Picture this: it’s a Tuesday evening, and you’re craving a celebratory glass of bubbly, but all you have is a flat bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. Or maybe you opened a bottle of Prosecco last night, and now it’s lost its sparkle. The question that bubbles up is almost inevitable for any home fizz enthusiast: Can You Carbonate Wine with your trusty soda maker? The short answer is a resounding yes, but the full story is a bit more nuanced and comes with a few crucial ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ to turn your still wine into a sparkling sensation safely and effectively.
As the experts at Soda Maker Pro, we’ve experimented with just about every liquid imaginable. Let’s pop the cork on this topic and explore the exciting world of homemade sparkling wine.
Why Even Try to Carbonate Wine?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” You might be surprised by the practical and creative reasons to give your favorite wine a fizzy makeover.
- Rescue Mission for Flat Bubbly: It’s the most common reason. Don’t pour that day-old Champagne or Cava down the drain! A soda maker can bring it right back to life, restoring its delightful effervescence.
- The Ultimate Customization: You are the winemaker, or at least, the wine-sparkler. Prefer a lightly petillant Rosé? You can do that. Want a full-on, aggressively bubbly Pinot Grigio? You’re in control. You can create a sparkling version of any wine you love.
- Cost-Effective Celebrations: Let’s be honest, a good bottle of Champagne can be pricey. By carbonating a good quality, affordable still wine, you can enjoy a premium sparkling experience for a fraction of the cost. It’s your secret weapon for budget-friendly brunches and impromptu parties.
- Creative Cocktail Crafting: Carbonating wine opens up a new frontier for homemade cocktails. Think sparkling sangrias, fizzy French 75s with a twist, or unique spritzers where the wine itself is the source of the bubbles.
“Carbonating wine at home is a game-changer for beverage enthusiasts. It’s not just about adding bubbles; it’s about controlling the texture and mouthfeel of your drink. The key is understanding that wine behaves differently than water due to its sugar and alcohol content, which requires a more delicate approach.” – Dr. Amelia Thorne, Beverage Scientist.
The Science: Why Carbonating Wine is Different
Your Soda Maker Pro is engineered to be brilliant at one thing: dissolving CO2 gas into cold water. When you decide to carbonate wine, you’re changing the chemistry a bit. Here’s what’s happening under the hood.
Water is simple (H2O). Wine, however, is a complex mixture of water, alcohol, sugars, acids, and tannins. These dissolved solids give CO2 more “nucleation sites”—tiny particles for bubbles to form on. This means wine has a much greater tendency to foam up… explosively. If you’re not careful, you could end up with a sticky Jackson Pollock painting all over your kitchen.
The secret to success lies in two things: temperature and pressure control.
- Temperature: Colder liquids hold dissolved gas much better. This is non-negotiable. Chilling your wine thoroughly is the single most important step for getting great carbonation without a great big mess.
- Pressure: Introducing the CO2 slowly and releasing the pressure even more slowly prevents the gas from escaping all at once, which is what causes that dreaded foam-over.
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Our Picks for the Best Soda Maker in 2026
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| Num | Product | Action |
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| 1 | Sparkling Water Maker, 1L Soda Siphon, Aluminum Sodastream Soda Makers for Home, Portable Water Maker for Soda Water, Cocktails or Soda Water, Use 8 gram CO2 Cartridges(Not Included) |
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| 2 | Philips Soda Streaming Machine, Stainless Sparkling Water Maker Easy Install with Quick Twist 1L PET Carbonating Bottle, Soda Maker Compatible with 60L CO2 Carbonator (NOT Included), ADD4902BKOQ/37 |
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| 3 | The Carbon8 Pulse Soda Maker Machine, Premium OmniFizz Sparkling Water Maker, Seltzer & More, Soda Stream Machine for Home, Water Carbonator, Fizz Infuser (CO2 Cylinder Not Included), Black |
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| 4 | Aarke Carbonator lll with CO2 Cylinder, Sparkling & Carbonation Water Machine, Stainless Steel with PET BPA-Free Reusable Bottle Volume 1L/34 fl oz (Matte White) |
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| 5 | Sparkling Water Maker, Soda Streaming Machine with 1L BPA-Free Carbonation Bottle, Makes Home Fizzy Drinks, Seltzer Carbonated Water Maker, Compatible with Standard 60L CO2 Carbonators (Not Included) |
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| 6 | Aarke Carbonator Pro, Sparkling & Carbonation Water Machine, Stainless Steel with Glass Reusable Bottle Volume 800 mL/27 fl oz (Stainless Steel) |
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| 7 | iSi North America Classic Sodamaker, 1 Quart - Stainless Steel Carbonation System for Sparkling Water, Fresh Beverages, Handcrafted Cocktails - Portable & Professional Soda Maker for Restaurant Use |
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| 8 | Portable Sparkling Water Maker - Travel Soda Maker for Home & Outdoor, 1L Carbonating Bottle, 10 pcs CO2 Cylinders, Compact Carbonated Water Machine for Flavored Drinks, Soda Machine (Red) |
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| 9 | iSi North America Classic Sodamaker Set with Soda Siphon Chargers, 50-Pack - Stainless Steel 1-Quart Sparkling Water System & CO2 Carbonation Chargers for Carbonated Drinks, Juices, Cocktails |
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| 10 | SodaStream - Terra Soda Streaming Machine - STARTER KIT - Sparkling Water Maker with CO2 & Bubly Drop - Eco-Friendly, No Batteries Needed - Black |
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How to Carbonate Wine: The Safe Step-by-Step Method
Ready to become a master of homemade bubbly? Grab your favorite bottle of still wine and your Soda Maker Pro. Let’s walk through the process, focusing on safety and the best results.
