CHAMPAGNE TASTE TEST

Bissinger & Co Grand Prestige (75cl), £17.99, Lidl A perfect pop and poured well with good foam and bigger than average bubbles. A darker shade of straw, the taste was so delicate it lacked any real substance. The exotic russet and gold label got us all excited for something special but while it was very drinkable, it lacked character.

Verdict: Inoffensive but not memorable 6/10 Louis Bernard Premier Cru Extra Special Selection (75cl), £19,

Asda A pale colour and not much foam but plenty of bubbles. It was crisp and clean with an apple tang that was just the right side of being too acidic.

Verdict: One to sip rather than glug 7/10 Taste the Difference Champagne (75cl), £18,

Sainsbury’s The aqua blue and gold label gave it a classy Fortnum & Mason look and it was a lively fizz. Smooth with deliciously warm peachy notes. Light and fresh, it slipped down a little too easily. Verdict: Elegant and light 9/10 WM Morrison The Best Brut Champagne, £19, Morrisons Opened with a very satisfying pop. A pleasant lemony flavour with a nice floral hint that was very easy to drink.

Verdict: Decent price for a decent bottle of fizz 8/10 Oudinot Vintage Brut (75cl), on offer at £21, Marks & Spencer This was creamy and rich, it was full bodied and packed with layers of flavour. It had depth and each sip was an absolute joy. While we wanted to rush, we made ourselves slow down and savour it.

Verdict: The perfect bubbly 10/10 Tesco Finest Vintage Grand Cru Champagne 2009, £25, Tesco Very pale with just the slightest hint of colour – and not a mass of bubbles. Dry, citrusy but we found it left a bitter aftertaste that neither of us was keen on. Verdict: Pricey and not perfect 6/10 Les Pionniers Champagne Brut, £16.99, The Co-op Light and lively with lots of bubbles. A crisp and fresh zingy flavour which left us wanting more. But we thought it was more like a prosecco. Verdict: Disappeared a bit sharpish 8/10 Champagne Veuve Monsigny Brut 2003 Vintage, £19.99, Aldi We were a bit surprised by the rich, darker golden colour and the lack of bubbles compared with the others on test. But it tasted like proper champagne with a nice warming honey hint. Verdict: The more you drink, the more you like it 9/10