Inklingo

How to Say "sparkling wine" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “sparkling wine” is “champagne” — use this term when referring specifically to sparkling wine that originates from the Champagne region of France, or when using the French spelling generically for any sparkling wine, especially in more formal or international contexts..

English → Spanish

champagne

/cham-PAHN//tʃamˈpan/

nounA2generic
Use this term when referring specifically to sparkling wine that originates from the Champagne region of France, or when using the French spelling generically for any sparkling wine, especially in more formal or international contexts.
A green bottle of champagne with a golden label next to a tall glass filled with bubbly wine.

Examples

Brindamos con champagne por el año nuevo.

We toasted with champagne for the new year.

Prefiero el champagne muy frío.

I prefer champagne very cold.

La botella de champagne está en la mesa.

The bottle of champagne is on the table.

Gender of the word

Even though it ends in 'e', this word is masculine. You should use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el champagne'.

Counting champagne

Like water or wine, you don't usually make this word plural. To count it, talk about 'copas' (glasses) or 'botellas' (bottles).

Spelling variations

Mistake: “Writing 'shampán'.”

Correction: Always use 'ch' in Spanish. You can write 'champagne' (French style), 'champán' (standard Spanish), or 'champaña' (common in Latin America).

champaña

/cham-PAH-nyah//t͡ʃamˈpaɲa/

nounA2generic
This is the most common and widely understood term in many Spanish-speaking countries for any type of sparkling wine, regardless of origin, used in everyday conversation.
A green glass bottle and two tall glasses filled with bubbling light yellow sparkling wine.

Examples

Abrimos una botella de champaña para celebrar su cumpleaños.

We opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate her birthday.

La champaña estaba muy fría y deliciosa.

The champagne was very cold and delicious.

Sirvieron champaña en copas altas durante la boda.

They served champagne in tall glasses during the wedding.

Gender and Endings

This word ends in -a, so it is feminine. Use 'la' or 'una' with it (e.g., 'la champaña fría').

Mixing up Gender

Mistake: “Using 'el champaña'.”

Correction: Use 'la champaña' if the word ends in -a, or 'el champán' if you use the version ending in -n.

champán

nounB1general
This is the official Spanish spelling and is often used as a general term for sparkling wine, particularly in Spain and more formal writing, though 'champaña' is more common in everyday speech in Latin America.

Examples

Vamos a abrir una botella de champán para celebrar el ascenso.

We are going to open a bottle of Champagne to celebrate the promotion.

Champaña vs. Champagne

The most common confusion is between 'champaña' and 'champagne'. While 'champagne' technically refers only to wine from France's Champagne region, 'champaña' is the widely accepted Spanish term for any sparkling wine in most Spanish-speaking countries. Using 'champaña' is usually safe for general conversation.

Related Translations

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