According to Which? the message is simple –
don’t feel you have to buy big-name champagnes if you want a good drinking experience. But also don’t feel you have to buy champagne if you are making a ‘champagne cocktail’ like buck’s fizz or kir royale because the taste will be lost – a sparkling wine will do. Unless, of course, you want to have the cachet of champagne, in which case it is another matter.
A tasting of 32 Champagnes and sparkling wines – ranging from Moet & Chandon NV down to a cheap supermarket cava – saw Sainsbury’s Premier Cru vintage 2000, (£22.99 on offer at £17.99 until 12 December) soaring above the rest. The judges praised the own-label offering for its “elegance and class” and “biscuity complexity”.
Poor old Moet came in at the 20th position.
Somerfield’s 2 Prince William Premier Cru Champagne NV (£14.99) was second, Pierre Gimonnet & Fils 1er Cru ‘Gastronome’ (£19.99 Oddbins) third and, surprisingly because I have always disliked it, Lanson Black Label NV was fourth.
If you are making use of the Threshers 40% Off Voucher then their Radcliffes de Brissar Champagne NV at £24.99 may be a good purchase, coming in at fifth.
The top 20 can be viewed on the Independent.
This is really interesting reading. I love champagne, but do not claim to be a champagne or wine buff – far from it! I recently bought my husband a bottle of champagne from Sainsbury’s. It was half price as a Valentine’s promotion and I got it specifically to make him a champagne cocktail. I should’ve saved even more money and got a cheap Cava!