Sparkling Wines as a natural by product of the fermentation process, carbon dioxide is released in the liquid to provide a sparkle.
Wines with bubbles are associated, for many people, primarily with festivities and celebrations. Modern production techniques have brought sparkling wines to market that are more affordable and accessible for everyday enjoyment.
While Champagne may have a lock on the name, there are many other areas that produce top quality sparkling wines.
In English, they're called sparkling wine. Italians say Spumante. In German it's Sekt.
France produces quite a few amazing sparkling wines, Vins Mousseux, that are grown and produced in regions other than Champagne and other European counties have some extremely tasty offerings.
California, New York, Australia and the British Isles have begun making quite a few sparkles with their own bubbly wines.