A Toast to North Carolina’s bubbly Drinks
North Carolina isn’t just about still wines. Sparkling wines, ciders, and meads are growing in popularity, offering exciting bubbles, bright flavors, and a welcoming introduction to the state’s beverage scene. Whether you’re a longtime wine lover or a first-time visitor, these sparkling options add a sense of celebration to any tasting.
With locally sourced fruit, honey, and grapes, these beverages reflect the hospitality and craft spirit of NC producers.
Sparkling Wine: From Vineyard to Celebration
Sparkling wines in North Carolina are often made from Vinifera grapes or hybrids. Producers use methods ranging from the traditional Champagne method to tank fermentation, creating lively, fizzy wines with flavors ranging from crisp and citrusy to rich and toasty.
Tips for tasting NC sparkling wines:
- Look for brut, extra brut, or rosé sparkling wines for a fresh, food-friendly experience
Pro Tip- Brut means dry which means not sweet
- Pair with cheese plates, fresh seafood, or fruit desserts
- Explore producers across the Piedmont, Yadkin Valley, and mountain regions for unique terroir-driven bubbles
If you like Prosecco, try a NC sparkling Vidal Blanc or Chambourcin Rosé.
Cider: North Carolina’s Apple-Forward Effervescence
Cideries are thriving in NC, taking advantage of mountain apples, heirloom varieties, and sustainable orchards. North Carolina ciders range from dry and tart to sweet and fruit-forward, often with creative blends including peaches, berries, or honey.
Tips for enjoying NC cider:
- Check Our Producers Page or individual cideries for tasting options
- Look for small-batch, artisanal ciders that pair well with charcuterie boards or picnic fare, dry ciders are a game changer with roasted poultry!
- Seasonal releases, like apple harvest ciders in fall, highlight fresh, local flavors
If you like sparkling wine but want something fruit-forward, try a dry NC apple cider they are crisp, lively, and refreshing.
Mead: Honeyed Heritage in a Glass
Mead, the ancient honey wine, is also flourishing in North Carolina. Local meaderies use honey from regional apiaries, often blending with fruits, herbs, or spices to create complex, food-friendly wines.
Tips for tasting NC meads:
- Start with classic dry or semi-sweet meads to understand the base flavors
- Experiment with fruit- or spice-infused meads for dessert pairings or sipping by the fireplace. This writer has even had a French toast mead and it was delicious.
- Many meaderies offer seasonal releases and tasting flights, so you can explore multiple styles in one visit
If you enjoy rich, aromatic wines like Viognier or late-harvest Riesling, try a honeyed NC mead for a sweet, floral experience.
Where to Explore Sparkling, Cider, & Mead in NC
No matter where you are in the state, there’s a sparkling option for every taste:
- Mountain Region: Crisp sparkling wines, apple ciders, meads with local honey
- Piedmont & Yadkin Valley: Sparkling hybrids, artisanal ciders, and mead flights
- Coastal & Eastern NC: Fruit-forward sparkling wines, cider blends, and lighter meads
Plan your visit using Our Producers Page to filter by beverage type, food offerings, and open tasting days. Don’t forget to check winery, cidery, and meadery social media for food trucks, events, and seasonal releases. Sign up for the newsletter below to never miss a tasting, festival, or new release.