Latest news with #Crémant
North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Prosecco expert on why you've been drinking it wrong
According to Aldi's resident wine guru, Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn, there's one tiny, easy-to-miss word on the label that could make or break your glass. Sam says the most misunderstood term is 'Extra Dry' – which sounds very dry but actually means slightly sweet. The result? Many Prosecco lovers have been reaching for the exact opposite of what they want. 'When it comes to selecting your bottle of Prosecco from the shelf, 'Extra Dry' can sometimes be misleading if you're expecting a very dry wine," she explains. 'While most pricier bottles like Champagne and Crémant are Brut - meaning dry - most Prosecco is 'Extra Dry'. This naturally leads fizz lovers to believe their wine will be very dry. However, what it really means is that the wines are 'off-dry', possessing a subtle hint of sweetness." This subtle sweetness is precisely what makes Prosecco so appealing to many. 'It's one of the many reasons Prosecco is so tasty," says Sam. "The acidity is lower, the wines are gently fruity, think melon and apricot, and have a soft bubble. This sweetness contributes to it being so drinkable, making it a favourite for many occasions.' The crucial takeaway, is that if you prefer your Prosecco on the drier side, you've been doing it wrong by reaching for 'Extra Dry'. 'For those who do prefer their Prosecco dry, simply look for the word 'Brut' on the bottle, rather than 'Extra Dry'," she says. This seemingly small detail makes a significant difference in the glass, offering a crisper, less sweet profile. 'Both 'Extra Dry' and 'Brut' Proseccos offer wonderful experiences; it's all about knowing which one best suits your taste.' While understanding sweetness levels is paramount, she also highlights other key indicators for Prosecco lovers. Shoppers should also be looking out for DOC and DOCG on the label. 'Essentially these are Italian wine quality indicators, with DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) being the standard, and DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) being the step above – the very highest quality.' Finally, for those who prefer a gentler fizz, she notes that 'Spumante' on the label simply means fully sparkling, while 'Frizzante' indicates a softly sparkling wine, with a less vigorous bubble. Recommended reading: Aldi brings back its 'chicken wine' due to popular demand Aldi orange wine is the taste of the summer Aldi school uniform bundles are back, for a fiver or less Aldi has a range of Proseccos for every drinker, she explains: Made from the same Glera grapes as its bubbly counterpart, this wine offers all the fresh, fruity flavour of Prosecco, minus the fizz. Think vibrant orchard fruit aromas and a crisp, refreshing taste – perfect for those seeking a trend-forward alternative to traditional white wine. This medium-bodied Prosecco features grapes that are gently pressed to ensure that only the highest quality juice is used. It's a wine that not only tastes good but does good too, as the winery is committed to using renewable energy wherever possible. Aldi organic prosecco (Image: Aldi) This Italian sparkler boasts soft peach and pear flavours with notes of apple peel and lemon zest, making it the perfect sip by itself, or a great value option for spritz cocktails. A pink fizz with a blend of berry fruit flavours and hints of white peach and citrus. Another fan favourite at a competitive price point, this Italian tipple is favoured for its light, creamy quality, and delicate floral touches. A refreshing and aesthetically pleasing bottle of bubbles, this Prosecco is the perfect accompaniment for any alfresco occasion.
