This year's Fizz.

With so many good alternatives to Champagne around, I now very rarely drink the real thing; I find it overpriced, and the quality often lacking. 

This year I've bought a case of Rebmann Crémant d'Alsace. Only on unpacking it from it's box did I notice that it is a Vin Biologique. It cost just under €6 per bottle.

I presume that no chemicals have been used during its vinification, and no nasties sprayed onto the vines themselves. I also presume that no evil weed killers have been used on the soil. All that makes me reasonably happy.

It's a quality Vin mousseux, not some cheap white wine injected with bubbles. I've just opened a bottle to make sure that it's worthy of our Christmas celebrations, and it merits a very respectable 9/10.

Good sparkling wines are made all over France (and elsewhere), and whilst I always associate Burgundy with red wine, I have also bought a case of this Crémant de Bourgogne from the cellars of the Widow Ambal. Like its cousins in Champagne, it has rested for several years in its bottle, and frankly is no different from an Epernay wine. It was a tad more expensive at about €8. Again I give it 9/10. 

And, just in case we run-out, I picked up a couple of bottles of Wolfberger; another very pleasant Crémant d'Alsace that always goes down well. I can't remember the price of this one, but probably much as the top one.  8/10 for this one.

As you might imagine, all wines are BRUT.