Alternative To Moet & Chandon Brut

[Misky]

I usually buy a friend of mine a bottle of Moet & Chandon brut champagne for Christmas, but my purse strings are being tightened this year. Does anyone know of a cheaper alternative that will hopefully taste as good? Or would any "brut" do? Thanks in advance X

[coccinelle]

There are lots of prices for champagne. One bit of advice is to look at the capsule on the top and look for Recoltant. This means it comes from one vineyard and hasn't been 'mixed'. You can get a nice not too expensive champagne by following that (the same applies to French wine). Alternatively, look for a crémant; this can be a cremant d'alsace, a crémant de bourgogne, a cremant de loire... not sure what choice there is in the UK these are a lot cheaper and a nice alternative.

[shoota]

If you can find a vin mousseux from Saumur you will not be disappointed. I really like the product from Bouvet Ladubay which knocks spots off many overpriced champagnes.

http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/keyword-is-Bouvet?cmp=googleadwords&gclid=COeZovH4j7QCFefMtAodqgYAgA

[Misky]

Thanks for the help it's handy to know what to look for X

[Bluestone]

I'm not a fan of Moet Brut. I think it's average, and a bit boring. You pay more, simply because of the brand name. There are loads of alternatives out there, for the same price, or cheaper.

If you want to save yourself some cash, why don't you get her a nice bottle of Prosecco, instead? :-)

[bookbinder]

Tesco sells Cava at about £3.99 per bottle. It's very nice.

[Misky]

Thanks bluestone & bookbinder - cheaper alternatives was just what I was looking for (although my friend and I really do like M & C, it's all a matter of taste) which is why I am looking for something that tastes similar... X

[AlwaysConfused]

Depends how much you want to spend. ASDA are doing Pierres Darcy for a tenner at the moment, which is very yummy. If you go for a sparkling wine, go for one that says Traditional Method on the label. This sparkly is made in the same way as Champagne, but cannot legally call itself that as it's not from the Champagne region.

[MarkRae]

Nothing wrong with Prosecco! I have a bottle of it myself in the kitchen waiting for a suitable opportunity to share it.

The OP could well investigate other similar sparkling wines such as cava:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-champagne-sparkling-wine

[Bluestone]

Ooh, I love a bit of Cava.

When I saw your name appear on this thread, I thought you were about to have a go at me, for saying Moet was crap! :P

[Misky]

I think I'll go with the Pierres Darcy - thank you AC, and for the tips on what to look for if it's not there when I go X

[slaney]

According to Which this year the top three affordable champagnes are..
Morrisons, The Best Champagne Brut - £19.99
Tescos Finest Premier Cru Champagne NV - £19.99
Aldi Champagne Philizot et Fils - £12 .99

[MarkRae]

Why would I do that? No matter what Freddie said, I don't keep my Moet & Chandon in a pretty cabinet nor anywhere else for that matter!

If you'd dissed Taittinger that would have been a different matter... ;-)

[Bluestone]

Lol. I wouldn't dare!

I'd go for Veuve Clicquot, myself :-)

[MarkRae]

Yes, Veuve Cliquot is good too, as are Dom Pérignon and Piper-Heidsieck. I find it hard to drink Bollinger without thinking of Ab Fab, though... :-)