American Sparkling Wine Day Date in the current year: July 3, 2024

Sparkling wine is a wine that has a high carbon dioxide content, which makes it fizzy. The world’s most famous sparkling wine is Champagne, produced in the eponymous region of France according to strict rules and regulations, but sparkling wines are produced around the world, and many countries and regions have their own names for local sparkling wines: Crémant in some parts of France, Cava in Spain, Espumante in Portugal, Asti. Franciacorta, Lambrusco and Prosecco in Italy, Sekt in Germany and Austria, Cap Classique in South Africa, and more.

Sparkling wines from North America may be less known than their European counterparts, but it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve attention. The history of American sparkling wines can be traced back to 1892, when the Korbel brothers started producing sparkling wine using the traditional (Champagne) method in Sonoma County, California.

Early American sparkling wines were produced from Chasselas, Muscatel, Riesling, and Traminer. As more traditional sparkling wine grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, Pinot meunier and Pinot noir) were introduced to California, the overall quality of Californian sparkling wines increased, and the region’s sparkling wine industry began to grow. Eventually some of the leading champagne houses set up wineries in California.

Today, significant amounts of sparkling wine are produced by more than 300 California wineries, as well as by wineries based in other states, including Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. The diversity of climates, soil and terrain in different states mean that there is a diverse selection of American sparkling wines in a range of styles from various corners of the country. Some wineries make sparkling wines using the traditional method, and some prefer the charmat method.

American Sparkling Wine Day was created by American freelance writer, wine law attorney and wine expert Davon D. E. Hatchett, also known as “The Bubbleista”. She was the first to notice a lack of a holiday celebrating American sparkling wine and decided to rectify the situation. Hatchet chose the date of July 3 for the holiday because of its proximity to the United States Independence Day. The main goal of the holiday is to bring attention to the quality and versatility of American sparkling wines in order to raise their popularity among wine lovers both in the United States and abroad.

Of course, the best way to celebrate American Sparkling Wine Day is to buy a bottle of sparkling wine produced by an American winery and share it with someone you love. You can also gift a bottle of sparkling wine to a friend, attend a sparkling wine tasting or a food and wine pairing class, schedule a winery tour, and spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtag #AmericanSparklingWineDay.