Traditional method sparkling wine (also known as méthode traditionnelle or method champenoise) is a premium style of bubbly defined by secondary fermentation in the bottle—the same process used to make Champagne. This challenging, very labor-intensive technique is widely considered the gold standard for how sparkling wine is made, producing wines with finer bubbles, richer texture, and more complex flavors. It’s also why traditional method sparkling wine is often compared to Champagne—and why wine experts consider it the best choice for special occasions like Mother’s Day.

So, is traditional method the same as Champagne? Not exactly. All Champagne is made using the traditional method, but not all traditional method sparkling wine is Champagne. Champagne is one of one and only wines produced in the Champagne region of France can legally be labeled Champagne. However, many of the best traditional method sparkling wines from regions like Oregon and California offer similar craftsmanship, structure, and aging potential. Indeed, the world of bubbly has never been bigger or more exciting.

Why Traditional Method Sparkling Wine Tastes Better

The defining characteristic of traditional method sparkling wine is that secondary fermentation takes place inside each individual bottle—not in a large tank that is subjected to pressure (as with Prosecco). Producers first make a base wine, then add a mixture called liqueur de tirage (wine, sugar, and yeast), which restarts fermentation in the bottle and creates carbonation naturally. This process also includes extended aging, often several years, on the lees (spent yeast cells), which contributes to the signature creamy mouthfeel, fine mousse, and pleasing flavors like brioche, toasted nuts, and citrus cream.

Jeanne Feldkamp, co-founder and co-winemaker of Corollary Wines, crafts her bubblies exclusively using the traditional method. She is also a founding board member of Method Oregon, a nonprofit dedicated to establishing Oregon as a world-class sparkling wine region., “Traditional method, for me,” explains Feldkamp, “is really all about transformation that happens only with patience. It’s kind of magical—how land and place are translated through a slow process over time.”

Whether you’re searching for the best traditional method sparkling wines to buy or looking for a Champagne alternative, these bottles highlight the range and quality of this winemaking style.

Two Of America’s Best Traditional Method Sparkling Wines

Corollary Cuvée One, 2022: Made from fruit harvested across six carefully selected vineyards, Cuvée One is all about Oregon’s “soul” says Feldkamp. This wine opens with a creamy mouthfeel and notes of ripe peach, some ginger spice and a thread of smokiness. $50

Rhys Late Disgorged Brut Rosé, 2019: A beautifully pale rose-hued sparkling wine from California’s central coast, this special late-disgorged bottling enjoys four years aging on the lees. A pillowy mousse-like texture on the palate is followed by notes of wild strawberries and watermelon laced with spice and pie crust round out the wine’s elegant profile. Complex, rich and delicious. $90 (this link is offered only to members and Forbes readers, otherwise you won’t find this wine)

Two Of The Best Traditional Method Champagnes

Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle Iteration No. 27: Ten, yes ten, years of aging on the lees will make an already great blend near perfect. A blend across several vintages, this expression is is an ode to finesse and texture. Notes of pear, lavender, candied lemon and buttery pie crust dance across the palate leaving so much to consider and enjoy. Genuinely marvelous. Laurent-Perrier, it’s worth noting, is one of Champagne’s pioneering wineries known for groundbreaking innovations such as being the first (in 1968) to introduce a maceration rosé champagne (Cuvée Rosé) using 100% Pinot Noir to create a non-vintage rosé. $274.99 average online

Krug Grande Cuvée 174ème: The newest expression from Krug is a painstakingly crafted blend of 143 wines from 10 different years—assembled from some 5000 tasting notes and a library of 400 wines. The youngest wine is from the year 2018 and the oldest dates back to 2001. Its final composition is 54% Pinot Noir, 29% Chardonnay and 17% Meunier. The cuvee is an astonishing feat of winemaking excellence, one that demands daily tastings, a superhuman palate able to recall flavors and nuances, and no small amount of vision. Krug Cellar Master Julie Cavil and her team must taste today and imagine what the Champagne will taste like in several more years. This edition spent seven years maturing in Krug’s cellars lending it creamy weight and texture, elegance, freshness and harmonious balance. $266 average online

Best Value Traditional Method Sparkling Wines

If you’re wondering which traditional method sparkling wines offer the best value, look beyond Champagne to regions like the Loire Valley and Oregon.

Ackerman Royal Brut, Crémant de Loire, 2020: Crémant is a French term used to denote wines made in the traditional method outside of the Champagne region—so you can generally expect high quality, and this is no exception. Rich and creamy on the palate with lovely pear and apple notes, this bubbly has playful threads of spice and brioche. A big bang for the buck at just $24 a bottle—drink it alone or pair with a creamy risotto. $24

Stoller Dundee Hills Estate Brut Sparkling: A non-vintage bubbly crafted from a blend of multiple vintages of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir (the classic Champagne grapes). Made in the Traditional method, this expression brings Fuji apple, citrus cream and soft spice notes to the palate. Great porch sipper or with a bowl of popcorn. $40