XMAS EVE SPARKLING

2012 Codorníu, 1872 Vintage Cava, Spain

£11.99, reduced to £7.99, until Jan 3, Waitrose

NOTING the date in which Josep Raventós created the first Spanish sparkling wine using the traditional method (like champagne), this cava is a spectacular and unmissable bargain for parties and entertaining.

NV Maschio Prosecco, Veneto, Italy

£9, Morrisons

EVERY year I find a few really good Proseccos, such as this one, with none of the soapy notes that you see in lesser Proseccos. Sadly, we drink millions of bottles of substandard ones in the UK because we tend not to complain. If you stick to the best, you won’t go wrong and you will notice a massive difference on the palate!

NV Winemakers’ Selection by Sainsbury’s Blanc de Noirs Brut, Champagne, France

£20, reduced to £16 until Dec 13, Sainsbury’s

MADE from 60 per cent pinot meunier and 40 per cent pinot noir, this is a killer price. If you like mellow champagne without too much acidity and dryness, this is the very best on the shelves. It’s the sort you can drink all night!

NV Cloudy Bay, Pelorus, Marlborough, New Zealand

£19, Morrisons; £20, reduced to £16.99, Bon Coeur Wines, 01325 776446

THE great Cloudy Bay estate is not seen as much as it used to be, but Pelorus, its amazing sparkler, is still one of the most exciting around. Medium weight, lively and electric on the palate, this is a superb wine.

NV Nyetimber, Classic Cuvée multivintage, England

£32.99, Waitrose; £36.99, reduced to £24.99 until Dec 13 and £32.99 until Jan 31 on a ‘mix six’ deal, Majestic

NYETIMBER’S new release is a multi-vintage blend that takes to a new level the concept of layering flavour and complexity by blending like-minded wines together. If you are a fan, you will not be surprised to hear it is a cracker. If you are new to this winery, you will be dumbfounded by the class.