Prosecco has long been the nation’s favourite fizz but a cut-price alternative to Champagne is undergoing a revival, and it could snatch the Italian sparkling wine’s crown.
Sales of French Crémant have rocketed in the last two years at many major British supermarkets, according to buyers.
The French sparkling wine is said to be drier than Prosecco, and both cheaper and less bubbly than Champagne. As a bonus, several supermarkets sell bottles from about £8.
Figures show that exports of Crémant de Loire wine have risen by 34 per cent in 2017, while the Wine and Spirit Trade Association said that 3.7 million bottles sold in the UK last year.
Crémants, which can hail from seven regions in France, is made in the same way as Champagne
Waitrose, which sells a Crémant de Limoux for £8.99, says sales of its bottles have risen by 72 per cent last year compared to 2016, with sales up by 61 per cent so far this year.
Sainsbury’s also reports that sales of its £11 Crémant de Loire have soared by 11 per cent in the last year.
Crémants can hail from seven regions in France, including the Loire Valley, and it is made in the same way as Champagne, with the second fermentation occurring in the bottle.
Because of this, many people describe the taste of a Crémant as very similar to Champagne.
Claire Duchene, communication director for Loire Valley Wines, a trade body which represents wines from the region, commented: ‘We’ve really seen a sharp increase in exports of Crémant de Loire to the UK in the past year.
Sainsbury’s sells an £11 Crémant de Loire and the supermarket has seen sales rise dramatically in the last year (left). Waitrose has also seen sales rise of its Crémants, including of its £8.99 Crémant de Loire de Limoux (right)
‘We’re not surprised at all as this sparkling wine offers UK consumers a quality French sparkling wine.
‘We predict Crémant de Loire is likely to be one of the bestsellers on the UK market in the next couple of years.’
Supermarket buyers say that the popularity of Prosecco means that Brits are now hunting for more alternative sparkling wines, which has led to a boom in sales of Crémant.
Louise Loveder, buyer for sparkling wines at Sainsbury’s, said: ‘The alternative sparkling wine market is really booming. Whilst Prosecco continues to be a popular tipple of choice, Brits’ thirst for fizz has opened their eyes to the breadth of sparkling wines out there.
‘Our Sainsbury’s Crémant de Loire is a popular alternative, with sales rising over 70 per cent in the last year alone. With this in mind, we have recently launched it in magnum format for customers who wish to go supersized.’
Rebecca Hull, master of wine and Champagne and sparkling wine buyer at Waitrose said: ‘Traditionally, sparkling wines and Champagne were seen as the drink for special occasions, but now it’s proving popular all year round thanks to fizz fans looking for a wider range of sparkling wines that are not only great quality, but affordable too.
‘Crémant is a great alternative as it’s well-priced and well-made. The fizz is made using the traditional Champagne method and over the last few month’s it has been steadily increasing in popularity.’
She added: ‘We expect Crémant to be one of our customers’ favourite fizz’s over the summer months.’