Words by Natasha Heard and Lisa Curtiss
With a year like 2020 almost over, it only seems fitting that we should raise as many toasts as possible to its conclusion. Thankfully, we have a bumper selection of the finest Champagnes, English sparkling whites, bubbly rosés and Proseccos you could wish for. Whether you are pairing with a selection of divine canapes, seafood starters, or you are raising a glass on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve, there will be something for all, so read on and take your picks of the best festive fizzes.
Prince Alexandre Crémant de Loire NV
This fresh, gently sparkling white is lovely as an aperitif and is the perfect sparkler to serve with a selection of festive canapés. Hints of citrus and white stone fruit on the nose and palate yield to a soft, creamy mousse and a luxuriously, long refreshing finish. For those who want to be a little naughty, add a dash of the Muscat Depuis 1348 for a touch of, fruity, sumptuous sweetness.
Price: £12.99
Where to buy: waitrose.com
Olivier Baudin Brut NV Champagne
This classic Champagne blend provides a fine, toasty, spice hint with brioche characters on the nose, while the Pinot Noir and Meunier elements give a delicious red fruit tang and softness on the palate, and the Chardonnay lifts the finish. It pairs beautifully with scallops and other shellfish and, of course, oysters, if you are feeling adventurous.
Price: £15
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk
Tempus Two Copper series Prestige Cuvée
A luxury brand that does things a little differently, Tempus Two offers contemporary, fruit driven and textural wines from renowned wine regions encased in eye catching packaging. Designing distinctively bold, elegant wines with an edgy attitude, Tempus Two redefines just how stylish modern Australian wine can be.
Impress loved ones with this showstopper fizz – a sophisticated bottle perfect to toast to the New Year countdown. Full of refreshing citrus, green apple and pear flavours, complemented by undertones of pineapple and guava, this would pair well with smoked salmon or goat’s cheese crostini – those ideal New Year’s party treats.
Price: £16
Where to buy: sainsburys.co.uk
The Emissary Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut
Refined, elegant, vibrant and zesty with a delicious lingering fruit finish. This fine prosecco is the perfect festive tipple and ideal partner for Christmas canapés.
Price: £17.99
Where to buy: theemissary.co.uk
Adnams Champagne Brut
The Adnams Champagne from the Marne Valley is a powerful golden yellow wine, made using 80% Pinot Meunier and 20% chardonnay. It has scents of dried flowers and notes of fresh, ripe fruit.
The vineyards that produce the grapes for this Champagne are located in and around the beautiful village of Vincelles. Pinot Meunier gives the wine a real maturity, while the Chardonnay brings structure and elegance. There is nothing like a Champagne to mark a special occasion, and this is the ideal choice for any and every one of them this festive season.
Price: £22.99
Where to buy: adnams.co.uk
Bottega Gold Prosecco
Packaged in a dazzling gold painted bottle with a fresh, crisp taste and crafted in the heart of Italy’s prosecco region, bottega gold uses hand-picked Glera grapes and is carefully created with artisan care and attention. A refined bouquet with fruity and floral notes delivers a soft, harmonious and elegant taste with lively yet balanced acidity that is sure to delight prosecco fans this festive season.
Not only is Bottega Gold the perfect gift, but its shining gold bottle is also guaranteed to add a touch of glamour and sparkle to any dinner table this December. Enjoyed alone as an aperitif or as part of after dinner cocktails, it goes particularly well with starters, seafood, risotto, grilled white meats and vegetable dishes.
Price: £24.99
Where to buy: ocado.com
Tribaut Brut NV, France
Tribaut Brut Origine is a fresh and fruity Champagne, middle to full bodied, that shows great length and good balance on the palate. It is a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier selected from eight different terroirs; and includes 10% reserve wines aged in large oak casks (foudres).
