you’re curious about many of the same topics, particularly storage, temperature and what to do about leftovers (?!). You had questions about terminology and the science of how Champagne is made. You also asked plenty of new questions. For example, interest has grown in Brut Natural and other very dry styles, as well as pét-nats, aged Champagne and more.
But you also wanted to know why the bubbles originate from the bottom of the glass and had concerns about the safety of sabering a bottle. (Not without reason!) In case you missed our previous lists of most frequently asked questions, or would like a bubbly refresher, I’ve rounded up the most popular bubbly questions of 2024.
If you’re still thirsty for sparkling knowledge, check out my roundup of fun party facts and my bubbly basics. And scroll to the bottom of the page for a nifty video on how to open a bottle of bubbles. Cheers!
Sparkling Wine and Temperature
• If I chill a bottle of Champagne, but don’t open it, can I put it back in my cellar?
• How long can Champagne be stored in a wine cooler?
• If a chilled Champagne warms up and then is chilled again, will it be ruined?
• What happens when a bottle of Champagne freezes?
Sparkling Wine Safety and Science
• Isn't sabering a bottle of Champagne dangerous? What if there’s broken glass in the bottle?
• Why do Champagne bubbles come from the bottom of my glass?
• How can I open a bottle of pét-nat without making a mess?
Sparkling Wine Storage and Aging
• Is aged Champagne ruined if there’s sediment in the bottle?
• I left a bottle of Champagne in the fridge for a year. Is it ruined?
• How long can an unopened bottle of Champagne be stored and stay good to drink?
• What’s the best way to store Champagne?
• What’s the best way to store Champagne once it’s been opened?
• Can I fly with a bottle of Champagne in my checked luggage? Will it explode?
• Is aged Champagne ruined if there’s sediment in the bottle?
Sparkling Wine Terms
• What is a “zero-dosage” Champagne?
• When referring to sparkling wine, what do ‘bead,’ ‘mousse’ and ‘perlage’ mean?
• What does “brut” mean in terms of Champagne?
• What's the difference between “natural” and “brut” Champagne?
• What are these “pét-nat” sparkling wines my hipster wine friends keep talking about?
