Put some fizz into your life with a bottle of bubbly
Forget cheap champagne, try one of my picks of sparkling wines from around the world at under £20.
Argentina
Chandon Rosé Moet & Chandon have had plenty of practice at making Argentinian fizz as they have been here since 1959. This offering cleverly use grapes from different altitude levels; resulting in a soft, delicate rosé fizz with a yeasty nose which is also rich and vibrant. £13.99/£17.99, Majestic Wine, www.majestic.co.uk
Australia
Jansz Brut NV The wild unforgiving cold climate of Tasmania is the source of Australia’s best fizz grapes. From Yalumba in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley, this is sleek, elegant and well made with a yeasty biscuity nose, bright citric flavours, hazelnut notes and a creamy silky finish. Very popular with tasters. £17.50, Oddbins, www.oddbins.com
Chile Montes Sparkling Angel Brut NV Cooler microclimates in Chile are finally being used to grow grapes for sparkling – and Montes’ fizz is one of the better efforts imitating champagne in its grapes and method. A well-made pinot noir dominant fizz with a toasty nose and fresh citric fruit palate. £15.50-£16.99, Oddbins; Valhalla’s Goat, Glasgow; Harrison Fine Wine; Fine Wine Co, Musselburgh
France Exquisite Crémant du Jura 2013 Philippe Michel Yet again Aldi stole the show for value with their chardonnay-based Jura fizz. Sleek packaging, crisp fresh citric flavours; what it lacks in toastiness and depth, it makes up for in fresh vibrancy to keep your party fizzing.
£7.99, Aldi, www.aldi.co.uk
Crémant du Jura Brut NV Domaine de
Montbourgeau
A nutty chardonnay for those who like fizz very dry. It says Brut on the label, but it seems Extra Brut to my palate without any dosage. Initially floral with zippy freshness and apple flavours; a touch rustic on the finish. An interesting find made by a small nine hectare family estate run by third generation winemaker Nicole Deriaux near L’etoile town in Jura. £13.50, The Wine Society, www.thewinesociety.com
Berry Bros & Rudd Crémant de Limoux NV Antech I am a big fan of Limoux’s elegant traditional method crémants; they have a purity, minerality, honeyed spicy character and textural richness. Predominantly chardonnay, with Limoux’s classic addition of 15 per cent chenin blanc and mauzac in the blend. Made by the long established Antech family. £12.25, Berry Bros & Rudd, www.bbr.com
Crémant d’alsace Kuehn Brut Cuvée Prestige Something a little different. A creamy fizz based on pinot blanc, with lots of local flavour, it has charming pear and lemon aromas and nuttyundertones. Froma traditional Alsace producer established in the 17th century, based in Ammerschwihr, a tiny village west of Colmar. £11.99, Virgin Wines, www.virginwines.co.uk
Crémant De Bourgogne La Croix Mont Oie One of the more expensive crémants from Burgundy from a young team in the Morvan foothills. Like many crémants it is chardonnaybased, but with pinot noir, gamay and aligote added for good measure. Exotically rich, complex, elegant and very impressive. £19.50, Berry Bros & Rudd, www.bbr.com
Italy Prosecco Superiore Lot 25 2016 Vinicola Follador If you can still find this exceptional small parcel of prosecco on Aldi’s shelves, snap it up. It has unusual herbal notes with stone fruit, apricot flavours, but is much richer and fuller than other proseccos I have tried; very stylish with a long length for the price. Smart packaging too which will definitely impress.
£9.99, Aldi, www.aldi.co.uk
Il Fresco Rosé Brut Villa Sandi A mix of glera, the white grape used for prosecco, blended with pinot noir. A delightful strawberry toned light rosé with cranberry fruit flavours and a dry finish. It hails from Valdobbiadene, in the heart of prosecco country made by the renowned Polegato family. £13.95, Valvona & Crolla, www.valvonacrolla.co.uk
Prosecco La Vi 2016 Canevel The pick of the proseccos we tasted. It might seem pricey, but you get what you pay for with its smooth, succulent, floral bouquet and apple flavours. You can serve this on its own as an aperitif or with shellfish. £17.95, Valvona & Crolla, www.valvonacrolla.co.uk
Spain Cava Conde de Haro Brut 2013 Muga You might well have heard of Muga, the family are among the top producers in Rioja. They have turned their hand to a traditional method fizz made from viura and malvasia. With two years ageing it has quite wonderful depth, rich toastiness and complexity. This has restored my faith in cava. £12.95, The Wine Society, www.thewinesociety.com Join Rose Murray Brown MW’S Champagne v Sparkling Wine Tasting at the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh on Thursday 23 November, £45, www.rose murraybrown. com