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Prosecco expert on why you've been drinking it wrong
According to Aldi's resident wine guru, Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn, there's one tiny, easy-to-miss word on the label that could make or break your glass. Sam says the most misunderstood term is 'Extra Dry' – which sounds very dry but actually means slightly sweet. The result? Many Prosecco lovers have been reaching for the exact opposite of what they want. 'When it comes to selecting your bottle of Prosecco from the shelf, 'Extra Dry' can sometimes be misleading if you're expecting a very dry wine," she explains. 'While most pricier bottles like Champagne and Crémant are Brut - meaning dry - most Prosecco is 'Extra Dry'. This naturally leads fizz lovers to believe their wine will be very dry. However, what it really means is that the wines are 'off-dry', possessing a subtle hint of sweetness." This subtle sweetness is precisely what makes Prosecco so appealing to many. 'It's one of the many reasons Prosecco is so tasty," says Sam. "The acidity is lower, the wines are gently fruity, think melon and apricot, and have a soft bubble. This sweetness contributes to it being so drinkable, making it a favourite for many occasions.' The crucial takeaway, is that if you prefer your Prosecco on the drier side, you've been doing it wrong by reaching for 'Extra Dry'. 'For those who do prefer their Prosecco dry, simply look for the word 'Brut' on the bottle, rather than 'Extra Dry'," she says. This seemingly small detail makes a significant difference in the glass, offering a crisper, less sweet profile. 'Both 'Extra Dry' and 'Brut' Proseccos offer wonderful experiences; it's all about knowing which one best suits your taste.' While understanding sweetness levels is paramount, she also highlights other key indicators for Prosecco lovers. Shoppers should also be looking out for DOC and DOCG on the label. 'Essentially these are Italian wine quality indicators, with DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) being the standard, and DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) being the step above – the very highest quality.' Finally, for those who prefer a gentler fizz, she notes that 'Spumante' on the label simply means fully sparkling, while 'Frizzante' indicates a softly sparkling wine, with a less vigorous bubble. Top tips for enjoying prosecco Temperature is key: Always ensure your Prosecco is at fridge temperature to prevent a frothy explosion on opening The perfect pop: Keep one hand firmly on the cork once you've removed the wire cage/muzzle. Twist the bottle, not the cork, for a controlled and elegant opening Common myth debunked: Putting a spoon in the bottle to maintain the bubbles simply does not work. Recommended reading: Aldi has a range of Proseccos for every drinker, she explains: Costellore Still Prosecco DOC (£4.99, 75cl) Made from the same Glera grapes as its bubbly counterpart, this wine offers all the fresh, fruity flavour of Prosecco, minus the fizz. Think vibrant orchard fruit aromas and a crisp, refreshing taste – perfect for those seeking a trend-forward alternative to traditional white wine. Costellore Organic Prosecco DOC (£6.69, 75cl) This medium-bodied Prosecco features grapes that are gently pressed to ensure that only the highest quality juice is used. It's a wine that not only tastes good but does good too, as the winery is committed to using renewable energy wherever possible. Aldi organic prosecco (Image: Aldi) Costellore Prosecco Spumante DOC (£5.35, 75cl) This Italian sparkler boasts soft peach and pear flavours with notes of apple peel and lemon zest, making it the perfect sip by itself, or a great value option for spritz cocktails. Costellore Prosecco Rosé (£6.49, 75cl) A pink fizz with a blend of berry fruit flavours and hints of white peach and citrus. Specially Selected Prosecco Spumante DOCG Valdobbiadene (£7.99, 75cl) Another fan favourite at a competitive price point, this Italian tipple is favoured for its light, creamy quality, and delicate floral touches. A refreshing and aesthetically pleasing bottle of bubbles, this Prosecco is the perfect accompaniment for any alfresco occasion.
Western Telegraph
6 days ago
- General
- Western Telegraph
Prosecco expert on why you've been drinking it wrong
According to Aldi's resident wine guru, Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn, there's one tiny, easy-to-miss word on the label that could make or break your glass. Sam says the most misunderstood term is 'Extra Dry' – which sounds very dry but actually means slightly sweet. The result? Many Prosecco lovers have been reaching for the exact opposite of what they want. 'When it comes to selecting your bottle of Prosecco from the shelf, 'Extra Dry' can sometimes be misleading if you're expecting a very dry wine," she explains. 'While most pricier bottles like Champagne and Crémant are Brut - meaning dry - most Prosecco is 'Extra Dry'. This naturally leads fizz lovers to believe their wine will be very dry. However, what it really means is that the wines are 'off-dry', possessing a subtle hint of sweetness." This subtle sweetness is precisely what makes Prosecco so appealing to many. 'It's one of the many reasons Prosecco is so tasty," says Sam. "The acidity is lower, the wines are gently fruity, think melon and apricot, and have a soft bubble. This sweetness contributes to it being so drinkable, making it a favourite for many occasions.' The crucial takeaway, is that if you prefer your Prosecco on the drier side, you've been doing it wrong by reaching for 'Extra Dry'. 'For those who do prefer their Prosecco dry, simply look for the word 'Brut' on the bottle, rather than 'Extra Dry'," she says. This seemingly small detail makes a significant difference in the glass, offering a crisper, less sweet profile. 'Both 'Extra Dry' and 'Brut' Proseccos offer wonderful experiences; it's all about knowing which one best suits your taste.' While understanding sweetness levels is paramount, she also highlights other key indicators for Prosecco lovers. Shoppers should also be looking out for DOC and DOCG on the label. 