MOVE over Moet and say goodbye to the Bollinger.
Savvy shoppers wanting the Champagne lifestyle on a smaller budget are popping corks on bottles of a cheaper type of bubbly called Cremant.
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Sales of the lower-priced French fizz, which is made in the same way as champers but produced outside of the official region, are booming – with demand soaring by a huge 51 per cent.
Drinks expert Helena Nicklin gives us her selection of supermarket Cremants, along with her ratings, that all taste like they could cost twice the price.
Specially Selected Cremant d’Alsace: 3/5
Aldi, £7.99
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CREMANT is the fabulous fizz style that is giving us another alternative to sweet and simple Prosecco.
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Also replacing sparklers like Champagne, a bottle is at least half the price of big-brand bubbles such as Moet and Veuve Clicquot, yet it is produced by the same method.
Alsace makes gorgeously round styles of Cremant, often thanks to the addition of a splash of Pinot Blanc.
This one is dry and easy-drinking with notes of yellow apple and pastry. It could be fuller-bodied but it is seriously cheap.
Good for bulk-buying for toasting at parties.
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Jean Cornelius Cremant Alsace: 4/5
Lidl, £8.49
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DISCERNING drinkers are parking Prosecco and turning to Cremant to sip a drier style of sparkling.
It is one that has got more going on in the flavour department and is still relatively cheap.
Representing great value, this one has subtle notes of strawberry and lemon, and is balanced by a saline, savoury tang.
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A good foodie fizz, it will go well paired with smoked salmon blinis or any salty bread snack.
All that in your flute for a third of the price of most Champagnes.
Maison de la Rougerie Brut Cremant de Bordeaux: 3/5
£9.50, Iceland
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ICELAND’S own-brand classic is a favourite with shoppers.
This is because it over-delivers a cork-popping bottle of bubbly year after year for a price tag that remains under a tenner.
Although it is always made in France, the Cremant style comes from nine other designated wine regions around the country.
They are not classed geographically as Champagne, so some may perceive them as less “sexy”.
Perfectly fine sipped solo but my tip would be to try this one in an awesome Kir Royale.
Cremant de Bourgogne Brut: 5/5
£12, Asda
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BUBBLES from Burgundy like these belters usually have a lot of Chardonnay grapes, which makes them particularly close to the “official” Champagne style.
Expect notes of ripe melon and brioche and a fuller-body than some Cremants.
A bottle of this is well worth the price tag.
And it is still less than a third of the price of the popular but expensive Moet.
Great to enjoy alone – or why not get a stock in ahead of a special family occasion?
The Best Cremant De Limoux Rosé: 4/5
£12.50, Morrisons
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SUPERMARKET own-brand bottles of bubbles can pack an exceptional punch for price and quality – and there is a reason Morrisons still carry this line.
Limoux is a French sparkling wine area that predates Champagne.
Its pink wines – such as this one – tend to be cool, crisp and dry but with a decent dollop of ripe melon and baked strawberry fruit.
Delicious enjoyed in the sunshine on a warm summer day, perhaps with a side of juicy strawberries.
Gratien & Meyer Cremant De Loire Brut Rosé: 3/5
£12.50, Tesco
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CREMANT from France’s Loire Valley is often very Chenin Blanc heavy – which in technical terms means it can be a tad thin and acidic if you drink it alone.
The good news is that this rosé version is more palate-friendly than many others, with its splash of Pinot and Cabernet Franc darker grapes giving it a red apple tang.
Very pretty and a great one for mixing Champagne cocktails such as Mimosas when you want decent bubbles but don’t want to waste very pricey wine by diluting it.
Louis Bouillot Cremant De Bourgogne Brut: 2/5
£13.50, Sainsbury’s
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ANOTHER Bourgogne beauty (that’s French for Burgundy).
Louis Bouillot is a classic name in the wine world.
The price of a bottle of these stalwart bubbles has not changed much in ten years, which is no reflection on the quality of the fizz.
Decent enough to drink, it is well balanced with tangy fruit flavours.
A flute of this will be fine on its own as well as with food.
It is just a pity it is not all that inspiring for the price, which is at the higher end of the Cremant scale.
Louis Vallon Cremant de Bordeaux Blanc De Noirs: 5/5
£13, down from £14.75, Sainsbury’s
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WHEN it comes to packaging power, this bottle of quality Bordeaux bubbly really knocks it out of the park.
The modern, elegant and dark glass, along with the metallic words on the label, hint at the brooding red fruit and brioche style of fizz inside.
This one offers value, label appeal and flavour, ticking all the boxes and still coming in at an excellent price – even more so right now because it is on offer.
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This classy Cremant makes the perfect gift or would be ideal for summer celebrations.
Grab it while it is still on the supermarket shelves at this steal of a price.
