sparkling wine

English · OIV definition

The OIV defines sparkling wine as a special wine with a bottle overpressure of at least 3.5 bar at 20 °C, or 3 bar for bottles under 0.25 L.1

The OIV figure differs from EU law, where plain sparkling wine needs at least 3 bar and quality sparkling wine at least 3.5 bar.2 Below the OIV threshold sit semi-sparkling and still wines, defined by CO2 content.3 Wines whose gas is partly or totally added are classed by the OIV as carbonated wine.4 The OIV also uses the same sugar bands as the EU for demi-sec (32-50 g/L) and sweet (above 50 g/L).1 See bar and pressure.

See also

CO2 and pressure in the bottleSciencesparkling wineGlossarybarGlossaryEU categories of sparkling wineMethods

Sources

  1. OIV International Code of Oenological Practices, I.4.4 Sparkling wines
  2. legislation.gov.uk (copy of EU OJ text). Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, Annex VII Part II (categories of grapevine products), original version as adopted (2013-12-17)
  3. OIV International Code of Oenological Practices, I.3.3 Complementary definitions relating to carbon dioxide content
  4. OIV International Code of Oenological Practices, I.4.5 Carbonated wines

Facts checked on 2026-10-19