French fries and Champagne are the high-brow, low-brow pairings you never knew you needed in your life — like potato chips and caviar. Salt and fat from potatoes. Acidity of Champagne.

From Crémants to vins mousseux, French sparkling wines by names other than Champagne are worth getting to know. We found some excellent bubblies—not to mention very good values.

VERTUS, France — Walking through his family's vineyard, fifth-generation Champagne-maker Charles Fourny runs his hand over Chardonnay vines planted by his grandfather more than 70 years ago.