ON THE GRAPEVINE
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... CHAMPAGNES TO END THE YEAR ON A HIGH
COME the stroke of midnight on December 31, many of us will be over the moon to welcome in 2021! With a sprinkling of stardust and to chime with the chorus of good wishes, nothing beats a glass of champagne. Here are some of our favourites...
1CHAMPAGNE
COMTE DE SENNEVAL 2014, FRANCE,
£19.99, Lidl
A BRILLIANT demonstration of how to enjoy an exceptional glass of champagne for less than
£20. Rated 91 points (outstanding) by Lidl’s master of wine, expect a lovely biscuit intensity on the nose, a soft, creamy palate of pristine fruit and admirably long, fresh finish.
2CHAMPAGNE BRIGITTE DELMOTTE NV, FRANCE,
currently £17.99 (was £35.99), Laithwaite’s
A SMALL grower champagne with grand designs, could this be the sale of the century? With a lemony richness and just the right measure of buttery toast topped with a lovely chain of citrusy, floral notes, this medalwinning sparkler is on our gold list.
3 ASDA EXTRA SPECIAL VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE BRUT 2008, FRANCE,
currently £22 (£26), Asda
A VINTAGE that rocked, 2008 was not only cited as one of the two best vintages of the decade, but this A-list release from Louis Bernard romped home with a Gold medal at the International Wine Challenge 2020, as well as winning the
IWC Great Value Sparkling £26 and under. Rich and elegant with hints of brioche and pastry, it’s a champagne for champagne lovers.
4 CHAMPAGNE PIERRE GIMONNET ET FILS ROSE DE BLANCS, FRANCE,
currently £34.90 (was £42.62), Armit Wines
WITH pretty floral aromas and lots of crisp, berry freshness aligned with delicate, red berry flavours and fleeting hints of cherry on the minerally palate, this is a champagne that never wavers in purity and proffers a long, lasting freshness.
5 NICOLAS FEUILLATTE TRAVEL BAG ROSE NV CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE,
£35, John Lewis A CHAMPAGNE with the wanderlust factor, just because there are travel limitations in place, doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun with a pukka pink fizz
– dressed in a puffa. Youthful and vibrant with red summer fruits, we may be popping the corks ‘in in’ on the biggest night of the year, but these bubbles scream ‘out out’.