The UK supermarket chain Lidl describes their Crémant de Bourgogne white wine as being “highly underrated,” and boy, they aren’t kidding.
Then supermarket’s Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc NV — which sells for only 7.99 pounds, or a little over $10 — was just rated as one of the finest sparkling wines in the world at the 2017 International Wines and Spirits Competition.
In fact, Lidl’s cheap, unassuming wine earned the IWSC’s Silver Outstanding award, effectively beating out each of the three other Crémant wines in its category, reports Business Insider.
For comparison, Business Insider writes that a bottle of Veuve Clicquot 2008 — a French Champagne from a winery founded in 1772 — earned the very same Silver Outstanding award, but often sells for over $63.
According to Vinepair.com, Crémant wines share much in common with Champagnes — both are sparkling white wines fermented through similar processes — but Crémants, in general, are slightly less bubbly. In addition, Vinepair.com says that Crémants, unlike French Champagnes, can be produced in several French regions, including Bordeaux, Jura, Limoux, Die, Alsace, the Loire Valley and Burgundy.
Unfortunately, Refinery 29 reports that Lidl’s Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc NV is currently only available across the pond. But for those curious to know what it tastes like, the supermarket describes its wine as “dry and with plenty of flavor,” with “well-integrated fizz and a dry, lingering finish. An excellent apertif.”
Business Insider reports that Lidl UK, on average, sells 10,000 bottles of their Crémant de Bourgogne a month.
This isn’t the first time a cheap spirit has earned such a high honor. La Moneda Reserva Malbec — a red wine on sale at the Walmart-owned British supermarket chain Alda — had earned a highly respected Platinum Best in Show at the Decanter World Wine Awards. It’s price? Just under $7.