Sparkling Wine
The Greeks and the Romans loved their sparkling wines (which in those days was simply wine that was still fermenting as they drank it), though they had no idea what was creating those charming little bubbles in their goblets. By the Middle Ages, attitudes had changed and bubbly wine was considered a major frustration. It seems that the plunge into the Dark Ages wiped out many valuable Roman wine-related inventions. Wines that were produced in Champagne, France were more prone to bubbles that were determined to escape the new thinly-made glass bottles. As much as 90% of a cellar's worth could be lost as a result of exploding bottles which would often result in a domino effect. Working in the cellars was extremely hazardous and laborers wore iron masks and heavy leather full-body aprons to protect their faces and bodies from exploding glass. The fermentation process that we know today was not understood then, and this sparkling took on the name of "The Devil's Wine" due to the injury and destruction the process created.
By the 17th century, attitudes had changed, wine-making - controlled almost exclusively by the monks of various orders throughout France, Italy and Spain, was becoming an art form. The use of cork to seal bottles had been refined and was in widespread use, ensuring a better and longer lasting wine. Sparkling wines were becoming increasingly popular, especially with the British. The British would buy the wines of the Champagne region in France, have it shipped in wooden casks, and store it in much stronger glass bottles. A gentleman named Christopher Merret submitted a paper in 1662 stating that adding sugar to a wine would create the desired bubbles. The secret was out. Today, the worlds best sparkling wine is created by a two-step fermentation process called "méthode Champenoise" using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Only sparkling wines that come from the Champagne region of France are allowed to be called champagne but there are many fine examples of this wine-making process available as sparkling wine from almost every corner of the globe today.
When it comes to choosing a sparkling wines for your sacramental needs there are really very few choices throughout the world. That is because there are very few sparkling wines that are blessed as ours are, and therefore appropriate for use in holy rites and other religious celebratory functions. We have two Sacramental sparkling wines - a traditional example made in the méthode Champenoise style, and a sparkling raspberry wine that is dry, crisp and clean.
Sacramental Sparkling Wine
The Universal Life Church Sacramental Sparkling Wine is made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown in Washington State, in a classic example of a dry champagne-styled wine. It is a great alternative to using regular still-wine (wine that is not sparkling) as sacramental offerings. Whether you are performing a wedding, mass, blessing, baptism or other religious ceremony, Sacramental Sparkling Wine is a wonderful alternative and one that will make the memories even that more special for all your congregation members.
Sacramental Raspberry Sparkle
For those who are not fond of the taste of traditional Champagne-styled wines, we offer up our Sacramental Raspberry Sparkle. This is a true fruit-based wine but using raspberries instead of grapes. It is still quite dry (not sweet) but the haunting aromas and flavors of raspberries is really refreshing and a great alternative to other types of sacramental wines for all your special sacramental rites needs.
