Do you think Prosecco is a bit outdated? Here are some alternatives…

Happy first December: Santa Claus is dusting off the sleigh, the reindeer are getting fit and the corks are popping – ladies and gentlemen, the glittering season has officially begun!

But unfortunately, with the cost of pretty much everything seeming pretty damn expensive, enjoying a fountain full of free-flowing champagne glasses just doesn’t seem possible this party season. However, there is a wonderful effervescent alternative – namely not Start with the letter P…

Like many of my friends, I loved Prosecco, but I was just tired of it. I still enjoy the higher quality and more traditional Prosecco, which is still a real treat, but (unfortunately) I didn’t drink it. It was all about flutes of cheaper Prosecco, which used to seduce me with its easygoing, fresh and sweet charm. You know: the ones available in pubs and bars with a sky-high markup price…

But as with so many things, my tastes changed and I wanted something more – me wanted Sparkling wine. Unfortunately, my wishes didn’t come with a corresponding bank balance, which is why I was eternally grateful for the discovery of Crémant (which means “creamy” in French). With less overt sweetness than Prosecco – and more similar to the flavor spectrum of Champagne – I knew I had found a friend for life.

It should come as no surprise that the nation that gave birth to Champagne – France – is also responsible for a widely available budget alternative. And while we haven’t seen much of it on UK supermarket shelves, things have historically changed in recent years.

Domestically we are consuming more crémant than ever before and all major supermarkets are reporting a significant increase in sales. Sophie Hogg, Sainsbury’s category director for beers, wines and spirits, said ahead of the autumn/winter season that they expected crémant sales to rise by “20 per cent compared to last year”. And Waitrose champagne and sparkling wine buyer Alexandra Mawson recently said: “We have never seen Crémant sales as big as we are currently.”

I fully understand that it can be a little confusing many of crémants out there. In fact, there are eight regions in France where crémant is made: Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Département, Jura, Limoux, Loire and Savoie – who wants to join me on a road trip tour of them all?

But please don’t let the variety of names put you off, believe me, there is a lot to choose from and variety Good Thing. The fame of such a large number of growing regions means a wonderful selection of grape varieties. Why not try them all?

And unlike Prosecco, Crémant is also made here Exactly just like champagne. Prosecco goes through its secondary fermentation (that’s the part that creates the bubbles) in large stainless steel tanks – and is bottled immediately afterwards to preserve the fresh, primary fruit flavors.

Both Champagne and Crémant use the “traditional method”. This means that secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle – and the wine then ages on the lees (deposits of dead yeast that are far tastier than they sound, trust me) for another nine months or more. This aging process allows it to develop more nuanced aromas and flavors that go beyond pure fruit: think warm, cream-filled brioche and apricot Danish pastries alongside primary flavors of citrus and apple…

Well, you don’t always I need a reason to open a bottle of champagne (definitely not if we ever go out for drinks together!). But if so, then December is the right time to do it. We all need to find reasons to celebrate – and Christmas, whether it’s your mood or not, is a great celebration. Here’s my pick of the Créme de la Crémant that you can swap out if you’re craving something other than Prosecco:

Taste the Difference Crémant de Limoux NV, France

£12 Sainsbury’s (currently £11 with nectar) 12 per cent

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Made by a renowned producer, Paul Mas, this is a well-made and delicious wine. Think Danish pastry with pear drops and peach filling – it has great tartness and creamy, soft bubbles. Dom Perignon is credited with discovering the art of sparkling wine, but the monks in the monasteries of Limoux believe they were there first – either way, Limoux’s sparkling wines are simply magnificent.

Crémant du Jura, Domaine Jean-Louis Tissot NV, France

£18.50, Yapp brothers 12.5 percent

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Made by a small family business in the wild and beautiful Jura region of eastern France, this sparkling wine is made from 100 percent Chardonnay. It’s more similar in style to Champagne – if that’s what you’re looking for. I’m mesmerized by the lovely flavors of lemon curd and buttered toast, as well as hints of toasted almonds, all enveloped in vibrant acidity. It is a very elegant glass.

Specially selected Crémant De Loire NV, France

£8.99, Aldi (only in store) 12 percent

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Crémant de Loire is one of France’s most famous crémants and is based heavily on the wonderful Chenin Blanc grape – and I love it. This expression is like biting into a fresh, crisp green apple while enjoying a hint of invigorating citrus – the vibrant bubbles are just perfect for a party.

Louis Vallon Crémant De Bordeaux Blanc De Noirs NV, France

£14.75 (£12.50 with nectar) Sainsbury’s12 percent

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Bordeaux may be famous for its red wines, but it is a region that also produces delicious white, sweet wines And Sparkling wines. The “Blanc de Noirs” on the label indicates that it is made from red grapes (Merlot and Cabernet Franc), but because the juice spends no time on the skins, it has the visual appearance of a white wine. It’s really elegant, with fresh raspberries, ripe citrus and a warm buttery croissant snuggle. It has wonderful depth of flavor, racy acidity and persistent bubbles – and the bottle looks pretty snazzy too!