Get ready to celebrate this Christmas and New Year as we have put together our biggest and best guide to the finest fizzes for the festive season ahead. From fine English sparkling wines to classic Champagnes to bubbly Proseccos, we have found the perfect fizzes to celebrate in style, ideal for a toast or to pair with delicious canapes, seafoods or even your turkey roast.
The selection of sparkling bottles from around the world, from South Africa to Slovenia and California to Cornwall to, of course, Champagne, are sure to delight, whether you are enjoying throughout the festive season or gifting to a loved one. Read on for our special picks this year.
La Gioiosa Prosecco Rose DOC Millesimato
This is an elegant and intensely aromatic Prosecco from Treviso. The Italian province’s historical motto, which was ‘March gioiosa et amorosa’ (‘joyous and amorous March’), hints at the vineyard’s name and the wine’s lively nature.
Price: £11.99
Where to buy: Waitrose, Sainsburys, Ocado,
La Gioiosa Gold Prosecco DOC Treviso
Expect a very pale straw colour and a fine, persistent perlage with this Italian fizz. The aroma is fruity with hints of ripe golden apple and small mountain flowers, and the dry, fresh and flavoursome sensation on the palate is followed by a fruity and harmonious aftertaste.
Price: £12.99
Where to buy: Sainsburys, Ocado
Maison Mirabeau: La Folie Rosé
Hailing from Luberon in central Provence, Mirabeau La Folie Rosé is light and bright pink colour, with a fine stream of elegant bubbles. A lovely balance of rich and fresh aromas on the nose with apricot, yellow peach, melon, passion fruit is all tied up by a subtle lavender honey note. Tense yet ample, with a refreshing acidity that gives depth to a creamy and white fruit flavoured profile, this is perfect as an aperitif, to pair with seafood tapas or for an indulgent brunch this festive season.
Price: £14.99
Where to buy: waitrosecellar.com
Wild Life Botanicals Nude
Crafted in Cornwall, Wild Life Botanicals is the first ultra-low, English-made sparkling wine – just one 125ml glass of Wild Life Botanicals delivers a minimum of 15% of the daily reference intake of the active eight vitamins and minerals that are blended into the sparkling wine. With just 0.5% ABV and with over 60% fewer calories than Champagne or Prosecco, Wild Life Botanicals brings you all the fun of Christmas without the slowdown.
Price: £15
Where to buy: wildlifebotanicals.co.uk
The Emissary Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut
The Emissary is elegant, rich and complex with extra fine, velvety bubbles. This is a prosecco made for celebrating. A great addition to any Christmas celebration, the prosecco’s vibrant, zesty acidity and a subtle hint of sweetness balance gracefully on the palate.
Price: £17.99
Where to buy: theemissary.co.uk
Roger Goulart Gran Reserva Brut 2015
Located in the little village of Sant Esteve Sesrovires in the Alt Penedès region of Cava in Spain, this is a long ageing Cava of strong character from its ageing on lees. Yellow in colour with golden reflections, and bright with fine bubbles, in the nose it is creamy, highlighting the fruity notes with a background of toasted nuts. Fresh on the palate, silky and structured, this is can be enjoyed as an aperitif wine or with vegetarian roasts.
Price: £20.40
Where to buy: Luvians
Kleine Zalze Cap Classique Brut NV
From Western Cape, South Africa comes this traditional Methode Cap Classique, showing elegance and complexity with a long finish. Aromas of strawberry and blackberry fruit flavours are complemented by classic biscuit bouquet richness. A lively fine mousse transforms this wine into an unforgettable sparkling sensation, making this a perfect party aperitif wine or one paired with fish and shellfish.
Price: £21
Where to buy: SAHouseofwine
Kristancic Pavo Cristatus Classic Cuvee 2014
This showstopper from Slovenia is a fuller bodied style of Rebula blend, with four years ageing on lees which expresses complex flavours of baked fruit, brioche and toast. The perfect aperitif for Christmas day, or one to gift to a loved one. We recommended that you nibble on some fresh canapes such as smoked salmon while you accompany with this lovely tipple.
