823787 投稿者:
แพ็คเกจ ศรีบุญเรือง 投稿日:2024/12/16(Mon) 14:38
No.56110
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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 Mo?t & Chandon's Brut Imp駻ial.
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 Cr駑ant Brut R駸erve 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 Cr駑ant 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 Cr駑ant 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 Ros? Champagne, 」80
Swap for? Morrisons The Best Cr駑ant De Limoux Ros? NV, 」12.50
Saving: 」67.50 a bottle?
If you're after something pink, grab this super chic Cr駑ant 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, ? 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, canap駸,
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.
Mo?t & Chandon Champagne, 」44
Swap for? Chandon Brut Argentina, 」23
Saving: 」21 a bottle?
From Champagne giant Mo?t & 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.