'Tis the season for decadence and a touch of sparkle - and what better way to bring festive cheer
than a fridge full of fizz for parties and impromptu gatherings?
Champagne is admittedly my bubbly of choice
- I love both poised, elegant styles with brisk acidity
and the richer, pastry-like, gastronomic pours.
But with Christmas all about sharing, toasting,
and big get-togethers, stocking up is essential.
Consumer group Which? has named Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne the best
Christmas fizz, outclassing Moët & Chandon's Brut Impérial.
The supermarket fizz costs just £25 a bottle, but many popular Champagnes are priced over £40.
With that in mind, I'm sharing my secrets for sparkling
swaps that keep both the palate and the wallet happy.
Bollinger Champagne, £58
Swap for? Langlois Crémant Brut Réserve NV,
£15.95
Saving: £42.05 a bottle
For Bolly bling without the sting, head to the Loire Valley, where the Bollinger
family crafts this Crémant using the same traditional method as their Champagnes.
Made primarily from Chenin Blanc, which thrives in the Loire, it undergoes 24 months of aging, delivering a Crémant
with depth that offers a charming twist on Bollinger's rich Champagne style - with
change to spare.
Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne, £280
Swap for? Roederer Estate Quartet NV, £32
Saving: £248 a bottle
Renowned producer Louis Roederer is the name behind the iconic
Cristal Champagne - a prized choice among celebrities, especially when served in a flashy jeroboam,
complete with sparklers in the ‘VIP section' of nightclubs.
But if the £270 price tag brings tears to your eyes, try
Cristal's Californian cousin, Quartet. Crafted in the cool Anderson Valley, it offers a taste of luxury for almost a tenth of
the cost.
Laurent Perrier Rosé Champagne, £80
Swap for? Morrisons The Best Crémant De Limoux Rosé NV, £12.50
Saving: £67.50 a bottle
If you're after something pink, grab this super chic Crémant de Limoux from Morrisons - delivering luxe
for less. With a delicate effervescence and notes of strawberries and cream, it hints at pink Champagne at five times the price.
And here's a little-known fact: legend has it that the art of fizz was first discovered in Limoux,
in the South of France - though our friends in Champagne may disagree.
Ace of Spades Champagne, £315
Swap for? Segura Viudas Brut Vintage Premium Cava,
£12
Saving: £303 a bottle
For showstopping-style on a shoestring, skip Harrods, forget
Jay-Z's red-carpet-ready ‘Ace of Spades' and head to Sainsbury's for
Segura Viudas premium cava, complete with a shield that's delightfully
close to a spade. For the price of one bottle of that Champagne, you could
bag 26 bottles of this classy cava - and,
honestly, after a few glasses, who's noticing the difference?
Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne, £89
Swap for? Fortnum's Franca Contea Franciacorta Brut
NV, £26.50
Saving: £62.50 a bottle
‘Blanc de Blancs' meaning ‘white of whites' is the name for bubbles made
solely from white grapes - typically Chardonnay in Champagne, delivering elegance and finesse,
à la Ruinart. Prices have crept up as Blanc de Blancs become all
the rage, but hop over the border to the hidden gem of Franciacorta in Lombardy, northern Italy, and you'll find complex, vinous sips
with plenty of flair, like this Fortnum's pick.
Pol Roger Champagne, £55
Swap for? Graham Beck Selection Sparkling Wine,
£13.50
Saving: £41.50 a bottle
I served these delicious South African bubbles at my
wedding - quaffed in record time, with nobody realising
it wasn't Champagne. As well as my own big day, Graham Beck
has made an appearance at state events for Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama,
earning it the title of ‘presidential pick' for sparkling
wine. And you'll save a few quid compared to other politician favourites,
like Pol Roger.
Mumm Champagne, £39
Swap for? Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige, £25
Saving: £14 a bottle
From Marlborough, New Zealand's premier region and home
of top Brit sip, Sauvignon Blanc, comes a fresh take on fizz.
Blessed with sunshine and a cool climate, Marlborough produces
wines that are vibrant and crisp. Here, a blend of traditional
Champagne varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier - offers an easy-drinking, bright character,
and a great value sub for Mumm's beloved bubbles.
Veuve Clicquot Champagne, £48
Swap for? Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut NV, £14.99
Saving: £33.01 a bottle
First launched over a decade ago at £12.99, Aldi has miraculously kept their best-selling Veuve Monsigny Champagne under £15.
For a sprightly, quaffable style, it's unbeatable at that price
- perfect for Buck's Fizz at Christmas Day brunch, canapés,
and a refreshing post-turkey sip. It's worth mentioning that the Premier
Cru label at £21.99 is a real step up and fantastic
value too.
Moët & Chandon Champagne, £44
Swap for? Chandon Brut Argentina, £23
Saving: £21 a bottle
From Champagne giant Moët & Chandon, Chandon Brut is a
Champagne-style bubbly from Mendoza, Argentina. If you're thinking Mendoza is known for
its hot climate and big, bold Malbec reds, think again - Chandon's vineyards are
situated in the foothills of the Andes at over 1,000 metres, where cooling influences help retain that desirable freshness
in the grapes.
For wine lovers craving more tips, don't forget
to pick up a copy of my debut wine book, Wine: Taste Pair Pour - the perfect stocking
filler for everyone, from novices to connoisseurs.
With every page filled with stylish illustrations and photos, it brings the world of
wine to life - dive in to discover your favourite grapes and styles, master the art of food pairing, and buy and
serve wine with confidence. Available at Amazon, Waterstones and all major bookstores.
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