Crémant de Bourgogne: nine top buys

You'll find Cave de Lugny's entry-level Crémant at Waitrose, but this superior version (sadly not currently available in the UK) is a world away, with three years of ageing on fine lees as opposed to just the one year for the entry-level wine. A blanc de blancs, so 100% Chardonnay, the wine has an attractive depth of lemon citrus fruit, yellow plum and faint white flowers. Gorgeously elegant. Dosage: 7g/L.

Stéphane Aladame established his estate in 1992, and today owns 8.5ha, mainly in Montagny premier cru, with additional vines elsewhere used to produce Bourgogne Aligoté, Bourgogne Blanc and Crémant de Bourgogne. This blend of Aligoté and Chardonnay is drier than most Crémants on the market, with a dosage of just 4g/L, extra brut as opposed to the more common brut (6g-12g/L). Green gold in colour, this is expressive and lively, almost spicy, with a very Burgundian nose. White flowers – acacia – and some stone fruit, with freshness, and a streak of minerality. Really delicious, very classy.

A relatively young estate, Domaine de la Croix Montjoie was created in 2009. The 10-hectare vineyard is planted on deep clay limestone that contains fossils, on south / southeast facing slopes. Majority Chardonnay, with 20% Pinot Noir, this has a lovely depth of flavour, and harmonious complexity. Yellow plum, pain d'épices, nuts and toast, it's all there. It's Brut in style, but with an attractive fruit sweetness. Lingers on the finish. Dosage: 8g/L.

Vignerons des Terres Secrètes is a cooperative based in the Mâconnais region, in Burgundy's south. Aged on lees in vats for 30 months with 10% reserve wine added, this accomplished blanc de blancs displays crisp, tangy honeysuckle and peach fruit. There's a hint of nuttiness and lovely purity. A perfect aperitif style. Dosage: 7g/L.

This keenly priced Crémant is barely more expensive than many Proseccos and so offers tremendous value for money. Fragrant and fruit forward, there's a generous and juicy red berry perfume, with floral notes. A touch sweeter than some, but all in balance, with elegance and good purity. Dosage: 10-12g/L.

One of the oldest names in Chablis, Simmonet Febvre is the only producer in the appellation to produce a range of Crémants de Bourgogne. This 100% Pinot Noir wine is structured and mineral, with citrus notes, grapefruit zestiness. There's also a hint of salinity. Still slightly tight, this will reveal more with another year or two's age in the bottle. Dosage: 6g/L.

A well-respected name in Burgundy, Albert Bichot has performed very well at the Decanter World Wine Awards over the years. The house was founded in 1831 and is now in its sixth generation of family ownership. Farmed organically, this blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay saw a portion of the base wine aged in oak, and 15% reserve wines included to add complexity. Citrussy and elegant, it's fresh and fairly restrained, with white blossom fragrance. Purity and precision. Dosage: 7g/L.

Established in the 1950s, Cave des Hautes Côtes is the only coop in the Côte d'Or, bringing together 80 wine-growers, who work 350ha of vines. Half Pinot Noir, and the rest a blend of Aligoté, Gamay and Chardonnay, this is aged for 24 months with lees contact. You'll find firm apricot fruit on the nose, juicy, poised and youthful. Dosage: 8.2g/L.