We’re bubbling with enthusiasm for all things festive, especially Champagne here at Luxury Lifestyle Magazine. Our food and drink editor Natasha Heard has sipped her way through bottles of bubbly from Waitrose, John Lewis and even Aldi to find you the best Champagnes for Christmas 2016.
Here she picks her top four bottles.
G.H.Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut NV (75cl)
Mumm Champagne, in collaboration with Porsche, has created a modern and sharp limited edition pack with its brushed aluminium and mirror finish effect, perfect for Champagne and car lovers this Christmas!
Mumm Cordon Rouge has long been associated with celebrations. The stylish bottle decorated with the Cordon Rouge plays tribute to Legion d’Honneur and represents the brand’s long standing heritage of strength and integrity. The champagne itself is smooth bodied with a rich and expressive finish.
Available from Waitrose priced at £33.50.
Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d’Or Brut Vintage Champagne (75cl)
More than just an exceptional Champagne, Palmes d’Or is “The Diva of Champagne”. Blending the finest Crus in Champagne, enhanced by meticulous ageing for at least six years, is the finest tribute to the art of Champagne. Always vintage, Palmes d’Or seduces connoisseurs of the finest Champagnes and will flatter the most exquisite gastronomic delights. Dressed in a beautifully designed black bottle, this Palmes d’Or Brut Vintage has a blend of ginger, red fruits and honey notes. Best served chilled.
Available from John Lewis priced at £85.
Nicolas Feuilatte Brut Chardonnay, Blanc de Blancs, 2006 (75cl)
This is a deliciously elegant, bright and vigorous Champagne with a lovely richesse and length of flavour. Aged for at least 6 years in our cellars. The crus which were selected for the blend fully express the best of the Chardonnay varietal character. Full on the palate. Lively, fresh and powerful, with a complex finish of citrus fruits and honey.
Available at Waitrose priced at £26.99.
Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut (75cl)
Don’t let the price tag put you off, this is one of the best Champagnes I’ve tasted in 2016. A bestseller and highly acclaimed award-winner from the small, consistently excellent Champagne house Philizot & Fils. This blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier has been aged in cellars to enhance its complexity, elegance and length.
Available from Aldi priced at £9.99.
Champagne Bruno Paillard N.P.U. ‘Nec Plus Ultra’ 2003 (75cl)
Champagne Bruno Paillard, a small, family run Maison based in Reims, launched their 2003 Prestige Cuvée, N.P.U. ‘Nec Plus Ultra’, in the UK earlier this year. The Champagne is a deep, yellow gold with tiny but lively bubbles. It has wonderful aromas of beeswax notes and honey, with slight cedar wood sensation and white flowers. On the palate it is very gentle with a creamy effervescence, with further aromas of candied orange peel and ginger. Only 4,200 bottles (all individually numbered) of N.P.U. 2003 were created.
Champagne’s from Bruno Paillard are available from winedirect.co.uk.
