With supermarket shelves bursting with sparkling newcomers, our wine expert sorts the gimmicks from the gems — all while keeping an eye on value for money.
A sparkling surge: New fizz on the shelves
If you’ve shopped for sparkling wine recently, you’ve probably noticed a wave of newcomers shaking up the prosecco and crémant aisles. From Australia’s Strathbogie Ranges to Argentina’s Famatina Valley and Italy’s Lake Garda, new bubbly stars are popping up everywhere. This booming interest is no surprise: crémant sales alone have jumped by 19% at Waitrose compared to last year, and sparkling wines in general are enjoying a global surge in popularity.
As a self-confessed crémant enthusiast, I approached these new entrants with some suspicion — after all, novelty isn’t always synonymous with quality. Supermarkets are clearly responding to soaring demand by expanding their sparkling wine offerings, looking for exciting and affordable options to fill out their shelves. Happily, I discovered that some of these newcomers genuinely deliver, especially if you’re hunting for great fizz without breaking the bank.
The charm of crémant: Elegance beyond champagne
Crémant is enjoying a renaissance, with an increasingly diverse range now available that makes choosing a bit more complex but infinitely more rewarding. If you haven’t yet dipped your toes into crémant, I recommend starting with crémant d’Alsace. This style is now widely available across major supermarkets like Asda and Waitrose, and it’s consistently delicious.
Each crémant region has its own permitted grape varieties, adding character and variety. In Alsace, expect blends featuring pinot blanc, riesling, and pinot gris. Pinot blanc and riesling tend to bring refreshing crispness, while pinot gris offers subtle floral notes reminiscent of meadow flowers. This regional diversity makes crémant an endlessly fascinating and versatile choice — all while offering a luxurious alternative to champagne at a fraction of the cost.
Discovering affordable fizz: Hidden gems in the supermarket aisles
Among the alternative sparkling wines, one that has genuinely impressed me is arriving soon at Asda: the Wine Atlas Garda Sparkling NV from Italy, priced at just £6.97. Unlike many budget fizz options that veer toward overly sweet or artificial aromas, this wine smells like authentic wine that just happens to be sparkling.
Made from garganega grapes — the same varietal used in Soave — it offers a light, lemony, stony profile that makes it perfect for casual sipping on a sunny afternoon. Think of it as a sparkling Soave, ideal for pavement cafés or a relaxed garden gathering. It launches on 30 June, so mark your calendar if you want to try something refreshingly different at a very modest price.
Already available for this bank holiday weekend is Toast & Honey Brut NV from South Africa, another sparkling that has shattered my skepticism. While I find the still versions of Toast & Honey wines too sweet, this brut iteration is a winner. Its honeyed, biscuity flavors complement the sparkling style beautifully, making it a clever and satisfying option at around £15 (or less if you catch the mixed case discount).
Top picks from the crémant world
If you want to explore crémants that balance quality and value, these selections are sure to impress:
Taste the Difference Crémant de Limoux NV, France (£12, Sainsbury’s): This creamy and biscuity crémant, made from chardonnay, pinot noir, and chenin blanc, delivers luxurious mouthfeel at an affordable price.
Cave de Turckheim Organic Crémant d’Alsace NV, France (£15 or £11.25 in mixed six, Waitrose): Aromatic with a brioche-like texture, this blend of 60% pinot blanc and 40% pinot gris is dry, fresh, and a recent addition to Waitrose shelves.
Bouvet Blanc de Blancs Crémant de Loire 2022 (£16 or £13 in mixed six, Majestic): A bright and zesty option with lovely finesse, made predominantly from chenin blanc with a touch of chardonnay.
Château Bauduc Blanc de Blancs Crémant de Bordeaux 2020 (£16.50 per bottle when bought by the case at Château Bauduc): An elegant, savoury crémant crafted from hand-picked sémillon, offering notes of lemon shortbread and a perfect match for asparagus.
The allure of alternative bubbles
Looking beyond crémant, here are some alternative sparkling wines worth exploring:
Von der Land Riesling 2024, Austria (£11 or £10 in mixed six, Majestic): Technically still, but with enough spritz to satisfy your bubble cravings. It’s crisp, limey, and bright — perfect for fans of zesty wines.
Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Tilimuqui Sparkling 2024, Argentina (£9.50): Made from torrontés grapes, this floral and fruity fizz offers aromas of fresh-cut roses and grapes, an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
Fowles Are You a Game? Sparkling NV, Australia (£15 or £11.25 in mixed six, Waitrose): Tank-fermented like prosecco, this fresh, light vermentino sparkler brings notes of meadow grass, yellow citrus, and red apples.
The Society’s Saumur Brut NV, France (£10.76, The Wine Society): A consistent favorite for value, this blend of chenin blanc and chardonnay delivers orchard fruit flavors and a lighter style than many crémants.
Final fizz thoughts
The sparkling wine scene has never been more exciting — with a wealth of styles, regions, and price points to explore. Whether you’re a seasoned crémant fan or just curious to try something new, there are plenty of options that combine great taste with excellent value.
For your next bank holiday celebration or casual get-together, consider reaching beyond prosecco. Seek out crémants from Alsace or Limoux, or give a new alternative sparkling a try — you might just discover your new favorite fizz without blowing your budget. And keep an eye out for the upcoming Wine Atlas Garda Sparkling, a true hidden gem that promises to bring a fresh and affordable sparkle to the party.
