For great value summer sparklers, read on, says Susy Atkins

Spend a fortune on summer party sparklers if you really wish, but you certainly don’t need to. The fizz for a July or August bash – I’m thinking outdoors, around the pool or barbecue, dancing till midnight, or just off on a big picnic – simply won’t get enough attention to merit the opening of a deluxe cuvée champagne. It will be downed fairly hastily, probably with party snacks, or possibly turned into a cocktail.

It must, though, be refreshing and lively with plenty of tiny bubbles, and well-balanced, so not too sour or, conversely, too confected and sweet. Basic bargain prosecco feels a bit cheap and old hat this summer, so if you are going for north-east Italy’s simple but fun sparkler, trade up a bit. My firm choice would be the elegant and appley Valdo Oro Puro Prosecco Superiore NV, Valdobbiadene, Italy (11%, Waitrose, £13.49 down to £9.99 from Wednesday until Aug 13).

Cava isn’t considered often enough, but should be: its usually dry, snappy and crisp style really suits hot weather. M&S’s own-label Cava Brut NV, Spain (11.5%, £7) appeals with its lightly toasty, orange zest flavours, while Codorniu Rosado Brut Cava NV, Spain (12%, Waitrose, £9.49 down to £6.99 from Wednesday until Aug 13) is a very cheerful, red-cherryish drop.

The three here are my best bubbly buys this week. None of them is a champagne; if you are looking for that, but not wanting to splash the cash too much, make a beeline for the Co-op where the store’s excellent, lemonmeringue tinged Les Pionniers NV Champagne, France (12%) has £1 off at £18, but only until Tuesday.

FINEST CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX ROSÉ BRUT 2016

France (12.5%, Tesco, £12, down to £9 until July 29)

Bright and vivacious French pink fizz, made from chardonnay, chenin blanc and pinot noir grapes and aged one year on the yeast to deliver tangy strawberry and redcurrant fruit and a bready, brioche note, too.

EXQUISITE CRÉMANT D’ALSACE 2017

France (12.5%, Aldi, £8.29)

If you like your fizz extra crisp, mouthwatering and whistle-clean, bag this one from Aldi. A blend based on auxerrois, it has a bite of green apple and freshly chopped grapefruit but stops sort of sour. Fine on its own or one to mix with crème de cassis for kir royales.

GRAHAM BECK BRUT NV, METHODE CAP CLASSIQUE

Western Cape, South Africa (12%, Majestic, £15.99 or £11.99 in a mixed six until Tuesday)

A keen offer on a consistently wellmade, dry Cape sparkler. A blend of pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, produced in the champagne method (MCC in South Africa), it’s creamy and fairly rich, so pair it with savoury, pastry canapés.