Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and what better way to mark the occasion than by popping open a bottle of bubbly? But celebrating Valentine’s Day can already be costly and a single bottle of Champagne can out price dinner and dessert! Instead of opting for cheap Champagne, what about trying an affordable Champagne alternative? Sparkling wine is made all over the world and some are even comparable to Champagne.
But first why is Champagne so expensive?
While the word Champagne is often used as a synonym for any sparkling wine, true Champagne is only from the Champagne Region in Northern France and must adhere to very strict standards of production known as Méthode Traditionnelle, the traditional method (also known as the champagne method). This production method is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Since Champagne is only made from grapes grown in one small area of the world, the supply is limited and the demand high.
If you are willing to forego true “Champagne”, there are plenty of affordable Champagne alternatives from around the world made in a similar fashion but are available at a fraction of the cost. Note: all of the suggestions are alternatives for brut champagne.
Crémant – French Sparkling Wine from Outside of Champagne
You don’t have to leave France to find a cheaper sparkling wine option. Crémant is French sparkling wine from outside of the Champagne Region that is also made in the traditional method. The word Crémant itself is French for “creamy” and Crémant is a great alternative to Champagne and much more affordable.
Crémant may be more affordable than Champagne, but the production of this wine still follows strict rules and regulations. All Crémant has Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) status (as does Champagne.) AOC is a protected geographical classification in France that also contains rules and standards for making a particular wine. It’s what makes a Champagne a Champagne or a Bordeaux a Bordeaux.
There are eight appellations in France for Crémant and each region’s rules vary slightly.
- Crémant d’Alsace
- Crémant de Bourgogne
- Crémant de Bordeaux
- Crémant de Die
- Crémant du Jura
- Crémant de Limoux
- Crémant de Loire
- Crémant de Savoie
Champagne is predominately made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, although a total of 8 varieties are allowed (Voltis was added to the list in 2022.) The grapes used in Crémant production vary for each of the eight regions.
For example, Crémant de Bordeaux is made from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grapes, while Crémant de Bourgogne is from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes (two of the same varieties that are in Champagne.) So while you may not get the same notes of green apple, you will still have the brioche, yeast and bread notes that aged sparkling wine does.
While Crémant is made in the Traditional Method as Champagne is, not all Crémant is aged as long as Champagne. Crémant de Bordeaux only requires 12 months of aging whereas Champagne is 15 months.
This difference in grape varieties and aging does alter the aromas and flavor profile of Crémant, so you may want to try a variety of Crémant to see which appellation you like best. The price for a bottle of Crémant varies depending on the appellation and aging but is generally far more affordable than Champagne.
Cava – Sparkling Wine from Spain Made in the Traditional Method
Cava is a sparkling wine from Spain that is made using the traditional method. The word cava itself means “cave” in Spanish and refers to the caves or cellars where the wine is aged. 95% of Cava production is centered in the Penedès region of Catalonia in Northeastern Spain, just outside of Barcelona.
Spain has not been producing sparkling wine as long as France has. The first sparkling wine in Spain was produced in 1872 by Josep Raventós who actually learned the Traditional Method while in France. (Fun fact: the Raventós family still makes wine to this day.)
Cava is made from a blend of native Spanish Grapes. The most common varieties in Cava are Macabeu, Parellada, and Xarello, but international varieties such as Chardonnay can also be used. The difference in grape varieties does change the flavor profile when compared to Champagne.
Cava has “Denominación de Origen” (DO) status which is Spain’s Geographical classification system (similar to French AOC regulations). Cava can only be from a specific region and producers must follow strict rules and regulations in order to produce true Cava.
Cava is categorized based on the amount of time it is aged:
- Cava de Guarda (9 months +)
- Cava Reserva (18 months +)
- Cava Gran Reserva (30 months+)
- Cava de Paraje Calificado. (36 months+)
Cava may seem an inexpensive alternative when compared to Champagne, but be mindful of the length the wine has been aged. If you want a Cava that has been aged a comparable amount of time to Champagne, then look for a Cava Reserva.
Franciacorta – Italy’s Other Sparkling Wine
When most people think of Italian sparkling wine they think of Prosecco. However, Italy also produces another less well-known (at least in brunch circles) sparkling wine called Franciacorta.
What is the difference between Prosecco and Franciacorta? Price is one of the factors as Prosecco is generally cheaper than Franciacorta or any other sparkling wines. Besides the price, the differences between the two include the varieties of grapes used and the geographical region it is produced in, but the biggest difference is the method of production.
