Once a niche choice enjoyed only by the most informed sparkling wine enthusiasts, crémant has now become a mainstream favourite among British drinkers. This dry and budget-friendly French premium sparkling wine is the perfect alternative for those avoiding the sickly-sweet taste of Prosecco and the steep price tag of champagne.
Why Crémant Is Gaining Popularity
Crémant is produced using the same traditional method as champagne but hails from several French regions, including the Loire Valley, Alsace, and Burgundy. While champagne brands like Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot cost around £45 to £50, crémant typically ranges from £8 to £18. In a country still grappling with the cost-of-living crisis, consumers are seeking quality at lower prices, and sales data reflects this shift.
Supermarket Sales Figures
According to new Tesco sales data from Dunnhumby, crémant sales at the supermarket rose by 73% in 2025, while exports to the UK have surged by a fifth. Waitrose has witnessed a 63% increase in crémant sales compared to the same period last year. Specific products like the £15.50 Prince Alexandre Crémant de Loire and the Cave de Lugny Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs have recorded growth of 89% and 106%, respectively.
Expert Insights
Award-winning wine writer Helena Nicklin explained the reasons behind the boom: 'Prosecco democratised sparkling wine; we loved that it was cheaper than champagne. But then we realised that the DOC stuff we get in the UK is simple and sweet. People were craving something a little bit drier, leaning more towards the champagne style, but without the champagne price, and crémant absolutely fits that bracket.' She added, 'You can find a good one for £12, sometimes £10, which is a hell of a lot cheaper than a branded champagne.'
Denis Couralt, director of crémant at Les Grands Chais de France, told trade publication The Grocer: 'It's the ideal purchase for the current market: it feels like champagne, but it's priced for everyday use. We're seeing growth not only in the core appellations but also across lesser-known regions, driving both trade-up and repeat purchases.'
English Sparkling Wine on the Rise
Despite France's centuries-long dominance in the sparkling wine market, England is emerging as a strong competitor. Once dismissed as inferior, English sparkling wine is now in high demand, with brands like Chapel Down gaining popularity. This shift is largely due to global warming, which has made England's climate more suitable for grape growing.
Michael Kennedy, CEO of English sparkling wine brand Roebuck Estates, said: 'For typically cooler countries, such as England, global warming has actually resulted in temperatures better suited to growing grapes than they were 20 or 30 years ago. In the southeast of England, average temperatures have risen by approximately 1.4 degrees since the 1980s, meaning we now have a very good climate for growing grapes, particularly for sparkling wine.'
However, Kennedy noted the broader impact: 'Looking more broadly, global warming is a real concern and has had a significant impact on wine production around the world. For some hotter regions, they are starting to become too hot, which impacts grape growing... meaning some traditional wine-producing areas now find it more challenging to grow grapes of the right quality.'
Challenging Champagne's Prestige
The main obstacle for UK winemakers is changing consumer attitudes hooked on champagne's prestige. Cherie Spriggs, head winemaker at English sparkling wine brand Nyetimber, said: 'England is still a newcomer in winemaking, and regions like Champagne are better known and therefore perhaps considered safer by a lot of people. At Nyetimber, we prioritise quality over everything else, and we tend to win people over simply by encouraging them to taste our products. Then, they often return for another glass, or bottle.'
