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If you enjoy Champagne, but not its price, sommelier Rachael Bovard, also a BRIGHT editor, has some suggestions.
Outside of Champagne, the French make a lot of sparkling wine using the meticulous méthode traditionnelle process of Champagne – but for half the cost of Champagne.
Ms. Bovard advises to look for “crémant” on the label:
Crémant denotes a sparkling wine made in the traditional method, usually with grapes indiginous to the region. I love the sparkling wines of Alsace — Crémant d’Alsace, made with Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, among other grapes — so much that I featured it at my wedding. Crémant de Loire, out of the Loire Valley, is usually made with Chenin Blanc. And Crémant de Bourgogne is Burgundy’s sparkling wine, usually made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, but can also use Aligoté, Gamay, Melon de Bourgogne and Pinot Blanc to make white and rosé sparklers. A drinkable feast!
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