Forget coyness about ‘fizz’ and take pride in your prosecco

FOR years party hosts reluctant to stretch to the expense of offering their guests champagne have disguised the cheaper alternatives on offer with sundry euphemisms, such as “fizz”, “bubbles”, or “bubbly”.

But according to those in the know, it is time we abandoned our coyness and proudly proclaimed our fondness for prosecco, English sparkling wine or even cava.

In a sign of the growing reputation of alternative varieties of sparkling wines, etiquette experts now advise that we abandon the illusion we are serving champagne. Indeed, they say, to pretend otherwise is itself now considered somewhat uncouth.

William Hanson, one of the UK’s leading etiquette consultants, said:

‘There used to be a stigma around it but that’s virtually gone now, it is a perfectly acceptable drink’

“Champagne is champagne, and when it’s not, calling it ‘fizz’ or ‘bubbly’ is not great. Any kind of euphemism is considered downmarket.

“If you’re serving Prosecco it is better to say ‘May I pour you some Prosecco?’. There used to be a stigma around it but that’s virtually gone now, and while it will never have the cachet champagne has, it is a perfectly acceptable drink.”

Even with cava, which carries the least social status of any sparkling wine, Mr Hanson recommends saying either “cava” or “sparkling wine”.

He added that its poor reputation was “a shame, as there are some very good cavas out there”.

On party or wedding invites where a cheaper alternative to champagne is being served, Mr Hanson recommends writing “drinks will be served”.

The number of acres planted with grape vines in England and Wales is expected to grow by 135 per cent. Over the next 12 months, UK producers will plant one million vines, increasing production by two million bottles a year.

Meanwhile, French vineyards have suffered as a result of the cold spring snap. Production has dropped to a record low, falling 17 per cent on 2016, initial projections from the French ministry of agriculture show.