My wife presently drinks sparklers (rose or blanc)to the exclusion of all other wines. Being from PA, and dining mostly at BYOBs, I am on the lookout for reasonably priced ($25-$30 or less)and readily available Champagne alternatives, since I bring a bottle of sparkling wine almost every time we go to dinner.I have come to like Roederer Anderson Valley, Gruet, Pinon and Huet sparkling Vouvrays and several Cremant de Juras. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Of course we still pop a bottle of the real thing from time to time.
Lucien Albrecht Cremant de Alsace
Any number of Cava’s from Spain.
Loire Valley sparkling wines
Prosecco’s from Italy.
If you are looking for specific inexpensive sparkling wine recommendations, there are may threads on the topic.
I’ve really enjoyed both cremants from Clotilde Davenne. I heard about them in an email ad from Lyle Fass @ Grapes in NY, but they’re in the PA system.
http://www.lcbapps.lcb.state.pa.us/webapp/product_management/psi_ProductLocation_inter.asp?cdeNo=36107
http://www.lcbapps.lcb.state.pa.us/webapp/product_management/psi_ProductLocation_inter.asp?cdeNo=39707
Check out L. Mawby (Northern Michigan). I’ve been a long fan of their Cremant Classic.
I have had good experiences with Cava.
Have also enjoyed (in addition to the CA Roederers you pointed out) several Mumm and Iron Horse sparklers.
Cremant de Bourgogne - from a number of producers - the best values in bubbly today -
Bailly-Lapierre is probably my favorite producer - they produce a wonderful 100% Pinot Noir Rose as well -
Charles Bove Touraine (Loire Valley) is very good rose bubbly for right around $20 in ATL dollars.
This might already be one of your Cremant du Juras, but I love Tissot’s regular Brut and (especially) Indigene. They are two of the very few under $30 wines that I consider reasonable alternatives to Champagne in terms of providing the kind of complexity I’m looking for in that style. Roger Goulart Reserva Cava as well.
Also, I’m glad to see someone else out there drinking as much or maybe even more bubbly than I do. It really is the most versatile food wine.
Argyle in Oregon makes a killer $25 bubbly
Readily available something like the Argyle or Scharffenberger from Cali.
I’ve seen some decent Franciacorta (Italy) for $20-$30.
Schramsberg, J, Domaine Carneros, Soter, Roederer, and the afformentioned Argyle.
huge +1 but doubt PA sees it. For others interested they use the yeast from their Vin de Paille for the secondary fermentation. One caveat, I have had ones from one batch that under went another fermentation in the bottle after disgorgement. I didn’t dislike it, just weird…
Ferrari Trento - all of their bottlings outperform at their price
Rotari Trento - same as Ferrari but less expensive
Contadi Costaldi Franciacorte - NV brut is great, the vintage Saten (~$40) outperforms many vintage Champagnes I’ve had
Roederer Estate l’Ermitage - Vintage offering from CA that competes with many Champagnes at the same price
My best bang-for-the-buck is Roederer Estate NV Anderson Valley Brut retailing at $23. You can find it for less than $20, but as always, in PA who the hell knows? lol
I tried Giacosa’s Spumante last week and was impressed, though I’m not sure whether it meets your price point.
i’ll second the tissot
Shop hard and you will find good champagne below $30. Piper was $20 here around Christmas; Roederer can be found below $30 off and on. There are several other good champagnes to be found at that price point.
This Crémant was new to me. I thought it was yummy. NV Jaffelin Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé, France, Burgundy, Crémant de Bourgogne - CellarTracker They have a blanc too but I haven’t tried it. Both sub $15 which I like too!
Jason
In case you don’t click, it is the Jaffelin NV Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rose.
J