Wine expert Rob Buckhaven investigates the TikTok claims over Crémant (Picture: Waitrose/Getty)
Who else gets put off by hype?
Well, I do, for one. It happened to me with Whispering Angel and now it’s heading that way with Harry Styles (but that’s another story…)
So, when all this commotion kicked off around Cuvée Royale Rosé, a £15.49 Crémant from Waitrose, I was cynical.
I mean, TikTokers are pitching it as a stand-in for Champagne, so being Metro.co.uk’s wine expert, I was intrigued to try it for myself.
Given it’s from Waitrose, I knew the wine wouldn’t be mid, but I was also sceptical about comparing it to Champagne. It’s a comparison that’s bandied around by a lot of sparkling wines, and politely, it can often be a stretch.
Crémant is a sparkling wine made by the same method as Champagne, where the second fermentation happens in the bottle.
Looking for an alternative for champers this Christmas and New Year? (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
It can’t be called ‘Champagne’ as it’s not from the Champagne region in north eastern France. This Crémant is from the Limoux region in Southern France, south of Carcassonne in the foothills of the Pyrenees.
First off, it’s currently on deal at £10.99 (£4.50 off), so I’m frustratingly allured. I can’t help but be attracted by the packaging, a pastel pink label across a squat green bottle with a gold neck foil.
So far, the TikTokers have a point, it’s mildly Champagne-like in aesthetics. Don’t be fooled though, that’s a common little trick among Champagne wannabes.
You can get Cuvee Royale as a Brut, as well as a Rosé (Picture: Waitrose)
On the nose, we’re talking surprisingly opulent Wimbledon-in-a-glass aromas of wild strawberries and Chantilly cream with a pinch of cherry blossom florals.
In the mouth, the bubbles are fine, dry, elegant and rich, tasting of flat peach, apricot and the base of a strawberry cheesecake.
Waitrose also delivered a bottle of the white sparkling version (£13.99 down to £9.99), so I may as well tell you that that one has flavours of honeysuckle and custard apple over ginger nut biscuits and a bone dry, lemon zesty finish.
So what do I think?
This time the TikTok hype is right – I’m impressed. The white and rosé Crémant could indeed be a decent stand-in for lower-end Champagne; they look and taste the part, plus they’ll save you around £15. Cheers to that!
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