Value-led premiumisation and growing consumer interest in regional discovery are helping drive strong growth in French sparkling wines, with Crémant emerging as a standout performer in the UK market.
Supermarket chain Tesco has reported a 73 per cent year-on-year increase in sales across its Crémant range, reflecting rising demand for high-quality sparkling wine alternatives to Champagne as shoppers continue to balance tighter budgets with a desire for affordable indulgence.
The category is also benefiting from increased consumer willingness to explore lesser-known wine regions and styles, with areas such as Alsace, the Loire and Burgundy gaining traction among shoppers seeking variety and authenticity within the sparkling wine category.
“What’s interesting is that shoppers aren’t just trading differently, they’re exploring more.
"People are buying Crémant from Bordeaux one week and Loire the next. It’s the ideal purchase for the current market: it feels like Champagne, but it’s priced for everyday use” says Denis Courault, director of Crémant at Les Grands Chais de France.
This value-led trend is reshaping the category. Shoppers are increasingly moving across price tiers, shifting away from entry-level Prosecco while seeking more affordable expressions of traditional-method sparkling wines, and exploring the distinct identities of various French regions.
Market data supports this shift. UK Crémant volumes reached 6.3 million bottles in 2025 (+22% YoY), and its share of French exports to the UK has more than doubled in recent years, rising from 1.2% in 2019 to 3.1% in 2025.
Within the segment, Crémant de Loire remains the largest contributor, while Crémant d’Alsace is driving the fastest growth, highlighting growing interest in regional styles.
With an average price of around £10, Crémant sits in a highly competitive sweet spot, offering traditional-method credentials at an accessible price.
Producers such as Groupe Grands Chais de France (GCF) are well placed to capitalise on both the value and discovery trends, with a broad Crémant portfolio spanning key regions. GCF’s range, including Louis Couturier, Calvet, and Moillard, reflects this growing appetite for regional exploration across UK retail.