FOOD & DRINK
MASI MOXXé BRUT 2017 (£14.49 All About Wine, £16.25 Corking Wines)
ITALIAN but not Prosecco with the dominant grape being Pinot Grigio (80 per cent) and the rest Verduzzo which is left to dry before fermentation. Masi are famous for their incredibly in-depth techniques which always make the most of the grapes which go into each wine. The effect here is rather like what you might expect: a rich, almost off-dry sparkler, with bags of apple character and elegance that ends up finishing dry and crisp. In keeping with Masi’s classic design chic this comes in a squatter bottle with a wonderful label.
CANEVEL VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE EXTRA DRY (Oakham Wines £17.95 / All About Wine £14.99) I’M often reluctant to buy Extra Dry Prosecco as the term indicates that more, not less sugar, is allowed in the wine than the brut version. Often that means the producer can use sugar to mask grapes that have been picked too early. Here though is an Extra Dry that disproves the rule. It’s rich yes but poised and elegant with delicate floral notes and a fine dry, finish.
BOUVET LADUBAY SAUMUR ZERO EXTRA BRUT (£17 Lay & Wheeler)
SAUMUR Mousseux is not Cremant de Loire but it might as well be. This is made from Chenin Blanc in an area where calcareous rock dominates, providing not only minerality but the cave-like cellars that are perfect for fermenting and maturing sparkling wine.
THE SOCIETY’S EXHIBITION ENGLISH SPARKLING WINE NV (The Wine Society £21) FOR this wine the Wine
Society has teamed up with Ridgeview in Sussex, an estate that has produced a vintage fizz for its flagship Exhibition range for the past couple of years. It’s made in a remarkably similar way to Champagne in the South Downs which are situated on the same limestone plateau. The grapes used are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier making for a wine with plenty of brioche notes on the nose and a lemon-drenched, complex palate that offers brilliant value for its price. This is apparently a popular buy with Society members and I can understand why – it’s outstanding stuff.
MOET & CHANDON IMPERIAL (Down to £29 from £36 Asda) A classic Champagne made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier balancing the biscuity, creamy, floral notes that the combination provides. There’s a richness here that indicates maturity while the freshness is very much intact. Moet NV Brut is also available in a cracker-style wrapping that makes an excellent Christmas dinner table presentation. The Imperial is a brilliant buy for £29.