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'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.