Price: £22.29
Where to buy: VIDA Wines and Spirits
Langham Corallian NV Classic Cuvée
Langham’s Corallian Classic Cuvée is a Chardonnay dominant blend with aromas of gala apple, pear, cut grass and hay. The palate has a fine mousse with orchard fruit and lemon citrus notes. There is a welcome touch of salinity and freshly baked brown bread, giving added dimension to this wine.
Ideal for a toast on Christmas morning served with a smoked salmon blinis or to celebrate with friends and raise a glass on New Year’s Eve.
Price: £27.50
Where to buy: leaandsandeman.co.uk
Vilarnau Brut Reserva and 2 glasses gift pack
Fresh and fruity, the Vilarnau Brut Reserva has toasty and honeyed aromas. It is perfect as an aperitif or paired throughout a meal. Displayed in a decorative gift box alongside two glasses, this would make an eye-catching gift this Christmas.
Price: £27.99
Where to buy: thechampagnecompany.com Harvey Nichols
Oxney Estate Organic English Sparkling NV
Winemaking at award-winning Oxney Organic Estate is overseen by experienced winemaker Salvatore from Sicily and this sustainable English sparkling is crisp and refreshing, not too high on the alcohol content, and really won’t disappoint you or your guests. It’s a pioneering example of the revolution that’s underway in English wines and comes highly recommended.
A vineyard blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Seyval Blanc, it’s dry, refreshing and precise, with red apple, pear and toasty flavours carried on a thread of beautifully crisp acidity.
Price: £28.75
Where to buy: collectivino.com
Ridgeview Bloomsbury NV
A fun, celebratory wine to enjoy with friends and family over the festive season, this dry English fizz has a glorious brioche nose and a racy, lime and lemongrass finish. Flavours of citrus, peach and honey work fabulously with bread-based canapés or seafood.
Price: £28.99
Where to buy: Waitrose, Fenwick, Harvey Nichols
Bolney Estate Cuveé Noir
A unique sparkling red wine that pairs perfectly with Christmas Pudding and cheeseboards. This has aromas reminiscent of red fruits, especially red cherry, redcurrants and sweet blueberries. On the palate, a wonderful creamy richness and full-bodied mousse, packed full of ripe summer fruits, with a hint of sweet spice on the finish.
Price: £30
Where to buy: Bolneywineestate.com
Ridgeview Cavendish NV
A deliciously rich and round sparkling wine perfectly suited to the winter season and a wonderful accompaniment to canapés featuring duck, beetroot or light meats. Pop a bottle of this during the festive season for a celebration to remember.
Price: £30
Where to buy: Harvey Nichols, Butler’s Wine
Hattingley Valley Classic Reserve
Go traditional with the elegant, award-winning Classic Reserve, a perfectly balanced blend of several vintages with an abundance of fine bubbles. With aromas of green apples, creamy nougat and freshly baked brioche, this crowd-pleasing bottle of fizz is perfect paired with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on Christmas morning for a luxurious start to your day.
Price: £30
Where to buy: hattingleyvalley.com
Domaine Carneros Brut 2017
This very focused and elegant wine from Napa Valley in California displays lovely notes of key lime, honeycomb and lemon curd. It is round and displays hints of lime blossom, baked pear and lemon meringue, resulting in a creamy texture and a long finish. Enjoy with roast turkey or try pairing with seafood.
Price: £30.10
Where to buy: vivino.com
Champagne Castelnau Brut Réserve NV
Champagne Castelnau, the outstanding champagne winery located in the heart of Reims, highlights its Champagne Castelnau Brut Réserve NV as the perfect festive gift or tipple to enjoy with the season’s festivities.
This gorgeous Champagne tempts with green apple, brioche and a touch of flint on the nose, with pin prick bubbles lifting the palate, all supported by bright acidity and a superbly refreshing finish.
Price: £32
Where to buy: The Wine Society, castelnau.co.uk
Champagne Nicolas Maillart Rose Grand Cru
This delicious Rosé Grand Crú was elaborated from 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay grapes, and the fruit expressed for this wine are only the finest 1er Crú and Grand Crú grapes which are hand-picked for a small production.
