Champagne, Prosecco and sparkling wine are not three words for the same thing: Champagne can only come from the Champagne region of France, Prosecco is Italy's tank-fermented sparkler made from Glera grapes, and "sparkling wine" is the umbrella term for everything else, including California's best bottles. The good news is you do not have to choose blind — Del Mesa Liquor, a family-owned liquor store in San Diego, California, stocks all three styles side by side, and every bottle below is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor today, from an $18.99 Prosecco to a $79.99 Champagne.
The short answer: place, grape and method
Three things separate the styles in our Champagne and sparkling wine collection. Place: true Champagne is made only in France's Champagne region; Prosecco comes from north-east Italy; a bottle labelled simply "sparkling wine" can be made almost anywhere, including California. Grape: Champagne is built on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier, while Prosecco is Glera. Method: Champagne and the best California sparklers ferment a second time inside the bottle, which builds fine bubbles and toasty, creamy texture; Prosecco ferments in a sealed tank — the Charmat method — which keeps it fresh, fruity and friendlier on price. "Brut" on any of them means dry.
Prosecco and French rosé: fresh, fruity, ready tonight
- La Marca Prosecco Sparkling Wine — $18.99. A 750mL Extra Dry Prosecco DOC from Treviso in the Veneto, made from Glera by the Charmat method at 11% ABV. Bright, fruit-first and lightly off-dry — the aperitif pour, the mimosa bottle and the easiest crowd-pleaser on this list.
- Luc Belaire Rose — $29.99. A 750mL French sparkling rosé from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur at 12.5% ABV, blended from Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault and finished in steel by the Charmat method. Deep pink, fresh and fruit-forward, in Belaire's unmistakable black bottle — the bottle that photographs as well as it pours.
California sparkling: the Champagne method, closer to home
- Korbel Brut Sparkling Wine — $19.99. A 750mL non-vintage cuvée from Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, Sonoma County — a house making sparkling wine since 1882 — blending Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard and Pinot Noir by méthode champenoise at 12% ABV. Balanced and medium-dry, and remarkable value for bottle-fermented wine.
- J Vineyards Cuvee Brut Sparkling Wine — $32.99. A 750mL non-vintage sparkler from the Russian River Valley, made by the traditional method from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier at 12.5% ABV, with extended lees ageing for toasted, creamy complexity. This is the step-up California bottle that drinks closest to Champagne.
Champagne: the original, for when the bottle is the occasion
- Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne — $59.99. The house's iconic non-vintage bottling, created in 1869 and blended from more than 100 wines — Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay with a share of reserve wines. Generous, bright and endlessly giftable; if you are climbing to the top shelf, our Prestige Champagne Guide covers Cristal, Dom Pérignon P2 and Krug.
- Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne — $79.99. Veuve Clicquot's signature non-vintage Champagne: a Pinot Noir-led blend drawn from 50 to 60 crus with a generous share of reserve wines, in the famous yellow label. Structured, rich and the definitive celebration gift — browse the wider shelf in our gift sets collection for boxed options.
Which bottle for which moment?
Brunch, mimosas and big gatherings: La Marca Prosecco. A weeknight bottle with real méthode champenoise character: Korbel Brut. A rosé for the table or the photo: Luc Belaire Rose. A dinner-party bottle that will impress a Champagne drinker: J Vineyards Cuvée. The classic gift and the holiday toast: Moët & Chandon Impérial or Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. For the rest of the holiday table, our Thanksgiving Wine Guide pairs still wines with the turkey, and the full range sits in the wine collection. Orders ship under our shipping and return policy, and our FAQs cover delivery questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Champagne and Prosecco?
Champagne comes only from the Champagne region of France and ferments a second time in the bottle, giving fine bubbles and toasty depth. Prosecco comes from north-east Italy, is made mainly from Glera grapes, and ferments in a sealed tank, giving a fresher, fruitier and usually less expensive wine — for example La Marca Prosecco at $18.99 versus Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne at $79.99, both available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
Is sparkling wine the same as Champagne?
No. Sparkling wine is the general term for any wine with bubbles. Only sparkling wine made in France's Champagne region under its rules may be called Champagne; bottle-fermented California wines such as Korbel Brut ($19.99) and J Vineyards Cuvée ($32.99) are labelled sparkling wine even though they use the same traditional method.
Which sparkling wine is best for mimosas?
A fresh, fruit-forward and affordable bottle — Prosecco is the classic choice because its bright fruit stands up to orange juice. La Marca Prosecco Sparkling Wine at $18.99 and Korbel Brut Sparkling Wine at $19.99 are the two bottles we recommend for brunch at Del Mesa Liquor.
Where can I buy Champagne, Prosecco and sparkling wine online?
All three styles are available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, a family-owned store in San Diego, California — from La Marca Prosecco at $18.99 and Korbel Brut at $19.99 to Moët & Chandon Impérial at $59.99 and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label at $79.99. See more guides on the Del Mesa blog.