NEW YEAR’S EVE FIZZ & WHITE

DECIDE your theme and stick to it. If it’s fizz, get some ice in and make a huge ice bucket; if it’s whites, don’t serve ‘meaty dishes’; if it’s reds, use your biggest glasses. But whatever you do, don’t forget to hide any special bottles left over from C

NV Winemakers’ Selection Prosecco Brut, Treviso, Italy (£7, Sainsbury’s) I HAVE made sure that my New Year’s Eve sparkling list includes a few bargains for larger parties. This is my pick of the inexpensive proseccos this year and it gains more depth of flavour with the clever addition of chardonnay and pinot blanc in the blend. Don’t be tempted to spend any more if you are throwing a big party. NV Tanners, Cava Brut, Traditional Method, Spain (£9.95, Tanners, 01743 234455, tanners-wines.co.uk) TANNERS is one of the most respected merchants in the UK and its experts’ palates have uncovered this sophisticated cava, which beats all competition by a mile while remaining just under the tenner mark. This is another cracker for larger parties. NV Les Pionniers, Champagne, France (£16.99, Co-op) IF YOU insist on buying champagne, then it will come as no surprise that Les Pionniers is my pick. This wine seems to crop up every year in my list because of its unbeatable value for money. Please don’t spend any less on champagne because you will be ripped off with a substandard wine. NV Louis Roederer, Brut Premier, Champagne, France (£42.99 reduced to £32.99 each for a Mix Six deal, Majestic) I HAVE selected one top-end champagne, albeit at a relatively competitive price, in this year’s New Year’s Eve wish list. If you are pushing the boat out, then Majestic has knocked a whole tenner off this stunning quality wine. 2014 Tesco finest* English Sparkling Wine, Kent, England (£17.50, Tesco) HUSH Heath makes this English sparkler for Tesco and it is a beauty. Bone dry and loaded with youthful vigour, this 45 per cent pinot noir, 45 per cent chardonnay and 10 per cent pinot meunier blend is about as inexpensive as our wines get, but it still packs a classy flavour and elegant aroma into the deal.