This Champagne has an inviting salmon pink colour and a mesmerizing fine bead that lasts. The nose is intense with red fruits dressed in pink and warm toasted vanilla. The first taste is of white cherry compote, fleur de sel, toasted brioche with cream. Tertiary nuances of orchard blossom lend a delicate floral note. Fresh, fruity and vinous with mouth-watering acidity, ginger and citrus zest take the main stage for a grandiose finale.
Enjoy with red fruit (especially berries) or cooked salmon as an aperitif or accompanying light meals, mild cheeses, and fresh or steamed vegetables.
Price: £34.04
Where to buy: 8wines.com
Denbies Cubitt Blanc de Noirs 2014
Winning gold at the WineGB and Decanter Awards, the 2014 Denbies Cubitt Blanc de Noirs has a delicate copper colour and fruit aromas of strawberry and cocoa. Enhanced by the use of barrel matured dosage and six years of bottle ageing the complex fruit flavours combined with a chalkiness give this wine breadth and body whilst retaining freshness. The balance is on the crisp side and the finish is miles long. This is delicious with shellfish and particularly oysters and also pairs well with Christmassy flavours of apple and cinnamon.
Price: £34.99
Where to buy: Denbies
Champagne Lanson, Le Black Label Brut
The authentic style of Le Black Label Brut comes from a unique savoir-faire based on a selection of the finest Crus of Champagne. Consisting of Pinot Noir (50%), Chardonnay (35%), and Pinot Meunier (15%), its light and fresh palate makes it the perfect gift for the Christmas season.
See brilliant clear amber highlights stream of fine bubbles; smell springtime aromas, toasty hints and honey notes; and taste a bouquet of ripe fruits, citrus notes, and a freshness, from this award-winning pick.
Price: £35
Where to buy: masterofmalt.com
Duménil Champagne Grand Réserve 1er Cru NV
An elegant Champagne from a fiercely independent family-run estate, which has been making consistent and elegant Champagnes for five generations, in the words of the owner, Frederique Poret-Duménil, her Cuvée Champagne represents ‘great character and capacity for ageing’.
A well-balanced and complex Cuvée that is dry and refreshing with that biscuity goodness you get with Champagne, this is best served chilled, straight from the fridge, as part of any celebration.
Price: £35
Where to buy: outpour.co.uk, Davy’s
Black Chalk 2018 ‘Classic’ II
Hampshire-based Black Chalk has become one of the leading lights of English Sparkling Wine since its launch in 2018. Its latest release is the Black Chalk 2018 Classic II – a small batch traditional method sparkling wine created using the three classic varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The use of oak barrels and time on lees gives depth and complexity to what is a fruit driven, perfectly balanced, crisp English sparkling wine.
Price: £35
Where to buy: blackchalkwine.co.uk, hometipple.com
The Bolney Estate Blanc de Blancs
A very stylish, single vintage, traditional method, quality Sussex sparkling wine. Elegant fruit and hazelnut aromas complement the smooth texture and creamy finish. Pairs perfectly with your Christmas brunch of salmon and eggs and the star of the show – the turkey – and also great with your New Year’s Eve canapes too.
Price: £36
Where to buy: Bolneywineestate.com
Ridgeview Fitzrovia Rosé
The Fitzrovia Rosé is a delicate salmon colour with an abundance of fine bubbles and a fresh fruit finish. Serve as a refreshing aperitif or it will pair beautifully with smoked salmon dishes or fresh English strawberries.
Price: £36
Where to buy: Waitrose, Harvey Nichols, Fenwick
Rathfinny Wine Estate Rosé Brut 2018
Rathfinny Estate in East Sussex was founded in 2010 and is located in the South Downs National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty in Southern England. As well as being a stunning site, the Rathfinny vineyard is perfect for growing sparkling wine grapes, the light, thin, clay loam soils over chalk are free draining and very similar to the Champagne region of France.
