As the festive season progresses, sparkling wine enthusiasts are popping bottles to celebrate the New Year.
However, Aldi has placed a restriction on its popular Crémant de Loire, limiting shoppers to just two bottles each from Friday, December 27 through January 1.
This move comes as demand for the Loire Valley sparkling wine continues to soar, especially as consumers seek quality bubbles at an affordable price.
Priced at £4.99 (approximately $6.20) per bottle, Aldi’s Crémant has proven to be a standout of 2024, attracting wine lovers for its exceptional quality at a fraction of the price of Champagne.
The decision to limit sales ensures that more customers can experience this exceptional fizz without the risk of running out of stock before the year’s end.
“We want everyone to be able to raise a glass of quality wine this festive period, without breaking the bank,” said Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying for Aldi. “By lowering the price of our exquisite Crémant de Loire to just £4.99 ($6.20), and introducing a two-bottle limit, we’re ensuring more customers can experience this exceptional sparkling wine at an unbelievable price.”
The Loire Valley is renowned as the number one sparkling wine production region in France, second only to Champagne.
Known for its environmental certifications, such as HEV (High Environmental Value), Terra Vitis, and Agri Confiance, 80% of estates in the Loire Valley are committed to sustainable practices.
Crémant has become a key player in the sparkling wine market, with global sales seeing a notable rise in 2024.
Producers have credited the wine’s growing popularity to its traditional production methods—identical to Champagne—offered at a price closer to Prosecco.
Henkell Freixenet reported a 16% increase in Crémant sales compared to the previous year, and UK retailer Waitrose also noted a 51% jump in Crémant sales.
Despite concerns over selling quality wine at low prices, Aldi’s efficient business model allows it to offer these prices without compromising quality.
Critics argue, however, that such prices could strain resources for producers. Aldi maintains that the cost savings are passed directly to customers, offering a rare opportunity to enjoy high-quality sparkling wine without breaking the bank.
With Crémant continuing its upward trajectory, it looks set to remain a crowd favorite through 2025.
However, the upcoming duty changes in the UK on February 1 are unlikely to significantly impact the competitive landscape among sparkling wines like Prosecco, Cava, and Champagne.
