The 9 Best Sparkling Red Wines In 2026

Sparkling red wine doesn't get as much buzz as more conventional sparkling white and rosé wines, but it's well worth exploring if you're a fan of bubbles. From bright, fruit-forward Italian Lambrusco to richer, more structured Australian sparkling Shiraz, the refreshing style offers a range of flavors and textures that set it apart from more familiar sparkling wines. If you're new to the style, you might be curious about where to start; thankfully, there are a number of suitable bottles to choose from once you know where to look.

Drawing from my experience as a Certified Specialist of Wine and holder of the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, I put together a selection of sparkling red wines from leading wine regions around the world, as well as some more unusual offerings. This includes a combination of wines I have personally tasted, as well as those that have received praise from esteemed wine reviewers. These bottles are either earlier vintages released in 2026 or non-vintage wines released on a rolling basis. For a bold and vibrant take on bubbles, here are the best sparkling red wines to try in 2026.

The Pellegrini family has been involved in California's wine industry since the early 1900s, and established the Olivet Lane Vineyard in Sonoma County in 1975. Old Pinot Noir vines benefit from the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean and the distinctive terroir of the Russian River Valley, which has helped make the vineyard a leading name in the region.

The winery's 2024 Olivet Lane Sparkling Red is a refreshing take on the sparkling red style, made with fruit hand-harvested from its heritage vineyards. Thanks to cool nights and early morning fog, the grapes retain their acidity as they ripen. The grapes undergo carbonic maceration to enhance their fruity character, and the wine undergoes secondary fermentation using the Charmat method to produce a lively, aromatic sparkling red. The wine displays vibrant notes of raspberry, plum, and cranberry, along with floral aromas and hints of spice. This is an excellent wine to serve as an aperitif or to pair with savory appetizers, like prosciutto with melon.

For over two decades, Foxeys Hangout has produced wine in the Mornington Peninsula region of Victoria, Australia. The winery focuses on organic viticulture and biodynamic practices, farming its vineyards sustainably to maintain ecological balance. In the cellar, intervention is kept to a minimum to showcase the terroir at its purest. The winery produces a broad selection of styles, but its sparkling wines are particularly worth trying, as the region's cool climate helps preserve their bright acidity.

Foxeys Hangout Sparkling Shiraz is made by fermenting grapes with their naturally occurring yeasts and aging the base wine in neutral French oak barrels. It then undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle using the méthode traditionnelle. The result is a balance of rich aromas and a refreshing palate, with notes of plum, blackcurrant, blueberry, and baking spice. The tannins are silky and seamless, while vibrant acidity makes this an excellent wine to pair with food. Thanks to its heartier aromas, it's a great match for pork dishes and dark chocolate desserts.

Emilia Romagna in Italy is the homeland of Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine that is the region's star viticultural product. At Cantina Puianello, a unique microclimate provides optimal conditions for the vines to produce this refreshing wine. Founded in 1938, the winery has spent decades reviving ancient grape varieties while working with international varieties, too. This blend of tradition and innovation is evident in the vineyard and the cellar. With a focus on organic viticulture and sustainability, the winery aims to showcase its fruit at its best. Lambrusco is one of its main focuses, thanks to the numerous Lambrusco grape varieties it bottles both as single-varietal wines and in blends.

The Contrada Borgoleto Semisecco Lambrusco Reggiano blends three Lambrusco varieties along with another local grape to create a classic expression of Lambrusco Reggiano. The wine displays rich floral aromas with notes of wild berries, black cherry, vanilla, and baking spice. The well-balanced palate is off-dry with soft tannins, resulting in a juicy and subtly sweet wine. It balances a concentrated fragrance with freshness, making this a good choice to serve with food, notably local favorites like prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and cheese ravioli.

VentiVenti is a family-owned winery in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, named for the year of its first vintage. It focuses on producing sparkling wines, especially those made using the traditional method, with secondary fermentation in the bottle. The Rouge de Noirs is one of the winery's classic single-varietal bottlings, made from Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce grapes.

The wine is fermented at low temperature to retain the freshness and fragrance of the fruit, then matured in stainless steel tanks before secondary fermentation. It then ages in the bottle on the lees for an extended period, allowing the spent yeast cells to enhance the wine's texture. The wine is very dry with minimal residual sugar, but not austere, thanks to floral aromas that add richness and elegance to the palate. Notes of flowers and spice mingle with hints of plum and cherry that are balanced by an earthy finish. The mousse is pleasantly creamy and the finish is long, making this an elegant bottle to serve with a meal.