'Essentially these are Italian wine quality indicators, with DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) being the standard, and DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) being the step above – the very highest quality.' Finally, for those who prefer a gentler fizz, she notes that 'Spumante' on the label simply means fully sparkling, while 'Frizzante' indicates a softly sparkling wine, with a less vigorous bubble. Top tips for enjoying prosecco Temperature is key: Always ensure your Prosecco is at fridge temperature to prevent a frothy explosion on opening The perfect pop: Keep one hand firmly on the cork once you've removed the wire cage/muzzle. Twist the bottle, not the cork, for a controlled and elegant opening Common myth debunked: Putting a spoon in the bottle to maintain the bubbles simply does not work. Recommended reading: Aldi has a range of Proseccos for every drinker, she explains: Costellore Still Prosecco DOC (£4.99, 75cl) Made from the same Glera grapes as its bubbly counterpart, this wine offers all the fresh, fruity flavour of Prosecco, minus the fizz. Think vibrant orchard fruit aromas and a crisp, refreshing taste – perfect for those seeking a trend-forward alternative to traditional white wine. Costellore Organic Prosecco DOC (£6.69, 75cl) This medium-bodied Prosecco features grapes that are gently pressed to ensure that only the highest quality juice is used. It's a wine that not only tastes good but does good too, as the winery is committed to using renewable energy wherever possible. Aldi organic prosecco (Image: Aldi) Costellore Prosecco Spumante DOC (£5.35, 75cl) This Italian sparkler boasts soft peach and pear flavours with notes of apple peel and lemon zest, making it the perfect sip by itself, or a great value option for spritz cocktails. Costellore Prosecco Rosé (£6.49, 75cl) A pink fizz with a blend of berry fruit flavours and hints of white peach and citrus. Specially Selected Prosecco Spumante DOCG Valdobbiadene (£7.99, 75cl) Another fan favourite at a competitive price point, this Italian tipple is favoured for its light, creamy quality, and delicate floral touches. A refreshing and aesthetically pleasing bottle of bubbles, this Prosecco is the perfect accompaniment for any alfresco occasion.
Forbes
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Champagne Vs. Crémant: Which French Sparkling Wine Is Right For You?
Waiter serving a glass of sparkling white wine getty If you've ever stared at a wine list and wondered whether you should spring for Champagne or go for that slightly cheaper French sparkling wine called Crémant, you're not alone. They both have French names. They both have bubbles. They both pair beautifully with french fries. So what's the actual difference—and which one should you order? Here's your quick, no-fuss guide to figuring out which French sparkler fits the occasion (and your budget). Festive photo of sparkling wine in glasses getty Champagne is sparkling wine made in—you guessed it—the Champagne region of France. The French are extremely serious about this. If it doesn't come from Champagne, it legally can't be called Champagne. (Think of it like how only certain ham can be called Prosciutto di Parma, and the Italians will absolutely fight you on it.) Crémant, on the other hand, is sparkling wine made elsewhere in France, using pretty much the same labor-intensive method—meaning the bubbles come from a second fermentation inside the bottle, not from a soda machine—but without the high-stakes branding (and usually, without the Champagne-level price tag). It's like Champagne's laid-back cousin: still elegant, still fancy, but less likely to max out your credit card. Champagne is known for its bright acidity, delicate mousse (fancy term for bubbles), and complex flavors. Depending on the bottle, you might taste notes of green apple, brioche, lemon curd, almonds, or even a little smoky minerality. In other words, it's doing a lot—but in a way that makes you feel fancy, not overwhelmed. Crémant varies a little more because it's made in different regions, with different grapes: Overall, Crémant is usually a little fruitier and softer than Champagne. It's less "grand gala" and more "really excellent garden party." Champagne sticks mainly to three grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The balance between these grapes gives Champagne its famous structure and elegance. Crémant gets to be more experimental. Depending on the region, you might find grapes like Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, or even Trousseau. It's basically a choose-your-own-adventure situation—just with bubbles. Champagne bottle in a bucket of ice. getty Here's where Crémant starts looking even better: Basically, if you want to impress your friends and have enough money left for snacks, Crémant is your buddy. Close-up of group of high-quality Champagne corks getty In short: Champagne says 'Congratulations on your promotion!' Crémant says 'Congratulations on surviving another Zoom meeting!' Both are important. Whether you pop open a prestigious Champagne or a playful Crémant, you're already winning—because you're drinking good sparkling wine. The real secret isn't picking the "better" one. It's picking the one that fits the moment—and the one you're excited to drink.
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Daily Mail
The best sparkling wines for summer sipping: How to get champagne taste on a prosecco budget - including a new £12 winner at Aldi
Champagne taste on a Prosecco budget? Look to France 's crémant regions – Loire, Alsace, Limoux and more – for traditional-method sparkle without the splurge. Over in Spain, Cava is also well worth exploring - once overlooked, it's seriously upped its game in recent years, with some excellent bottles on shelves from just £8. Further afield, sparkling wines from , Australia and Argentina can offer character, freshness and brilliant value.
