CHRISTMAS ON A BUDGET: WHAT TO REPLACE CHAMPAGNE WITH?

Between gifts, decorations, meals, and wine, expenses tend to pile up during the holiday season.

It’s a time when we prefer to enjoy ourselves with loved ones without thinking too much about our wallets! Unfortunately, we all have a budget to stick to, and sometimes we have to make compromises, such as skipping the champagne… However, rest assured, it’s entirely possible to impress your guests without splurging on champagne! Follow our guide to discover the best alternatives to champagne for a Christmas meal on a budget.

Cheap Champagne: The Mistake to Avoid

The most common mistake when on a tight champagne budget is to buy a low-priced champagne! You’ve probably heard comments like “I don’t drink champagne because it gives me a headache” or “champagne gives me heartburn.” These misconceptions often stem from poor experiences with low-quality champagnes.

While there are great value-for-money champagnes available, a good brut champagne typically costs around 20 euros for a 75 cl bottle. When a bottle of champagne is priced too low, there’s often a catch. Therefore, if your budget doesn’t stretch to a well-known champagne house, consider a good crémant at a more affordable price, made using the traditional method. Indeed, wine enthusiasts will tell you that it’s better to have a good crémant than a bad champagne! This way, you can still add some sparkle to your Christmas meal without breaking the bank.

Which Crémant to Choose as a Champagne Substitute for Christmas?

Crémants, provided they are made using the traditional method (also known as the champenoise method), are sparkling wines that follow the same production process as champagne.

The main differences between crémant and champagne are:

The production region (only Champagne produces Champagne);
The grape varieties used can vary by region depending on the terroir;
The minimum aging time on lees is slightly longer for champagne.

Many French (and foreign) regions produce crémant, but the best crémants to serve at a Christmas meal are certainly from AOC Crémant de Loire, AOC Crémant d’Alsace, or AOC Crémant de Bourgogne. If you want to stay with the characteristic notes of a blanc de blancs champagne made from chardonnay, opt for a crémant de Bourgogne with acacia flower notes and fine bubbles. To switch up from chardonnay, enjoy the delicate pear and dried fruit aromas of a crémant de Loire made from 100% Chenin. Finally, if you prefer rosé, go for a crémant d’Alsace rosé with citrus and red fruit aromas and a fresh palate.

Are you looking for a crémant or champagne for your Christmas meal on a budget? At Avenue des Vins, we offer a unique selection of red wine, white wine, rosé wine, Crémant, and Champagne directly from the estates. We carefully select the best cuvées and appellations to complement all your festive meals.