Azienda Agricola Cavaliera is also located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and consequently produces fantastic Lambrusco. The family-owned winery was founded in the 1980s and has continued to evolve, expanding its organic vineyards and exploring a variety of winemaking techniques.

Federico — each Cavaliera wine is named after a family member – is made with bold-flavored Lambrusco Grasparossa grapes which are hand-harvested, fermented, then matured in stainless steel tanks to retain the fresh aromas. Secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle per the traditional method, adding depth and complexity to this sparkling red wine. It displays red fruit notes of cherry and strawberry along with hints of floral violet. The wine is subtly sweet with smooth tannins and features a fresh acidity, making it an excellent match for salami crostini and a perfect red to pair with pizza.

Although Italy is well known for Lambrusco, other regions in the country produce sparkling red wines worthy of sampling. On the Sorrento Peninsula in southern Italy, the town of Gragnano has a centuries-old history of producing sparkling red wine. Salvatore Martusciello is a small-batch producer in the area that upholds this tradition. The winery's Otto Uve wines are a blend of eight indigenous grape varieties historically used to produce Gragnano.

The Gragnano della Penisola Sorrentina DOC is one of these bottlings. The grapes grow in predominantly volcanic soils, with clay and limestone also present, in a Mediterranean climate. After fermentation, the wine is bottled and undergoes secondary fermentation that gives it a gentle fizz. The wine displays floral aromas of violet and rose, along with red fruits like strawberry and raspberry. Its lively, lemony acidity keeps the palate vibrant and fresh, while the finish is dry. This is a great choice to serve at your next pizza night, especially given Gragnano's association with Neapolitan pizza.

Matthiasson is a small, independent family-owned winery in Napa with a keen focus on the terroir of its various vineyards and a firm dedication to organic farming. While still wines made with chardonnay and cabernet are part of the portfolio, experimental styles using Italian grape varieties are also common. Case in point, the winery's Sparkling Barbera.

Made in the style of Italian Lambrusco, this sparkling red blends Californian terroir with Italian tradition. The fruit ripens quickly thanks to the warm climate, so it's harvested early to keep the alcohol content from getting too high. The first fermentation is carried out with naturally occurring yeasts before the wine is aged in barrels. It then undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle. The wine is also unfiltered, preserving more of its natural character and texture. Vibrant red-fruit notes of cherry, berries, and plum mingle with earthy and savory flavors. The wine has a gentle effervescence and is pleasantly refreshing, making it a perfect complement to sliced mortadella or Manchego cheese.

Paladin Vigne e Vini is a family-owned winery located in Veneto in northern Italy. Founded in 1962, the winery has continued to flourish over the decades, guided by a passion for the land and a commitment to expressing the terroir through its balanced wines. Thanks to the rich mineral content of the soil, a wide range of grape varieties grow well in its vineyards. Although the region is known for Prosecco, Paladin produces a sparkling red wine made from raboso, a historic grape variety indigenous to the region.

Raboso Fiore Sparkling Red Wine is made with fruit that is harvested later in the season to ensure the aromas are fully concentrated. The winemaking prioritizes freshness and fragrance, using the Charmat method of secondary fermentation to produce a wine with bold fruit and floral notes. Cherry, wild berries, violet, and hints of spice mingle with soft tannins and a creamy mousse. Some residual sugar keeps the wine gently sweet, making it a good match for barbecued meats, hard cheeses, and meaty pizzas.

Marenco has been producing wine in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. Sustainability is a key value of the winery, which uses viticultural practices designed to protect the environment, from soil management to bottling. The wines are produced from native grape varieties, expressing the Piedmontese terroir in every bottle.

Marenco Pineto Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG is made with local brachetto grapes sourced from the Pineto vineyard. The grapes are hand-harvested and left to macerate on their skins to infuse the juice with color before fermentation in pressurized tanks. Fermentation is stopped by filtration when the wine reaches 5% ABV, preserving its natural sweetness and delicate sparkle. In the glass, the wine is sweet and lightly sparkling with delicate notes of roses and red berries. Brachetto d'Acqui pairs well with classic Piedmont dishes, particularly rich desserts like Gianduja chocolate or panna cotta.

As a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and holder of the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, I selected sparkling red wines for this list based on my own tasting experience and recognition from reputable wine outlets. I considered the wines' quality, distinctive characteristics, and food-pairing potential, alongside each producer's commitment to sustainable winemaking and viticulture. The selection includes recent releases and continuously produced nonvintage wines from established sparkling red wine regions and less familiar areas, showcasing the diversity of styles available, from dry to sweet.