- Chill, Chill, and Chill Some More: This is the golden rule. Your wine should be very cold. We’re talking at least two hours in the coldest part of your fridge, or even 15-20 minutes in the freezer (but don’t forget it in there!). The soda maker bottle should also be chilled.
- Fill to the Line (and No More): Pour your very cold wine into the Soda Maker Pro carbonating bottle. It’s tempting to want to make as much as possible, but do not overfill. Adhere strictly to the fill line on the bottle. This leaves crucial headspace for the gas and foam.
- Connect and Secure: Attach the bottle to your Soda Maker Pro as you normally would. Ensure it’s screwed on tightly and is secure.
- Carbonate with Care: This is where you deviate from carbonating water. Instead of long, hard presses, use short, gentle bursts of CO2. Press the button for just one second. Wait. Let the wine settle. You’ll see it start to foam. Wait for the foam to subside a bit, then give it another one-second burst. Repeat this process 3-5 times, depending on your desired level of fizziness. Patience is your best friend here.
- Let It Rest: Once you’ve added the CO2, do not immediately remove the bottle. Let it sit in the machine for at least a minute. This allows the CO2 to fully dissolve into the wine, resulting in finer, longer-lasting bubbles.
- The Slow Release: This is the most critical step for avoiding a wine volcano. Do not quickly unscrew the bottle. Instead, very slowly and carefully begin to unscrew it. If you have a pressure release valve, use it in tiny bursts. You will hear the hiss of escaping gas. If foam starts rising rapidly toward the top, immediately tighten the cap again and wait for it to settle before trying again. This process can take a minute or two, but it’s worth it.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the pressure is fully released, you can gently remove the cap. Pour your freshly made sparkling wine into a glass and admire your handiwork. Cheers!
Which Wines Work Best for Carbonation?
While you can carbonate almost any wine, some are definitely better suited for it.
- Best Bets: Crisp, high-acid white wines are fantastic. Think Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, un-oaked Chardonnay, or a dry Riesling. Their bright, clean profiles are a perfect canvas for bubbles.
- Excellent Options: Dry Rosé wines are also a wonderful choice. They transform into beautiful, festive sparkling Rosés that are perfect for summer sipping.
- The Challenge: Red wines can be tricky. Their tannins can sometimes react with the carbonic acid (formed by CO2 and water) to create a slightly metallic or harsh taste. If you want to try it, opt for a light-bodied, low-tannin red like a Gamay or a Pinot Noir.
Creative Ideas for Your Homemade Bubbly
Now that you know how to carbonate wine, the fun really begins.
- The Perfect Spritzer: Carbonate a crisp white wine and pour it over ice. Add a splash of elderflower liqueur and a sprig of mint for an elegant and refreshing drink.
- Sparkling Red Sangria: Instead of adding club soda at the end, carbonate your light-bodied red wine first. Then, gently mix it with your chopped fruit, brandy, and orange juice. The result is a sangria where every single drop is fizzy.
- Mimosa Upgrade: Why use store-bought Prosecco when you can make your own? Carbonate a bottle of dry white wine for the freshest, bubbliest Mimosas or Bellinis you’ve ever had.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid (The Don’ts)
To ensure your sparkling experiments are successful and safe, please avoid these common pitfalls.
- Don’t Use Warm Wine: We can’t say this enough. It will create a foamy mess and the carbonation won’t hold.
- Don’t Add Anything But Wine: Never add syrups, sugar, or fruit to the bottle before carbonating. This will cause extreme foaming and can clog or damage your machine. Add any extras to the glass after you’ve carbonated the wine.
- Don’t Shake the Bottle: After carbonating, treat the bottle like you would any other carbonated beverage. Don’t shake it unless you’re planning to redecorate your ceiling.
- Don’t Rush the Process: Patience during the carbonation and, most importantly, the pressure release phase is the key to a successful and clean outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will carbonating wine void the warranty on my soda maker?
A: Most soda maker manufacturers, including Soda Maker Pro, officially recommend only carbonating water. Carbonating other liquids like wine is done at your own risk. However, by following the slow, careful method described and cleaning your machine properly, you can minimize any potential issues.
Q: How long will the carbonation last in the wine?
A: The carbonation will be at its peak right after you make it. If you seal the bottle tightly with its original cap, it should stay fizzy in the fridge for 1-2 days, similar to a store-bought sparkling wine.
Q: Can I re-carbonate a bottle of wine that has gone flat?
A: Absolutely! This is one of the best uses for this technique. Just make sure the flat wine is thoroughly chilled before you begin the process.
Q: Is it cheaper to carbonate my own wine than to buy sparkling wine?
A: In most cases, yes. You can purchase a quality bottle of still Pinot Grigio for significantly less than an equivalent quality bottle of Prosecco. Over time, the savings on CO2 refills and affordable wine can really add up.
Q: Can you carbonate red wine successfully?
A: You can, but it’s more of an acquired taste. The key is to choose a red that is light-bodied and low in tannins, like a Beaujolais. The result will be more like a Lambrusco. It’s a fun experiment, but start with white wines first.
The Final Fizz
So, can you carbonate wine? The answer is a definitive and exciting yes. It’s a fantastic way to get more out of your soda maker, reduce waste, save money, and unleash your inner mixologist. By respecting the science, prioritizing cold temperatures, and practicing patience, you can safely transform any bottle of still wine into a vibrant, sparkling treat. Go ahead, raid your wine rack, chill a bottle, and start creating your own signature bubbly. The world of homemade sparkling beverages is officially open for exploration.