Pop! There's something about the sound of a sparkling wine cork that instantly makes an occasion feel special. But here at The American Vine, we think a bottle of bubbles deserves more than a once-a-year appearance at midnight.

American sparkling wine is being made in an exciting range of styles and places. You can find crisp, elegant bottles from California and Oregon, lively wines from New York and Michigan, and even traditional-method sparkling wine produced in New Mexico. Some are delicate and citrusy; others are rich, toasty, fruity, or a little wonderfully unpredictable.

Whether you're shopping for a holiday dinner, a gift, or a relaxing Friday night, understanding a few terms can help you find the right bottle—and discover a new favorite American wine along the way.

Sparkling wine is wine with bubbles, and American sparkling wine comes in a remarkable variety of expressions. The grapes, growing region, winemaking method, and amount of sweetness all influence what ends up in your glass.

Many bottles are made from familiar grapes such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but American winemakers also experiment with Riesling, hybrid grapes, and other varieties. That diversity means there's an American bubbly for almost every taste, from bone-dry and elegant to fruity and gently sweet.

You may occasionally see the word "Champagne" on an American label. Champagne is the name of a wine region in France, and most American producers use "sparkling wine" instead. Some long-established U.S. brands are permitted to continue using the term under specific rules.

The bubbles don't all get into the bottle in the same way. Here are three methods worth knowing.

The traditional method begins with a still base wine. The winemaker adds yeast and sugar, then seals the wine in a bottle for a second fermentation. That fermentation creates carbon dioxide, which becomes trapped in the wine and produces its bubbles.

Afterward, the wine may spend time resting on its lees—the spent yeast cells left behind after fermentation. This ageing can contribute flavors and aromas reminiscent of toast, brioche, or nuts. The yeast sediment is eventually removed, and the bottle may receive a small addition of wine and sugar called dosage before the final cork goes in.

If you enjoy sparkling wine with fine bubbles and a little extra depth, traditional-method bottles are an excellent place to start. You may see "traditional method" or "méthode traditionnelle" on the label.

With the tank method, also called the Charmat method, the second fermentation takes place in a sealed, pressurized tank. The sparkling wine is then bottled under pressure to preserve the bubbles.

Tank-method wines often emphasize fresh fruit and floral aromas. They can be lively, approachable choices for casual gatherings, brunch, or a weeknight meal. As with any wine, the grape and the winemaker's choices matter, so the style can vary from bottle to bottle.

Pétillant naturel, usually shortened to pét-nat, is typically bottled before its first fermentation has finished. As fermentation continues in the sealed bottle, carbon dioxide becomes trapped and creates the sparkle.

Pét-nats can be fresh and expressive, sometimes with a softer fizz or a cloudy appearance from remaining yeast. They come in white, rosé, and red styles, and the amount of sweetness and sediment varies. Think of pét-nat as an invitation to try something a little different—not a promise that every bottle will taste the same.

One of the joys of American wine is discovering how many places contribute to the story. Sparkling wine is no exception.

California is an excellent starting point for exploring American sparkling wine. Producers work with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as other grapes, creating everything from crisp, fruit-focused bottles to traditional-method wines with richer, toasty character.

Look for bottles from areas such as Sonoma County, Napa Valley, and the Anderson Valley. As you explore, pay attention to the producer and the style: a California sparkling rosé and a long-aged blanc de blancs can offer two very different experiences.

Oregon's Willamette Valley is known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and both grapes have a place in the region's sparkling wine story. Producers make traditional-method wines as well as other sparkling styles, giving visitors and shoppers plenty to explore.

If you already enjoy Oregon Pinot Noir, trying a sparkling wine from the region is a fun way to see a familiar grape in a different light.

New York has a long relationship with sparkling wine. In the Finger Lakes, producers work with a range of grapes and methods, from traditional-method wines to pét-nats. Riesling can bring a distinctive Finger Lakes angle to a sparkling bottle.

On Long Island, you can also find producers focused on traditional-method sparkling wines. Together, the two regions offer a compelling reminder that New York wine country has much more to offer than still wine alone.

Michigan is another rewarding place to look for bubbles. Around the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, wineries make sparkling wines in a variety of styles. For American wine fans who enjoy discovering smaller producers, Michigan can make an intriguing addition to a tasting lineup.

New Jersey may not be the first state that comes to mind for sparkling wine, but Meadowbrook Winery in the Garden State is doing something worth paying attention to. Located in the rolling countryside of southern New Jersey, Meadowbrook produces sparkling wines that reflect the winery's commitment to thoughtful, small-batch winemaking.

Their sparkling offerings bring the same attention to detail that has made their Cabernet Franc program one of the most talked-about in the mid-Atlantic. If you're exploring American sparkling wine beyond the obvious regions, Meadowbrook Winery is a compelling reason to look east.

New Mexico might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of sparkling wine—but perhaps it should be on your list. Gruet Winery, for example, produces traditional-method sparkling wines in the state. It's one more reason to look beyond the best-known American wine regions when shopping for bubbles.

A label can tell you a lot about how sweet a sparkling wine is likely to taste. The most surprising detail? "Extra dry" is generally sweeter than "brut."

Common terms, roughly from driest to sweetest, include:

• Brut nature or zero dosage: Very dry, with little residual sugar.
• Extra brut: Very dry.
• Brut: Dry and a useful starting point for many sparkling wine drinkers.
• Extra dry: Usually a little softer and sweeter than brut.
• Sec: Noticeably sweeter.
• Demi-sec: A sweeter style that can work well with desserts.

These terms are useful guides, though acidity, fruit character, and serving temperature can also influence how sweet a wine seems.

A few more phrases can help you navigate the shelf.

Blanc de blancs means "white from whites": a white sparkling wine made from white grapes, often Chardonnay.

Blanc de noirs means "white from blacks": a white sparkling wine made from dark-skinned grapes such as Pinot Noir. Gentle pressing helps keep the wine pale.

Rosé describes the wine's pink color. Sparkling rosé can range from light and delicate to richer and berry-forward; the color alone does not tell you how sweet it is.

Non-vintage, often shown as NV, generally means the wine blends harvest years. A vintage date identifies a particular harvest year. Neither designation automatically makes one bottle better than another.

Blending isn't unique to sparkling wine, either. If you've ever wondered what winemakers are doing when they combine grapes in a still wine, our American red blends explainer covers why winemakers mix grapes — and what each component contributes.

Start with your own preferences. If you like crisp, dry wines, look for brut or extra brut on the label. If you prefer something a little softer, extra dry or sec might be worth exploring. Think about the occasion too: a lively pét-nat can be a fun choice for a casual gathering, while a traditional-method wine might feel right for a more celebratory moment.

Don't overlook smaller American producers. Some of the most interesting sparkling wines come from wineries you may not have heard of yet—and discovering them is part of the fun.

American sparkling wine is worth exploring year-round, not just when there's something to celebrate. The next time you're browsing the wine aisle or visiting a winery, consider reaching for a bottle of bubbles and seeing what American winemakers are doing with them.