Prosecco is produced using the Charmat or tank method. The wine goes through secondary fermentation, where the CO2 bubbles are produced, in a large closed tank. The wine then is filtered, the dosage is added (this determines the sweetness) and finally the wine is bottled without additional aging. This results in a younger wine with lower atmospheric pressure (aka it’s not as bubbly.)
Franciacorta, Cava, and Champagne on the other hand are all produced in the traditional method. The wine is bottled and then goes through secondary fermentation in the individual bottle. While in the bottle the wine is additionally aged on the lees for a set period. This results in a higher atmospheric pressure (aka it is fizzier.)
(This is an overly simple explanation and Wine Folly has a great overview of the different methods of sparkling wine production.)
Franciacorta has Italian DOCG status (a regulated Italian geographical classification system similar to the French AOC and Spanish DO system) meaning it has to follow strict regulations that stipulate the types of grapes allowed and the aging rules. It is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc (known in Italy as Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco), and Erbamat. The first three are the same grapes varieties allowed in Champagne.
While Franciacorta is a less expensive alternative to Champagne, it is more difficult to find in the US. Big box wine stores BevMo and Total Wine carry a few different Franciacorta labels and fine wine stories import it as well.
Traditional Method Sparkling Wine from California
California has the most wineries and produces the most wine domestically, including over three hundred wineries that make sparkling wine in a variety of styles.
California makes some excellent sparkling wines made using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the two most common grape varieties in Champagne. Several of the large French Champagne Houses have set up operations in California including Moet Chandon (Chandon), G.H. Mumm (Mumm Napa), and Taittinger (Domaine Carneros.) Other American wineries also produce fantastic sparkling wine made in the traditional method. Look for wines that source their grapes from cooler climates in California such as Anderson Valley in Mendocino and Carneros in Napa and Sonoma Counties.
Unlike the other countries on this list, the US does not classify wines in the same way as France, Italy or Spain does. The US does have a geographical classification system controlled by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau with designated areas known as the American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). This designation does not correlate with wine styles or winemaking techniques. AVAs are solely geographical. While there are many federal regulations regarding winemaking, bottle labeling regulations do not require aging times or methods of production on the label.
As a result, you will not be able to tell how long a California Sparkling Wine was aged or the method it was produced by just by looking at the label (unless of course, the producer decided to include that information as some do). A sparkling wine from the US could have been produced in the traditional method or using the tank method like a Prosecco.
If you are looking at a US wine label, look for the words “traditional method” in English or French. While bottles may be labeled “brut” or “extra dry” this refers to the sweetness or dryness of the wine. A simple google search on a wine you are interested in can answer your questions as many wineries have additional information on their websites. Look for the trade section on the website for facts on production and aging.
Keep this in mind when you find inexpensive sparkling wines from California for a fraction of the cost of others on the shelf.
Cap Classique – South Africa’s Sparkling Wine
Called Méthode Cap Classique, Sparkling Wine was first produced in South Africa in 1971. The majority of South Africa’s vineyards are located in the Western Cape near the coast. Stellenbosch has the most Cap Classique producers and is the second oldest wine-producing area in the country.
The Cap Classique Producers Association determines the regulations related to Cap Classique wines but does not limit the grape varieties that can be used. The first Cap Classique wine was made from Chenin Blanc, but today most are made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier (the same three that are included in Champagne.)
Cap Classique wines must age on the lees for a minimum of 12 months which is comparable to the regulations related to some Crémant, wines such as Crémant de Bordeaux.
Cap Classique wines can be harder to find in the US but are another affordable Champagne alternative.
Bubbles For All Budgets: Affordable Champagne Alternatives
Crémant, Cava, Franciacorta, sparkling wine from California, and Cap Classique offer interesting variations on traditional method sparkling wine with different grapes in different regions. While nothing can replace true Champagne from the Champagne region, all of these affordable alternatives to cheap dry Champagne and offer plenty of bubbles to fit all budgets.
Looking for reviews on some of the sparkling wines mentioned in this post? Checkout my review of Graham Beck Cap Classique, Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad Cava, Caraccioli California Brut Sparkling Wine, and Celene Opale Crémant de Bordeaux Blanc de Blancs NV.
Sources and Additional Resources
- Cabrillo College Wine Program, Courses: California Wine, French Wine, and Italian Wine
Instructors: Deborah Parker Wong and Fred Swan - D.O. Cava
- Comite Champagne
- Cap Classique Producers
- Winefolly’s Guide to how Sparkling Wine is Made
