December is nearly upon us and this month is the one in which more sparkling wine and Champagne is opened than any other as it's the ultimate celebration drink.
Fizz is funny in that it's the most brand conscious part of the wine sector. If we are at a party and are being poured supermarket Cava or Prosecco, out hearts won't skip a beat. Trade up to a Champagne, even one we don't recognise and it's 'Oh good, Champagne, this is a good party'. If they open Bollinger, you'll think you're James Bond and if they open Cristal or Dom Perignon then you'll think you're the bees knees and they love you..
Advertisement
Conversely I'm one of the few who actually cares what fizz tastes like rather than being blinded by the label or price. So here are a few recommendations for great value fizz based on tastings done this autumn.
First of all many retailers have Prosecco sealed by screwap or ordinary cork and string rather than mushroom cork and metal cage. This has a slightly lower pressure and so pays only the still wine excise rate. €3.19, verses €6.38 for sparkling. Throw in VAT and margin and that's a big difference. Lidl have one for under €7, Dunnes for under €10 and Supervalu one for about €11. Best regular Prosecco I've tried of late is Tesco finest at €15.
Other bottle fermented (like Champagne) bargains to look for, from France, include Cremant d'Alsace from Tesco who have one for €12.50. Lidl have one for €12.99. Superquinn have a Cremant de Loire at €14. Aldi list a Cremant de Jura for €9.99 that hasn't change price in years! Cremant de Limoux can be very classy and we're tasting one today from Molloys.
One of my consistently favourite Champagnes is Tesco Premier Cru, €29.99. It's still a great buy but this year Aldi have a wine that pips it on price and quality, Janisson Grand Cru €26.99. There regular Champagne, Veuve Monsigny, €19.99, is also good. They have a magnum, €39.99, which looks impressive, called Charles Mignon and it's good. I'm a fan too of H. Blin at Superquinn for €32. Enjoy yourself this season
Wines Tasted on the Show
Prima Perla Cremant de Limoux, Molloys, €19.99.
Impress your friends by telling tham that Limoux has been making sparkling wine longer, since the 1500s, than Champagne. So they know what they are doing. This is made from Chardonnay, Chenin, Pinot Noir and Mauzac.
Prima Perla Cremant de Limoux, Molloys, €19.99.
Impress your friends by telling tham that Limoux has been making sparkling wine longer, since the 1500s, than Champagne. So they know what they are doing. This is made from Chardonnay, Chenin, Pinot Noir and Mauzac.
Janisson Grand Cru Champagne, Aldi, €26.99
A silver medal winner at the International Wine Challenge, at which I judge and worth at least that. It has a delicious subtle biscuit and cream character while still being refreshing. A bargain.
You can follow Martin on twitter at @winerepublic or read his column in the Sunday Tines each Sunday
