Total Wine Sparkling Tasting: Pop Open a Party Review

After such great experiences at my previous tastings, I didn’t hesitate when I saw “Pop Open a Party: Great Sparkling Wines” at Total Wine. This Total Wine sparkling tasting focused entirely on bubbles, featuring a lineup of sparkling wines from around the world, including Prosecco, Champagne, and California Brut styles. Between the variety of wines, helpful tasting notes, and a few surprises along the way, it was easily one of the most fun tastings yet.

The Total Wine Sparkling Tasting Experience

This Total Wine sparkling tasting had a slightly different energy compared to the others—in the best way. Sparkling wine naturally brings a more celebratory feel, and this class fully leaned into that “Pop Open a Party” vibe.

Alex led the tasting again, and she was fantastic as always. She was engaging and knowledgeable, making the experience feel approachable. Throughout the evening, she walked us through each wine, explaining the differences in style, region, and sweetness level.

The educational piece really stood out during this tasting. We spent time learning about the sparkling wine sweetness scale, from Brut to Demi-Sec. We also talked through the differences between Champagne and other sparkling wines like Prosecco and Crémant. It added helpful context to what we were tasting.

The booklet was another great resource. It included tips on evaluating wine, properly opening a bottle of sparkling (always a good reminder), and even a breakdown of glassware. For example, we learned why a tulip glass is often preferred over a flute or a coupe for preserving aromas and bubbles.

Of course, there were plenty of snacks to go with the wines. Total Wine had sandwiches, cheese, crackers, fruit, and dips available throughout the tasting. It made it easy to pace the wines and enjoy the experience.

As a Total Wine Reserve member, you also have the opportunity to attend six tastings per year at half price, which adds even more value to experiences like this. Between the wines, the education, and the overall atmosphere, these tastings remain well worth it.

Wines We Tasted at the Sparkling Tasting

The lineup for this Total Wine sparkling tasting featured a mix of styles and regions, giving us a great overview of sparkling wines from around the world. We tasted everything from light and fruit-forward Prosecco to more complex Champagne, along with a few fun surprises in between.

What made this tasting especially interesting was the variety. Each wine highlighted a different approach to sparkling winemaking, from the Charmat method used in Prosecco to the traditional method used in Champagne. As a result, you could really taste the differences in texture, bubbles, and overall complexity from one glass to the next.

There was also a nice range in price points, which made it easy to compare everyday options with more premium bottles. Some were bright and easy-drinking, while others had more depth and structure.

Overall, I found myself gravitating more toward the Champagnes and Crémant styles in this tasting. They had a bit more complexity and balance compared to some of the lighter options.

Sparkling Wines

ella Strada Bellini Peach – $11.99
A fun and easy-drinking start to the tasting. It leaned sweet and fruity, but it added a playful element to the lineup.

Borrasca Prosecco DOCG – $16.99
Crisp with light fruit notes, but this one wasn’t my favorite of the group. I tend to prefer a bit more depth and structure in my sparkling wines.

Clairville California Brut – $15.99
Bright and citrus-forward with a clean finish. A solid, approachable option.

Louis Bouillot Perle de Vigne Brut (Crémant) – $19.99
One of my favorites of the night. It had great balance, a finer bubble, and more complexity than some of the others.

De Saint-Gall Le Tradition 1er Cru Brut – $50.99
Another standout for me. Elegant and well-structured, with a noticeable step up in quality.

Marie de Moy Brut Rosé Champagne – $49.99
My favorite of the tasting. Bright, balanced, and just really enjoyable from start to finish.

Colligny Brut Champagne – $34.99
Fresh and balanced with a slightly creamy texture. A nice middle ground Champagne.

Tsarine Brut Champagne – $54.99
Refined and crisp with citrus notes. A great way to end the tasting.

Sparkling Wine Basics We Learned

One of the highlights of this Total Wine sparkling tasting was diving into the fundamentals of sparkling wine. Even if you’ve had Champagne or Prosecco before, it’s helpful to understand what actually sets them apart.

To start, not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Champagne can only come from the Champagne region of France and is made using the traditional method. This process involves a second fermentation in the bottle, which creates finer bubbles and more complex flavors. That’s often why Champagne feels a bit more elegant and structured.

In contrast, wines like Prosecco are typically made using the Charmat method. This process happens in a tank instead of the bottle, which usually results in a lighter, fruitier style with softer bubbles. It’s often more approachable, though it may not have the same depth as Champagne.

We also talked through the sweetness scale, which can be a little misleading at first. For example, Brut is actually dry, while Extra Dry has a touch more sweetness. Moving up the scale, you’ll find Demi-Sec, which is noticeably sweeter and often pairs well with desserts.

Another helpful tip was around serving and glassware. Sparkling wines are best served chilled, typically between 43–50°F. While flutes are popular, a tulip-shaped glass is often better because it allows the aromas to develop while still preserving the bubbles.

These small details made a big difference in how I experienced each wine. It also explained why I naturally gravitated toward the Champagne and Crémant styles, which tend to offer more complexity and balance.

The Final Pour

Overall, this Total Wine sparkling tasting was another fun and educational experience. The variety of wines kept things interesting, and the focus on sparkling styles made it feel a little more celebratory than the others.

While I didn’t love every wine (looking at you, Prosecco), the tasting definitely helped me better understand what I gravitate toward. Not surprisingly, the Champagne, Crémant, and Rosé styles stood out the most for me thanks to their balance and complexity.

What I continue to appreciate about these tastings is how approachable they are. You get to try a range of wines, learn something new, and figure out your personal preferences along the way. It’s a great way to explore without committing to full bottles upfront—although in my case, that doesn’t always happen.

If you missed my last tasting, you can also check out my Total Wine Italian wine tasting recap, where we explored reds from across Italy. Between that experience and this one, it’s safe to say these tastings are becoming a go-to way for me to try new wines and regions.

And honestly, I’m already looking forward to the next one.