Price: £26.70
Where to buy: northernwineandbeer.co.uk
Adnams Champagne, Rosé
Adnams Champagne is crafted right on the Champagne route in the heart of the Marne Valley, in the village of Vincelles. The winery is the project of a renowned Champagne producer from an ancient family and a cleverly orchestrated collaboration in 1780 with 28 neighbours, also Champagne growers. This means their Champagnes are produced with grapes 100% grown from their own vineyards where over 80% of the vines are planted with the Pinot Meunier grape.
This Rosé Champagne is a lively and grand choice for celebrations that require a playful hint of pink. The blend is dominant in Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, their red skins lending the beautiful colour to this elegant and rich rosé Champagne that’s soft, generous, light and delicate.
Price: £26.99
Where to buy: adnams.co.uk
Classic Cuvée, Rathfinny, Sussex 2016
Planted straight onto the chalk of the South Downs, in sight of the English Channel, this young estate is already making brilliant wines. A blend of 57% Pinot Noir, 22% Chardonnay, and 21% Pinot Meunier, three years on the lees ensures that there’s a richness and complexity here alongside the focus and precision that marks it out at recognisably English. With citrus, pear and zesty elements, this is best paired with a grilled prawn linguine, home-cooked chicken pie or the classic fish and chips.
Price: £28.63
Where to buy: laywheeler.com
Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Brut Champagne
With Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top you see structure, roundness and complexity emerge throughout the entire tasting. Initially, through the nose, you are given yellow fruits and in particular peach. The promise offered by the aromas in the nose is more than delivered by a round mouth, subtle attack and good length. The mouth, like the nose, is dominated by fruit – peaches, cherry plums and then oranges. The wine is pale yellow in colour with brilliant reflections.
Price: £28.99
Where to buy: sainsburys.co.uk
The Bolney Estate Cuvée Rosé
An award-winning English sparkling wine hailing from Sussex, this Cuvée Rosé is elegant, delicate, fresh and fruity with tiny bubbles that make this drink go down a treat. The single vintage, traditional method sparkling wine is salmon pink in colour and boasts floral and red apples aromas, which lead to red apple and cranberry on the palate and a bright finish. This is a great Christmas pick as it pairs so well with cheese, hors d’oeuvres, starters and fish, so pop this bottle on the big day and start your celebrations with a bang.
Price: £29.99
Where to buy: bolneywineestate.com
Nicolas Courtin 2013 Vintage Champagne
This classic, mature vintage Champagne has a lovely nutty note on the nose. With fresh brioche and a hint of soft red fruit on nose and palate, it also boasts a delightfully complex finish. This will make the perfect gift for those who just love a glass of the good stuff.
Price: £29.99
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk
Tribaut Rose Champagne, France
Tribaut Rosé is a 40% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Meunier blend produced from four terroirs: Romery, Damery, Fleury la Rivière and Ay. In order to obtain the wine’s salmon-coloured hue and red fruit aromas, around 10% red wine from the Damery terroir is incorporated into the cuvée.
Price: £30.10
Where to buy: northernwineandbeer.co.uk
Digby Fine English NV Brut
One of the country’s very best sparkling wines, this vivacious elegant fizz is the ideal celebratory tipple. It’s made from lush pinot noir with rich, aged chardonnay and plummy pinot meunier.
Price: £32
Where to buy: armitwines.co.uk
Somborne Valley English Sparkling Blush Rosé 2014
This delicate pink sparkling wine hails from Hampshire’s Test Valley and was awarded silver at the Wine GB 2020 awards. The nose is clean and has aromas of strawberries, lemon zest, brioche and raspberries, while on the palate you will find strawberries, peaches and cream. This exquisite rosé blush is subtle and ideal for that celebratory toast on New Year’s Eve and to pair with canapes.
Price: £32.99
Where to buy: elizabethrosewines.co.uk
Pierre Legras Coste Beert
Based in the village of Chouilly this fanastic maison run by Marcelline and Vincent create brilliant, crisp wines which are the perfect representation of the village. This offering boasts lovely, sweet fruits with a perfect balance, a round a rich palate and is full of crisp, green apple. Perfect for a festive toast.
