Champagne alternatives: 22 Crémant d’Alsace wines waiting to be discovered

A lovely warm gold colour in the glass, this has notes of brioche, toasted almonds and citrus zest on the nose. The palate is dry and lively with tiny bubbles and flavours of candied lemon peel, nectarine and peach. This has structure and complexity with the flavours hinting of its age but still offering plenty of life and vibrancy. A lovely wine and great alternative to pricier Champagnes.

Dry and racy, this wine is made without any additional sweetener giving it a lovely fresh and crisp taste. It's clean and precise on the palate with candied lemon, lime zest and nectarine juice on the palate. Well-made and really enjoyable. A great choice as an apéritif on a hot summer's day. Made with almost equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and and Pinot Noir.

Toasted oak spice and brioche notes on the nose, this is vibrant and zesty with candied lemon peel, pear and apple skin flavours on the palate. The mousse is fine and creamy, the result of lees aging, with an overall elegant structure and long length.

Toasted vanilla notes on the nose, this is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes and is fresh, fruity and bone dry on the palate. Here the fruit majors on crisp granny smith apples, ripe pears and lime zest. It's light and vibrant and slips down easily.

Made from an almost-equal blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc, this has aromas of freshly cut white flowers and hints of buttery pastry. On the palate there are fine bubbles expressing fleshy apricot and lemon flavours. It is delicate and nuanced, a lighter style than some of the others in the tasting but has harmony and subtle persistency. The estate celebrated their 400 anniversary in 2014 with 15th generation winemaker Laure assisting her father Jean-Baptiste, one of the leading biodynamic farmers in Alsace.

A light straw colour, this has notes of lime, lemon peel and apricot flesh. It's juicy and mouthwatering with persistent bubbles and long length. This feels a bit more elegant and refined than some, everything balanced and harmonious with a lovely lingering lemon brioche note at the end.

Apricot and green apple skin aromas on the nose following on the palate with persistent bubbles, delicate citrus flavours and lively freshness. A great celebration wine and alternative to Champagne. Made with 70% Pinot Blanc, 20% Pinot Noir and 10% Riesling.

Aromas of brioche and wild honey on the nose. On the palate there is a wonderful persistence of lively bubbles and flavours that comprise buttery lemon and lime zest. Delicate and refreshing. Aged for 55 months on lees before being disgorged on March 11, 2020. This is made from 100% Pinot Auxerrois and has a dosage of 1.5g/l.

A fresh and inviting nose which follows on the palate with mouthwatering lime zest and soft honey notes. This has a lovely texture with finessed bubbles and generous juicy core. Serve cold as an apéritif.

Designed to express the terroir on which the grapes are grown, this is elegant and complex with flavours of green apple, pear, lemon and apricot. It's fresh and enjoyable with a delicate acidity that keeps things lively to a long finish.

This bottling was created in celebration of producer Arthur Metz's 110th birthday. Aged in the cellar for more than 48 months it has lovely aromas of toasted nuts and brioche on the nose. The palate is fresh and lively with a kick of lemon rind, lime zest and grapefruit juice. Dry and racy - this is perfect as a cold apéritif.

Fine and delicate bubbles fill the mouth with dominant notes of toasted vanilla spice, lemon peel, apple and lime juice. It has crisp acidity and lively, persistent finish. 9g/l residual sugar. A wonderful apéritif style.

Pale gold colour with grapefruit and nectarine notes on the nose. On the palate there are crunchy citrus flavours, lemon, lime and crisp apple with toasted nut edges. A generous mouthfeel, balanced acidity and lively finish complete the wine. A light, dry and crisp style.

A lovely, seriously dry sparkling with persistent bubbles and a juicy lemon core. It also has some zesty edges and a touch of lemon and grapefruit peel. One of the sturdier styles that would definitely pair well with a main meal of seafood, summer salads or white meat dishes.

From 14th generation winemakers, this is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir aged for 41 months. It has soft but juicy acidity and creamy lemon and lime flavours on the palate. A more international style than some of the others with biscuit notes and a refreshing finish. HVE certified and in the process of organic conversion

A mouthwatering wine with tons of lemon juice and crisp apple flavours. It's dry and fresh with the Pinot Blanc giving roundness while the Pinot Noir gives structure. An easy drinking, go-to apéritif wine. Made from 40% Pinot Blanc Auxerrois, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Gris, aged 24 months on lees, with 10g/l residual sugar.

A delicate nose of white flowers, toasted almonds and brioche. On the palate there are stewed apple and baked pear flavours with lashings of oak around the edges and underpinned by a bright lemon drive. This is structured and well-made.

Stewed pear, toasted nuts and freshly baked brioche on the nose. This is dry and refreshing with a delicate creaminess alongside lime and lemon zest. Great for everyday drinking pleasure. Made by the Cattin family, who have been making wine in the same village since 1720, now run by Jacques and his son Jacques Jr who are the 11th and 12th generation family members respectively. Certified vegan friendly.

A golden colour with brioche and toast notes on the nose. This is definitely a fuller style with lemon and biscuit character. Nicely dry and refreshing with a long-lasting citrus flavour.

Mouthwatering citrus flavours on the palate with tiny little bubbles that fill the mouth. This is dry and refreshing, not as layered as some of the others in the tasting but has real drive and persistency of apple, pear and lemon flavour through to a long finish. A lovely, easy drinking wine.