If Champagne is the king of special occasion tipples, Prosecco is undoubtedly the queen, while Cava might just be the heir.
So where does that leave Crémant? A spare? We think not.
As the unsung hero of sparkling wine, it’s made the same ‘traditional method’ as Champagne but can’t be called as such because it’s produced outside of the French region, while it’s aged for a minimum of nine months to form its rich texture, dry flavour and soft bubbles. There are eight official styles of Crémant you’ll find on the shelves, but the main ones are Crémant d’Alsace, Crémant de Bourgogne, Crémant de Loire and Crémant de Limoux, each with a distinctive profile.
Kathryn Glass, buying manager and wine educator at independent wine and spirits supplier Kingsland Drinks, says: “I’ve been a long-time convert to Crémant so it’s really heartening to see that sales are booming in the UK.
The surge in popularity is down to consumers beginning to understand its value and quality. The fact that Crémant is made using the traditional method of secondary fermentation in the bottle, just like Champagne, but at a fraction of the price, is one aspect. But it’s also aged on its lees before release, like Champagne, so there’s a style crossover there.
Although the legal restrictions allow a shorter ageing period in Crémant versus Champagne, consumers can still appreciate some of that biscuity, brioche-style complexity so highly coveted in many Champagnes.”
Glass adds: “The other factor paving the way for Crémant is that Prosecco has been dominating the sparkling market for several years. Prosecco allowed consumers to enjoy fizz in a more casual way, whilst Champagne is still seen by many for celebrating that special occasion. Consumers are now ready and willing to explore alternative styles while the price point of Crémant is often between that of Prosecco and Champagne.
We work with suppliers of Crémant from Alsace to Bourgogne and Limoux, amongst others. Consumers can ‘travel’ through France reassured by the Crémant label and discover the nuances of each region.”
But how can you fake being an expert with your new-found fizz without actually being one?
The expert advises: “Firstly, not many people know that sparkling wines should be chilled for three to four hours before serving, not just for an arbitrary 20 or 30 minutes. Serving at the right temperature will ensure the drinker gets the very best from the fizz.
Secondly, when opening a bottle, you don’t need to hear that loud bang. A gentle pop is much better! Hold the bottle in one hand, the cork in the other, and keep the former at a 45-degree angle. Gently twist the bottle, not the cork, and ease the latter out of the neck, holding onto it at all times.
Finally, when it comes to pouring, you want to do it in two stages to stop it from fizzing over. One simple hack to stop this happening is to pour fizz into a third of each flute, wait for a few seconds until the bubbles have gone down, then top it up.”
Just in time for raising a toast, we've rounded up the best Crémant for celebrating with. Luxury doesn’t get much more affordable.
Shop now
Gratien & Meyer Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé
Salmon-pink in the glass, this dazzling Crémant is as elegant and delicate as you’d expect, a combination of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc grapes making for fruity aromas, toasty notes and floral flavours. Utterly delish with seafood or simply as an aperitif.
Buy now £13.00, Tesco
Morrisons The Best Crémant de Limoux
Made with predominantly Chardonnay and aged for a minimum of 12 months, this Crémant de Limoux boasts all the biscuity richness and delicious creaminess of a Champagne, albeit at a fraction of the price. Savour its honey and apple blossom aromas and lemon curd flavours.
Buy now £11.00, Morrisons
ASDA Extra Special Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Hailing from the Alsace region of France, this Crémant – part of the premium Extra Special range at Asda – shimmers with pale-gold gorgeousness while subtle aromas of pear and apple make way for vivid flavours of zesty fruit. A lovely bubbly.
Buy now £9.00, ASDA
Arthur Metz Crémant d’Alsace Brut Magnum
A magnum (double the size of a standard bottle of wine) makes economical sense when you’re catering for a crowd, right? In which case, you could do worse than to splash the cash on this supersized beauty, luminous gold in colour with soft, fruity freshness. Go on – pop the cork.
Buy now £29.90, Amazon
Veuve Ambal Marisgny Crémant de Bourgogne Grand Cuvee Burgundy NV
The clue’s in the name with this one. Although not to be confused with Veuve Clicquot, Veuve Ambal Marisgny Crémant de Bourgogne isn’t far off with aromas of white flowers and pastries and flavours of exotic fruits and fresh citrus. Oh-so drinkable.
Buy now £27.00, Amazon
ASDA Crémant de Bourgogne Brut
A fine blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Gamay, this traditionally-produced sparkling from Burgundy is a multiple award-winner for good reason. Zesty and fresh with subtle notes of hazelnut, butter and almond. Lipsmackingly delicious.
Buy now £12.00, ASDA
Berry Bros. & Rudd Crémant de Limoux by Antech
This exquisite sparkling from esteemed wine merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd serves up elegant aromas of orchard fruit and honey spice with exotic fruits in the mouth and an impressive depth of flavour. Soft and drinkable, we rather love it as a stand-alone aperitif with a canapé or three before supper.
Buy now £14.95, Berry Bros. & Rudd
Sainsbury’s Crémant de Loire, Taste the Difference
Surprisingly complex for the price, this Crémant de Loire is made from mostly Chenin Blanc grapes supported by Chardonnay, resulting in a fruity and refreshing bubbly with flavours of peaches and honeysuckle. Cracking with fresh shellfish.
Buy now £12.00, Sainsbury’s
La Maison du Vin Crémant
Deliciously soft in texture with a clean and dry finish, La Maison du Vin Crémant – made from Chenin Blanc grapes – is just like Champagne but without the price tag. Stock up for those parties.
Buy now £12.75, The Co-op
Benjamin Darnault Vignerons Wife Crémant de Bourgogne Brut
A seriously classy fizz from Burgundy, winemaker Ben Darnault named this sparkling wine after his beloved wife – a lover of Crémant, no less – which serves up ripe lemon flavours. An anytime, anywhere kind of bottle.
Buy now £16.99, Naked Wines
Cave de Lugny Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs
Made from purely Chardonnay, this elegant Crémant is deliciously dry and full of rich, biscuity flavours. It’s made from 100 per cent Chardonnay grapes for that distinctive Champagne taste without breaking the bank.
Buy now £16.99, Waitrose
Baron de Ray Crémant de Bordeaux
There’s more to Bordeaux than Claret, as this stellar Crémant shows, made from Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Ugni Blanc and Merlot grapes to produce elegant citrus and almond notes.
Buy now £11.99, Majestic Wines
Platine Crémant de Loire Blanc Brut NV
Lively and fresh, this sublime Crémant combines Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc grapes to serve up flavours of apple, pear, citrus and lemongrass on the palate. The bright straw colour makes it look beautiful in the glass, too.
Buy now £17.99, The Wine Flyer
M&S Classics Crémant de Bourgogne Brut
Literally fizzing with floral aromas and citrus flavours, this sparkling wine from trusty M&S is oh-so refreshing and easy to drink, while being 2022 winner in the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Buy now £12.00, Ocado
Fortnum’s Crémant d’Alsace
Meticulously crafted with a mouthwatering blend of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris in the north-eastern region of France, this Crémant from Fortnum & Mason is creamy, complex and citrussy. The best kind of Cs.
Buy now £21.50, Fortnum’s
