'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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