YOU MAY HAVE realised that sparkling wine is no longer Champagne’s poor relation – it’s a drink that people are equally happy guzzling at a garden party as they are sipping at a posh dinner.
And – even better – sparkling wine is so tasty these days, hosts are more than happy to receive one.
The real difference between sparkling wine and Champagne is that sparkling wine needs to be made in the French region of Champagne to earn the moniker.
Thing is, there are some exciting sparkling wines made all over the world, from Italian prosecco and lambrusco to Spanish cava to French moussant or crémant to fruity Californian and even English sparkling wines.
While the cost of Champagne typically hovers somewhere between expensive and prohibitive, you can get a delicious sparkling wine for less than £20 – and sometimes, for less than £10. Red or rosé drinker? No problem – your favourite full-bodied wine comes in sparkling form, too.
Also, sparkling wine isn’t just having a moment when it comes to drinking it – collectors are starting to take interest. So start stocking up on your faves: sparkling wine is definitely trending for 2019, led by homegrown favourite, Nyetimber.
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1. Best sparkling crémant
Crémant is a type of sparkling wine from France, made in the ‘traditional’ method (like Champagne), in certain designated areas of the country, and typically it’s a subtler drink than Champagne, with a bit less sweetness. This bestseller from Aldi is a favourite for its ultra-light, refreshing flavour – it has fruit notes of apple and peach – and its seamless ability to do dinner or party.
People also love the ultra-affordable price.
- Exquisite Crémant D’Alsace, for £8.29 on Aldi – buy here
2. Best English sparkling wine
Nyetimber is one of the homegrown brands that’s put English sparkling wine on the map – and people can’t get enough of it. The West-Sussex produced Classic Cuvée wine at the heart of the range is a great starting point: beautifully packaged, it makes a gorgeous gift, although one sip and you’ll want your own bottle thanks to the light bubbles and citrus-meets-sweet almond, honey and baked apple flavours.
This reviewer sums it up perfectly: ‘This is an excellent sparkling fizz, it looks an expensive bottle and the taste does not disappoint – real proof that the English sparkling wines are as good as anything else.’
- (AD) Nyetimber Classic Cuvee Gift Boxed Sparkling Wine, 75 cl, for £36.99 on Amazon – buy here
3. Best sparkling cava
Produced in the same way as Champagne, Spanish cava typically has a drier taste. This award-winning cava from Campo Viejo gets its complex flavours from being oak-aged for a couple of years before it’s bottle-aged for another few years, and has distinct aromas of crushed apple, lemon pie and herb.
- (AD) Campo Viejo Gran Brut Reserva Cava, Spanish Sparkling and Fizzy Wine, 75 cl, Case of 6, for £66.69 on Amazon – buy here
4. Best sparkling red wine
Sparkling reds are an exciting space in the modern wine industry, ripe for experimentation and some phenomenal flavour combinations. Australia leads the way when it comes to innovative sparkling red wines, and this Sparkling Shiraz from Jacob’s Creek is a real favourite – it’s lighter than a typical red but still pairs well with meat or game (many enjoy it as the drink to accompany their Christmas turkey).
Fans love its full-bodied, slightly peppery berry flavours – they find them ‘gorgeous’. The secret is to serve it chilled.
- (AD) Jacobs Creek Sparkling Shiraz Non Vintage, 75 cl (Case of 3), for £31.17 on Amazon – buy here
5. Best sparkling rosé wine
An almost-equal blend of pinot noir and chardonnay, The Rhona is a five-star favourite sparkling wine with a glorious salmon shade and red berry flavours like cherry and cranberry – it’s made using South Africa’s version of the méthode traditionnelle, aged in the bottles for a sophisticated and refreshing flavour. At £10, the price is unbeatable.
‘This is as good as champagne, light and refreshing and so easy to drink. My new go to,’ says a fan.
- Graham Beck The Rhona Rosé NV – Case of 6, for £60 on M&S – buy here
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We’ve designed Sun Selects to help you to find the best products that won’t break the bank.
Fancy a nice glass to sip your sparkling wine from? Check out our guide to the best cheap Champagne flutes.
Enjoyed our roundup of the best sparkling wines? Then you might like our selection of proseccos, too.
This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.
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