This 2021 vintage sparkling is wine made entirely from Chardonnay and produced in the traditional method by Moillard, one of Burgundy’s most historic and respected houses, established in the 18th century in Nuits-Saint-Georges. This vintage has spent twelve months on lees, going beyond the nine-month minimum required for Crémant, giving it extra depth and complexity.
The wine has a pale golden yellow colour with a very energetic rush of bubbles at first pour, as shown in my photograph. Aromas are floral and nutty with hints of apple drifting through. On the tongue it is distinctly dry, with a bright acidic lift and a buttery apple character that gives it a rounded richness. It manages to avoid the cloying sweetness often used to mask shortcomings at this price level, instead offering a cleaner, more refined experience. There’s a certain grace here, reminiscent of a Champagne Blanc de Blancs, though at a fraction of the cost. It performed well with food too, handling fish and chips without being overwhelmed or losing its sparkle.
My wife asked me a rather good question while we drank it. If I hadn’t known what it was, would I have thought it was Champagne? My answer was yes, though perhaps more like an affordable supermarket Champagne. The difference here is that this wine carries a vintage and provenance that those supermarket bottles often lack.
It’s the closest Crémant to Champagne that I’ve found on a supermarket shelf. Newly available at Tesco at £16, it becomes truly exceptional value during the 25% off deals when it drops to £12.
