Champagne taste on a beer budget

RACV Club Sommelier Christian Maier reveals a fabulous and affordable sparkling wine

It’s the fizzy wine that’s a hit with Australians all-year round and synonymous with celebrations, good times and luxury.

Indeed, for many, there’s nothing quite like popping a bottle of sparkling wine, affectionately known as ‘bubbles’.

Without doubt, the most popular variant of sparkling wine is Champagne. Hailing from the Champagne wine region of northern France, Champagne is made under a highly regulated and lengthy process that covers production, grapes and more – and typically comes with a price tag to match.

In fact, only sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region can legally be called Champagne.

But Champagne is far from the only sparkling wine on the market. In fact, there’s an Italian rival that’s quickly gaining sales ground globally.

The popularity of Prosecco, a sparkling wine named after the village of Prosecco in the province of Trieste in northern Italy, has surged in recent years thanks to a more affordable price point, and the rise of the summer-favourite (and Instagram-friendly) Aperol Spritz aperitif, of which Prosecco is a key ingredient.

However, if you’re looking to maximise value for money, it might be worth extending your radar beyond just Champagne and Prosecco.

In the run up to festive season, RACV Club Sommelier Christian Maier reveals a fabulous fizzy drop from one of the oldest sparkling wine regions in the world, that delivers Champagne-like flavour, complexity and elegance on a beer budget.

So whether you’re looking for a stocking filler or simply a drink to celebrate the little things in life, there’s a brilliant French-made sparkling wine that can be enjoyed for under $20.

Take a look at the video below to find out more.