This rosé brut is pale pink in colour with a sublime nose of Seville orange cream and flat peach, a vibrant palate of wild strawberry coulis and candied mandarin zest with a white pepper and satsuma sherbet finish. A beautiful accompaniment to the bright flavours of Thai chilli crab, duck and ginger spring rolls and fruit-based desserts like strawberry soufflé. Rathfinny Rosé Brut 2018 is the fourth vintage of the expressive Sussex Sparkling, with a red-fruit style that beautifully showcases the increased presence of Pinot Noir within the blend.
Price: £36
Where to buy: shop.rathfinnyestate.com
Nyetimber Cuvee Chérie Multi-Vintage
Cuvee Chérie is the ideal present for the foodie of the group. A wine created with food at the very forefront, it complements delicate sweets and puddings, however, is just as comfortable alongside spiced and fragrant savoury dishes. Cuvee Chérie is a great accompaniment to an afternoon tea or meringue-based dessert, bringing out the delicately sweet honey notes with pure citrusy lemon and tangerine flavours. For savouries, pair with rich meaty dishes such as foie gras and terrines.
Price: £37
Where to buy: nyetimber.com
Taittinger Nocturne Sec NV
A perfect after dinner Champagne and a real crowd pleaser, this popular brand from Reims, France has a slightly higher dosage, making it soft, mellow and quite simply delicious. The aftertaste is long and soft with a subtle sweetness. All in all it is rounded, rich and well balanced, smooth and creamy. Enjoy at the end of the evening alongside rich meat pâtés and breads, while it works equally as well with fruit-based desserts and ice cream.
Price: £44.15
Where to buy: John Lewis, Waitrose
Taittinger Prélude Grands Crus NV
The bubbles here are fine and form a lasting and delicately creamy mousse, while the nose is subtle and fresh. This wine can be enjoyed as an aperitif but has the structure to match grilled fish and seafood, while it would also make a very welcome gift for the Champagne lover in your life.
Price: £56.00
Where to buy: Harrods
Squerryes vintage 2017 Brut Gift Box with 2 Opale Crystal Branded Flutes
Winner of a gold award at the 2021 Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships, Squerryes vintage 2017 Brut reflects the natural energy and purity of this North Downs vineyard with a soft, clean and fresh finish. This gift box includes a single 750ml bottle together with two Squerryes branded Opale crystal glass flutes in a gorgeous wooden gift case.
Price: £59
Where to buy: squerryes.co.uk, Vivino.com
Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2016
The multi-award-winning sparkling wine is created from 100% Chardonnay grapes. Blanc de Blancs has classic Chardonnay aromas of green apple and citrus, combined with mineral notes and white stone fruits on the palate. Hints of toasted hazelnuts and buttered toast give complexity from extended lees ageing. This wine is a great accompaniment to seafood and pairs perfectly with freshly shucked oysters, while the perfect Christmas pairing would have to be smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on Christmas morning.
Price: £59
Where to buy: gusbourne.com
Frerejean Frères Blanc de Blancs NV Premier Cru
This Blanc de Blancs is developed exclusively from Premier Cru and Grand Cru Chardonnay grapes, creating a generous and complex cuvée for the most discerning of wine drinkers.
This wonderful new release from Frerejean Frères has a satin texture and a plumper mouthfeel and a slightly richer level of sweetness than the other Champagnes from this house. It features notes of nutty brioche on the nose as well as apples and orchard fruits, and its mouthfeel is rich, silky and plump.
Price: £65
Where to buy: honestgrapes.co.uk frerejeanfreres.co.uk
Champagne Bruno Paillard 2012 Assemblage
Maison Bruno Paillard’s 2012 Assemblage is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from eight selected cru, of which 20% was fermented in seasoned French oak barrels. As with all its vintage releases for this boutique producer, Bruno Paillard has selected an artist to depict the label. For 2012 this was French artist, Claude Viallat, who designed the label according to the theme ‘furrow’. But it’s what’s on the inside that counts, so head inside this bottle and you won’t be disappointed.
