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Sparkling wine styles that taste like Champagne without the Champagne price!
Here are four Champagne alternatives that’ll blow your socks off whilst not costing you the earth🍾
Whilst most of us love a good sparkling wine, it has to be said the King, or Queen of fizz is undoubtedly Champagne. But with that comes a price tag. It might be OK to splash out for a birthday, or anniversary or any other celebratory occasion. However, for too many of us, the lavish pricing of the world's most famous fizz just isn't sustainable.
Here are four Champagne alternatives that’ll blow your socks off whilst not costing you the earth...
Crémant de Limoux/Blanquette de Limoux | Languedoc-Roussillon | France
From the south of France, Blanquette/Crémant de Limoux is made almost exclusively from one grape variety: Mauzac. Some say that the sparkling wines of Limoux were the first of their kind, predating even Champagne as the OG sparkling wine. Regardless, fizz from Limoux provides a staggering alternative to Champagne with some similarities. They are produced in the Traditional Method, and more modern styles even employ Chardonnay - one of the core Champagne varietals. You can find amazing sparkling wines from Limoux from £10-£15 / $20-$35. Bargain!
English Sparkling Wine | Various regions | UK
Is there really a better alternative to Champagne? The terroir of the UK is so similar to Reims, that even Taittinger and Pommery have bought up UK vineyards to establish overseas production. The Brits focus on the holy trinity of; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier to craft sparkling wine of insane value that’ll rub shoulders with most of Champagne big boys. Not the cheapest, you’d need to spend £28-£30 / $50 but that’ll get you the same value’s worth of Champagne quality.
Corpinnat | Penedès | Spain
Simply put: Cava on steroids. Corpinnat is a movement of super high-quality wine growers from Spain, who have had enough of the major Cava houses diluting and damaging the reputation of Spain’s national fizz. So they did what the Super Tuscans did and peeled away from the D.O., gave them the finger and set up their own clique. All fruit must be 100% organic, estate owned, hand-harvested and be aged for a minimum of 18 months. This is new wave fizz from Spain and will blow most entry-level Champagnes out of the water. £15-£20 / $25-$35 should get you going here. Outstanding value!
Tasmanian Sparkling Wine | Tasmania | Australia
Much like English sparkling wine, Tasmanian sparkling is widely considered by many to be one of the world's best Champagne alternatives. In fact, the demand is so high for Tassie fizz that it accounts for around 40% of the region's winey output. Made with the same finesse and techniques as Champagne (traditional method); once you taste a Tassie fizz, it’s easy to understand just why the wine world holds these wines in such high regard. This cool, maritime climate offers the perfect growing conditions for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that make them just perfect for sparkling wine production. You can find awesome Tassie sparkling wine for just under £20 / $35.
Not chasing the full Champagne shebang?
Drop the extra fancy comparisons and lean into pure, joyful fizz. These styles are lighter, simpler and seriously good at what they do.
Shop sparkling wines in the UK>>>
Prosecco | Veneto | Italy
If Champagne is tailored suiting, Prosecco is linen on holiday. Different grape (Glera), different method (Charmat), different personality. Expect lighter bubbles, softer acidity and fresh pear, apple, floral vibes. It’s not trying to be complex, it’s trying to be fun. And it nails it. Perfect for brunches, spritzes, park hangs and “just because” pours. You’ll find seriously solid bottles from £8–£14 / $14-$30. Easy, cheerful fizz.
Pétillant-Naturel (Pét Nat) | Various regions | France & beyond
Oldest sparkling method in the book, now the cool kid again. Bottled mid-ferment so the bubbles happen naturally, often cloudy, sometimes wild, always interesting. Lower pressure, softer sparkle, big personality. Expect crunchy fruit, savoury edges and a bit of funk depending on the maker. Not polished. Not predictable. Very drinkable. Great if you like your wine with texture and attitude. £15–£25 / $30-$50 gets you plenty of fun.
Cava | Catalonia | Spain
Traditional method, Champagne grapes (plus local heroes), but way friendlier on the wallet. Cleaner and drier than Prosecco, more structured than Pét Nat. Citrus, apple, toast, proper fizz credentials. It doesn’t always get the hype, but the value is ridiculous. Everyday sparkling that still feels like you made an effort. £10–£18 / $20-$35 is the sweet spot.
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