Terra Americana

A very broad definition of all of the above is those wines which pop when opened, giving off copious amounts of carbon dioxide bubbles. More technical definitions are based on levels of carbon dioxide and are usually what determines the taxes levied on the drink, a good reason behind why it can be so pricey. From country to country people toast with a similar drink under varying names, in Germany it is referred to as Sekt, the Italians call it Spumante, the Spanish and Portuguese label theirs Espumoso, Russians drink Shampanski and if they are not consuming Champagne in France, it is Mousseux. 

via www.examiner.com