Spanish Word of the Day: Champán (champagne)

Known for its bubbles and refreshing taste, champagne is a common drink at life’s celebrations. In Spanish, the word is known as champán. It comes from the Latin word campania, meaning open country or flat land. It is in reference to the geographical features of the region where this sparkling wine is from.

Latin American Pronunciation

European Pronunciation

Champán is a masculine noun and takes the following definite and indefinite articles:

el champán = the champagne
los champanes = the champagnes
un champán = a champagne
unos champanes = some champagnes

¿Me puedes pasar una copa de champán, por favor?

Can you pass me a glass of champagne, please?

Champán is a type of vino espumoso (sparkling wine) made primarily from three grape varieties which include Chardonnay, Pinot negro (Pinot Noir), and Pinot Meunier. To make it burbujeante (bubbly), the wine goes through a second fermentación (fermentation) in the bottle, which creates a fizz.

Most champán is dry, referred to as brut when it’s not dulce (sweet). The sweeter versions are referred to as demi-sec. In Spanish, both of those have the same name.

Hoy vamos a abrir una botella de Brut para celebrar.

Today we’re going to open a bottle of Brut to celebrate.

True champán can only be produced in the Champagne region of France. If this drink is made outside this region, it’s simply called vino espumoso (sparkling wine) or other names, but not champagne.

Below are some names of vinos espumosos (sparkling wines) in other regions. The Spanish name is said the same as it is in English or the original language’s version.

Crémant: sparkling wines in France from regions outside Champagne, France
Prosecco: sparkling wines from Italy (Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions)
Franciacorta: high-quality sparkling wine from Italy, from Lombardy
Asti: a sweet sparkling wine from Italy made from the Moscato grape, produced in the Asti region
Cava: sparkling wine from Spain, primarily made in the Penedés region
Sekt: sparkling wine made in Germany, often from Riesling or other local grape varieties.
Vino espumoso/sparkling wine: what it’s called in the United States if it’s from any other region than Champagne France but also the state of California produces some of this sparkling wine
Espumante (sparkling wine): sparkling wine from Portugal, made using a variety of local and international grape varieties

Despite these distinctions in names, in most Spanish-speaking countries, the word for champán remains the same when referring to this bubbly drink.

Fun Fact:

Cava is a vino espumoso (sparkling wine) primarily made in the Penedés region of Spain. It’s known for its fresh and crisp flavors with hints of citrus, apple, and almond. It’s made in the traditional method that champán is, but it’s generally cheaper and more affordable, but with the same high-quality flavor. It is perfectly paired with tapas, cheese, and seafood.

Champán is mainly used for moments of celebración (celebration) and joyful occasions with friends and family. It’s the perfect drink for raising a glass to dar un brindis (give a toast) during a wedding, to ring in the New Year, or to celebrate a special achievement.

Este Año Nuevo, vamos a abrir una botella de champán especial.

This New Year, we’re going to open a special bottle of champagne.

Fun Fact:

In some Spanish-speaking countries, the word champaña is often used as a regional variation of champán to refer to champagne. While champán aligns more closely with the French pronunciation (champagne), champaña is popular in countries like Argentina, Chile, and Colombia, reflecting a linguistic tendency to adapt foreign terms with more phonetic and naturalized spelling.