Price: £35
Where to buy: sipchampagnes.com
Champagne Irroy Extra Brut NV
This very special sparkly from the Marne and Aube regions is a 30% chardonnay, 70% pinot noir and meunier celebratory delight. Crisp, rich and utterly delicious and the perfect festive tipple to welcome your guests with.
Price: £35.55
Where to buy: cellarselected.com
Jenkyn Place Blanc de Blancs 2015
This award-winning wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes from the boutique vineyard’s 500 Chardonnay vines. Suitable for both vegans and vegetarians, this offering boasts both a gold medal at the Wine GB 2020 awards and was also named Best English Sparkling wine at the World Sparkling Wine Awards 2020. Enjoy on its own or pair with a fresh asparagus tart or white meat, such as chicken in a light garlic and cream sauce.
Price: £38
Where to buy: jenkynplace.com
Oastbrook Estate 2014 Sparkling Rosé
Made from pinot noir and auxerrois grapes, this sophisticated award-winning wine is packed with juicy cherry and berry flavours and notes of buttery brioche. Perfect with shellfish, smoked salmon and white fish.
Price: £38
Where to buy: oastbrook.com
Louis Pommery England – English Sparkling Wine
This sparkling wine boasts freshness and finesse thanks to the yellow citrus aromas that initially emerge. On the second nose, this finesse is enveloped in white fruit aromas, predominantly pear, followed by vine-ripened peach, and these aromatic notes are heightened on the palate, offering a beautiful balance and a rich harmony. A lovely and delicate pale straw yellow in colour and the ideal fizz to bring out on New Year’s Eve.
Price: £39.99
Where to buy: ocado.com
Pommery Brut Royal Champagne
Lively and cheerful, pale yellow in colour and with green reflections, this wine is fresh, light-hearted, delicate and generous in taste. Very aromatic, with notes of yellow, fleshy apple, ripe citrus and a touch of brioche, vanilla and almond, everything is in harmony and never tires the palate. With a focus on elegance and length, the wine offers a clean palate at the end without any dryness – perfect for that festive toast.
Price: £40
Where to buy: ocado.com
Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée M.V. X.B.
Maison Bruno Paillard is a family-owned house with exceptional vineyards located in the heart of the Champagne region. The Premiere Cuvee is their flagship and is an assemblage of crus, grape varieties and vintages. It is a very personal interpretation of the region, through the selection of diverse terroirs from 35 different crus. This delectable offering blends a toasty, golden aroma with a lovely intensity on the palate.
Price: £40.95
Where to buy: thewhiskyexchange.com
Brimoncourt Extra Brut Grand Cru Champagne
The Brimoncourt extra brut cuvée is the result of rigorous selection of the best grapes from outstanding years. All the grapes are Grand Cru from just six sites in the villages of Champagne and this offering is mostly made of pinot noir at 80%. With its outstanding freshness, intense nose of citrus fruits and white fruits, this wine is excellent for an aperitif or with delicate and creamy food.
Price: £42.99
Where to buy: wanderlustwine.co.uk
Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut
Founded in 1811 in Epernay, Maison Perrier-Jouët is one of France’s most historic champagne houses, but also one of its most distinctive, renowned for its floral and intricate champagnes which reveal the true essence of the Chardonnay grape and an enduring tradition of savoir-faire – an unparalleled expertise of only seven Cellar Masters since its foundation.
Get set for greener gifting and celebrate the season in sustainable style with Perrier-Jouët’s brand-new, fully recyclable eco gift box collection. Sleek in design with recognisable colour-cues, Perrier-Jouët’s eco-designed gift boxes are elegantly embossed with the brand’s legendary anemones – an instantly recognisable mark synonymous with high-quality and great taste that is sure to lift loved ones’ spirits this Christmas.