Price: £66.90
Where to buy: hedonism.co.uk
Billecart-Salmon Brut Sous Bois
Billecart-Salmon is one of the world’s most admired Champagne brands and is renowned for its distinctive vintages, and iconic Rosé. It is also one of the few remaining independent, family-owned Champagne Houses, and was founded over 200 years ago by Elisabeth Salmon and Nicolas François Billecart, shortly after their marriage in 1818. With the 7th generation now at the helm, this family business has certainly made its mark over time and is now widely recognised as one of the finest Champagne houses in the world.
Billecart-Salmon Brut Sous Bois is a unique cuvée, which is entirely vinified in oak, and composed of the three Champenois grape varieties. With a burst of flavours (notes of grilled brioche and toffee) thanks to the distinguished power and maturity which is a mark of any great wine of Champagne, its strength of character and integrity make it an ideal accompaniment to poultry dishes or Girolle mushrooms.
Price: £65 – £70 (also available in magnum)
Where to buy: champagnedirect.co.uk or bbr.com
Hattingley Valley Kings Cuvée 2014
The champion of sparkling wines, the 2014 Kings Cuvée is Hattingley Valley’s very limited release and premium blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. A flawless accompaniment to any party, the citrus, baked apple, toast and spiced aromas make it the ultimate pairing for any canapé or Christmas course, particularly a caviar and sour cream blini. Voted ‘Best Sparkling Wine in the UK’ (WineGB awards), the 2014 Kings Cuvée is a celebratory tipple that demands centre stage at the table.
Price: £80
Where to buy: hattingleyvalley.com
Squerryes 2014 Vintage Blanc de Blancs
From Squerryes Wine Estate in Westerham, Kent, this Blanc de Blancs, has been described by the vineyard owner, Henry Ward as “the finest wine to have ever left our vineyard”. But don’t just take his word for it, this elegant English Sparkling Wine made from 100% Chardonnay has won two trophies at the International Wine Challenge 2021 – Best English Sparkling wine and Best English Sparkling Blanc de Blancs. Available in a celebratory magnum, this would be perfect for sharing with friends and family at Christmas.
Price: £105
Where to buy: squerryes.co.uk
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is a prestige cuvée Blanc de Blancs made entirely from Chardonnay grapes sourced from the best Grand Cru vineyards in the prestigious Côte des Blancs region. It is only produced when the harvest is of exceptional quality worthy of a vintage year. Winemaking methods involve strictly using just the first press juice and ageing 5% of the wines for four months in new oak barrels – a third of which are renewed every year – to enhance the intrinsic qualities and complexities of the final blend.
Presented in 18th century antique style bottles, this hand-crafted champagne is aged eighteen metres underground in the UNESCO status Saint-Nicaise cellars in Reims for a minimum of eight years before being released.
The ultimate present, from the Finest Bubble, ‘the Champagne emergency service’ – online Champagne specialist retailer with a same-day three-hour London delivery and next day delivery for UK Mainland – Taittinger Comtes de Champagne.
Price: £144 (no gift box) and £150 with gift box
Where to buy: thefinestbubble.com
Nyetimber 1086 Prestige Cuvee
This past year has been tough, so for someone who really deserves a treat opt for a bottle of Nyetimber 1086 Prestige Cuvee. As the very first prestige cuvee made in the UK, 1086 is the pinnacle of English winemaking. With more richness than any other wine in the Nyetimber range, the acidity, length, and texture are perfectly balanced to ensure the most premium experience.
1086 is at its best when served with the tastiest morsels the British coastlines have to offer, such as grilled lobster, fresh scallops, meaty monkfish, or the king of the sea – turbot.
Price: £150
Where to buy: nyetimber.com
Coravin Sparkling – Sparkling Wine Preservation System
Not a drink, but a useful little tool to keep your sparkling wine fizzy, Coravin Sparkling, aims to end all attempts of the many mythical solutions we currently employ (such as spoons placed in open bottles) to maintain the fizz in sparkling wine.
The sparkling wine preservation system retains the flavour and effervescence of sparkling wines for two weeks, meaning we can now enjoy sparkling wine by the glass without affecting the rest of the bottle.
Price: £399.99
Where to buy: Selfridges, Coravin Sparkling
