The Best French Sparkling Wines This Year

No winemaking country makes sparkling wine like France. From Champagne to Crémant and everything in between, there’s no doubt there’s quality here, and it has been consistently on the highest level for centuries now.

Of course, the wine world is constantly evolving, and that goes for sparkling wine as well. Here are the best French sparkling wines this year, and there’s something for every palate and budget. Fizzy wine is just exciting, and there’s always a good reason to pop open a bottle of ‘liquid stars’. See if your favourite sparkling wine made the list!

1. Casters Liebart Tete De Cuvée Rene Marcel, Champagne

Of course, Champagne tops our list for the best French sparkling wine. The region sets the bar high for the rest of the wine world when it comes to bubbles. And although there are dozens of worthy wines to top our list, we’re going for the fantastic Casters Liebart Tete De Cuvée Rene Marcel, an 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay blend made with base wines from the vintages 2015, 2016 and 2017. Full-bodied and nuanced, this is world-class Champagne up there with the finest Tête de Cuvées.

2. Cattin Sauvage Brut, Crémant d’Alsace

This artisan producer near Colmar has 300 years of winemaking history, and their dry white wines are legendary. The domain also makes one good Crémant made with 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay and ages it for up to 15 months for a complex bouquet and an intriguing palate. Flowers, golden apples and brioche brim from the glass over a refreshing, dry palate with a fantastic length. This Crémant is at a Champagne level, making it a great buy. Alsace’s Crémant is finally gaining the recognition it deserves — these are amongst the most delicate sparklers on earth!

3. Dampt Freres Brut, Crémant De Bourgogne

The Chablis Domaine, run by Eric and Emmanuel Dampt, is a pioneer in sustainable winemaking in the area, and in such prestigious terroir, they make fantastic Chardonnay and sparkling wine. Dampt Frere’s Crémant is made with 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay and it’s beautifully citrusy but has red fruit scents in the background, making it an intriguing sparkling wine. This one is a fantastic apéritif thanks to its piercing acidity that awakens your appetite, and it’s a great conversation starter as well. Crémant De Bourgogne from the region’s northern vineyards is undoubtedly superb. This is particularly suitable for a fine-dining table, as the flavors won’t overwhelm the flavor in even the most delicate preparations.

4. Chateau De Bonhoste B De Bonhoste White, Crémant De Bordeaux

The unique blend of 70% Sémillon, 30% Ugni Blanc makes this Crémant De Bordeaux a refreshing take on France’s sparkling wines, often based on Chardonnay. It comes without saying, in the hands of Sylvaine and Yannick Fournier, and with the capability of the team at the Saint-Émilion estate, this sparkling wine is of the highest quality. Fruit-forward and slightly nutty, the wine is well-aged, and the dry palate is incredibly attractive, especially if enjoyed with oily fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel or sardines. Crémant De Bordeaux is not to be underestimated.

5. Casters Liebart Rosé, Champagne

The 5th generation winemakers behind Casters Lebart made it to the list for a second time for their robust rosé with the silkiest palate and finest bubble streams. Made with an unusual blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, this fantastic take on the rosé style is brimming with raspberries and limestone minerality, and it’s perfect for raw seafood, including sushi and sashimi. This one is produced in extremely limited quantities, so grab a bottle while you can. Rosé Champagne is trendier than ever, and it’s easy to see why — it’s crowd-pleasing delicious!

6. Domaine De Sainte-Anne White, Crémant De Loire

The Loire Valley is one of France’s most complex wine regions, as producers are experts in making everything, from crisp white wine to dessert wine. The area’s Crémant is also fantastic, especially when it comes from a 6th-generation producer like Domaine De Sainte-Anne. This beauty is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, but it has that unique Loire feel to it that makes it irresistible. Enjoy with white meat, fish and seafood; the dry palate is an authentic palate cleanser.

7. Domaine Aupy Mousseux Blanc Demi Sec, Saumur

The Aupy family knows the vineyards around the village of Le Puy Notre Dame like the back of their hands. Here, they grow the ripest Chenin Blanc, which they use to make this subtly sweet sparkling wine that is both easy to enjoy and sophisticated. The tight acidity balances the residual sugar nicely, and the flavour profile of white fruit and flowers is clean and approachable. This wine is an ideal apéritif but is sweet enough to tackle fruit salads and mild desserts.

8. Domaine Paris Brut Sparkling White 2017, Vouvray

Rounding up our list of our favourite French sparkling wines this season, we bring something from the legendary appellation of Vouvray, where winemakers make sparkling wine in the coldest, harshest vintages. This beauty by Domaine Paris is a best buy; it’s incredibly affordable for what you get, and that’s quince and butter over a dry palate with great length. This is a 100% Chenin Blanc, and it’s aged for up to 20 months in natural caves! Vouvray’s sparkling wines are on par with the appellation’s most exclusive sweet wines, that’s for sure.

Sparkling Wine, Not Only for Celebrations
Sparkling wine might be the ultimate wine style for special occasions and memorable moments, but you’ll surely agree opening a bottle of sparkling wine is memorable already! There’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a bottle of your favourite sparkling wine in the fridge for whenever the time is right. There’s no better way of turning a get-together into a party than pouring some bubbles.

Enjoy sparkling wine all year with all types of food, with friends and family or with that significant other. Sparkling wine makes any moment perfect, and that’s why we love it!