Alternatives to champagne for your wedding toast
Image: Frances Beatty Photography
Sparkling wine and celebrations go hand in hand. Something about the cork popping, the jubilant fizz, and the crisp bright flavours makes bubblies a tried and true choice for weddings, and especially during the toast. While “Champagne” might be what immediately comes to mind, true Champagnes, though beautiful and luxurious, are quite costly--usually starting at $70 per bottle and going up from there. Luckily, there are great alternative sparklers that will keep costs low and spirits high while also impressing your guests.
Cremants
Cremants are sparkling wines made in France, but outside of the Champagne region. They use the same traditional bottle fermented style, and often use the same grapes as Champagne, but because they don’t carry the Champagne label they don’t come with the Champagne price tag. Many critics and connoisseurs will tell you that these wines are every bit as good and sophisticated as their more famous cousin, but at a fraction of the cost. Look for Cremants from Alsace or Bourgogne (Burgundy) using grapes like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling with the complex flavours and toasty notes France does so well.
Image: Frances Beatty Photography
Prosecco
Prosecco has really gained a following in the west in recent years, and for good reason. The northern Italian style is a cheerful crowd pleaser that’s almost always very budget friendly. Though many Proseccos tend toward the sweeter side, you can serve a crisp and refreshing lower sugar option by choosing a “Brut”. If you’re looking for the highest quality and driest Prosecco, seek out an extra dry “Conegliano Valdobbiadene”, a real stunner of a wine that punches well above its dollar value.
Cava
Spain’s best known sparkler is much like Cremant in that it rivals Champagne for taste and quality but tends to come in at a price point that will leave you with extra dollars to spend elsewhere on your big day. Made from interesting grapes like Macabeo and Parellada, Cavas are usually very food friendly as well--traditionally paired with tapas--which means they’ll be great if you have passed hors d'oeuvres or a charcuterie spread. Look for roses if you want to add a splash of colour, and seek out Gran Reservas if you want to go high end.
Ontario Sparklers
With a latitude similar to the best sparkling wine regions in the world, it should be no surprise that Ontario is making some of the best Champagne alternatives you can hope to find. A huge variety of bubblies are made right here close to home, from traditional Champagne grapes such as Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, but also fun choices like Pinot Gris, Gewurtzraminer, Gamay, and Vidal. Blends, single varietal, roses, all run the spectrum from bone dry to richly sweet which means there’s certainly an Ontario for your palate. And Ontario’s not the only province with world class options--BC, Quebec, and Nova Scotia are making delicious bottles too that are well worth seeking out.
Ciders, Perries, and Fruit Wines
Your toast’s sparkler doesn’t need to be made from grapes! Apples, pears, even peaches and other fun fruits can be crafted into lovely, lively tipples that will come in with a lower alcohol content as well as a lower price tag. Ontario’s tradition of orcharding means we’re creating some of the best ciders, perries, and sparkling fruit wines in the world. But you can also look to England, France, and Spain again for old world options with some history behind them. And many cideries are also producing non-alcoholic sparkling juices, which are an excellent idea to have on hand for any guests choosing not to imbibe the fermented variety!
Turn choosing your sparkling option into a fun adventure. Use this opportunity to visit the LCBO and wineries and cideries, and buy a few bottles of these varying styles well in advance of your wedding. No matter your taste and preference, there’s a world of options available to explore!
Guest Contributor
Joel Loughead is an award-winning cider maker and avid wine tourist living in the Beaver Valley.