Price: £47.50
Where to buy: fortnumandmason.com
Taittinger Brut Millesime Vintage 2014 Bubble Gift Box
Taittinger’s vintage Champagne or ‘Cuvée Millésimée’ is made only in years when the grape harvest is considered to be of outstanding quality. These wines are made with the discerning Champagne connoisseur in mind. Made from first press wines the wine is only released after several years of cellar ageing, allowing the aromas to mature slowly and the length and complexity of the wine to develop.
The vivid, lively nose exudes fruity and floral aromas, with a white blossom bouquet (orchard flowers, lime blossom, honeysuckle) punctuated with aromas of fresh fruits (lemon, peach) giving way to almond notes with a hint of brioche. Both vegan and vegetarian, this offering comes dressed in a distinctive bubble gift box, making it a marvellous looking gift for the Champagne lover in your life.
Price: £55
Where to buy: champagnedirect.co.uk
Gaspard Brochet Pinot Noir Tome 1
Gaspard Brochet’s debut provides quite the introduction on the Champagne scene and his pure pinot noir from a single vineyard is positively bursting with deliciousness. You’ll find rich, smokey fruit on the front end, with a smooth mid palate and sweet, prune-filled finish.
Price: £70
Where to buy: sipchampagnes.com
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé
The Brut Rosé is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir vinified as red wine. Its pale and bright pink colour is adorned with warm glints of gold and its delicate slowly rising bubbles give it a persistent mousse.
This cuvée unveils a subtle aroma leading to an elegant, delicate bouquet of fine notes of red fruits and zest of citrus fruits and its special method of vinification gives this cuvée a light, elegant flavour, followed by a fresh finish with a taste of raspberry. This rosé champagne is an ideal partner as an aperitif and can also accompany a dish of wild salmon or sushi. For dessert, it will add a sublime touch to red fruit flavours.
Price: £70
Where to buy: champagnedirect.co.uk
Hattingley Valley Kings Cuvée 2014
Voted Best Sparkling Wine in the UK 2020, the 2014 Kings Cuvée is Hattingley’s very limited release and a premium blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The champion of sparkling wines, it makes for the ideal celebratory aperitif, enjoyed with a caviar and sour cream blini to toast in the new year, or can be paired with a range of seafood starters on the Christmas Day.
Price: £80
Where to buy: hattingleyvalley.com
Rare Champagne 2006
This multi-award-winning vintage enjoyed thirteen years of cellaring and has matured to express vibrant aromas, offering a generous honeyed and oriental nose. Expressing fragrances of cocoa, coffee, tropical fruits, crisp mango, white chocolate, quince and cinnamon-flavoured jelly with aromas of dried apricot and pink peony, the iridescent yellow-green gold champagne is one to savour. Pair with langoustines, green asparagus and warm potato espuma – an elegant Boxing Day or Christmas Eve celebratory meal or enjoy on its own to toast the end of the year and the start of a new one. Alternatively, you can save this for another ten years or so, but after this year, why not pop the cork and just enjoy?
Price: £183
Where to buy: hedonism.co.uk
Legras and Haas PI
Get ready to celebrate in style with a magnum sized bottle of this Champagne, which hails from the village of Chouilly. Established in 1991, the house, which is run by three brothers, produces a fantastic selection of wines and this Champagne is a prime example of their expertise.
Made up of a complex blend of 11 vintages dating to 1995, you’ll find plenty of crisp, green apple and a hint of salt on the nose. After a few hours it develops notes of gooseberry, white flowers and celery and, overall, it is so juicy and drinkable that you’ll be too busy enjoying it to think about much else. Bring this out on Christmas Day or New Year’s eve and enter into the party spirit – it’s a bottle for sharing and celebrating with.
Price: £250
Where to buy: sipchampagnes.com
Prices are correct at the time of publication.
