If you want to drink French fizz then Cremant de Loire is often a cheaper and tastier alternative to Champagne. Made in the same way as Champagne, but from the Loire region which is further south than Champagne, the fizz still has similar apple and white bread flavours but is often more satisfying and fruitier. The use of the Chenin Blanc grape variety, rather than Chardonnay, has a lot to do with this and if you seek out still white wines made with Chenin Blanc (many from South Africa) you’ll see just how tasty wines made with this can be.
