Best Champagne alternatives in the UK
Champagne is the benchmark for sparkling wine, but at 40 to 60 pounds a bottle in a restaurant, the alternatives deserve serious consideration. Several styles of sparkling wine offer comparable quality at a fraction of the price.
Cremant
Cremant is sparkling wine made outside Champagne using the same method -- second fermentation in the bottle. Cremant d'Alsace, Cremant de Bourgogne, and Cremant de Loire are all made from serious grapes and offer genuine complexity. At 15 to 25 pounds they are among the best-value sparkling wines available.
English sparkling wine
English sparkling wine has established itself as a genuine Champagne alternative. The chalk soils of Sussex and Kent produce Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier with the same mineral, high-acid character as Champagne. Expect to pay 25 to 40 pounds.
Cava
Spanish Cava is made by the same method as Champagne and offers good value at 10 to 18 pounds. The character is earthier and less refined than Champagne or Cremant, but for a crowd or a casual occasion it is a practical choice.
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