Festive Fizz

CHAMPAGNE

Champagne is always appreciated as a gift and ideal for everything from celebratory toasts, to pairing with festive foods. While Champagne is sparkling wine, it can only be classed as Champagne if it comes from the region of Champagne in France. Champagne is made using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, and the ‘fizz’ must be created using a longstanding ‘traditional’ secondary bottle fermentation method.

A top choice is Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial NV, Champagne. This lovely, balanced, soft, refreshing and approachable style of Brut Impérial is a perfect match for festive staples like salmon blinis, prawns, brie and young goat cheeses. You can find it in Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco (£38.00 - £44.50).

CRÉMANT

Crémant is French sparkling wine made outside of Champagne, but in one of only eight regions. It’s produced using the same traditional techniques as Champagne, but from grapes prized in each of these distinct areas.

A top choice is Crémant du Jura, Jura, France. Available in Aldi (£8.99), this vintage chardonnay is a winner offering aromas of ripe pear, alongside floral notes. These are complemented by a lovely crisp and zingy character, and well-balanced fizz – making it superb as an apéritif, as well as with a wide range of appetisers, snacks, and light seafood starters like prawns.

FIZZ AROUND THE WORLD

Outside of these recognised styles of sparkling wines, there’s even more to discover.

How about festive fizz with a difference to surprise guests and make for a lively talking point? Sparkling red wines are a true gem and there’s no better starting point than Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Shiraz, South Australia. Available in Waitrose (£11), it’s rich and refreshing as an aperitif and intriguingly fabulous with turkey and vegetables.

Another fabulous must-try wine is Graham Beck Brut Non-Vintage, Western Cape, South Africa. Winner of The Sustainability Trophy at the Glass of Bubbly Awards, this top wine is made using the ‘Cap Classique’ method (the South African name for the ‘traditional’ Champagne method) using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. It’s fresh, but creamy and full of limey citrussy flavours alongside a brioche richness. Available in Majestic (£16.99, or £11.99 for a mixed case of six), this wine is fantastic on its own, or with festive cheesy nibbles.

If you’re keen on English sparkling wine, Nyetimber’s 1086 Prestige Cuvées are benchmark examples. Crafted by award-winning winemaker Cherie Spriggs, they’re produced in very limited quantities using grapes exclusively from West Sussex. Characterised by their superb balance, acidity, length and texture, both of these wines are delicious on their own, but also with food. Nyetimber 1086 Prestige Cuvée 2010 pairs nicely with seafood starters, while Nyetimber 1086 Rosé Prestige Cuvée 2010 is great with salmon, crab, and duck. These wines are available from Nyetimber and Majestic (£135 - £150 and £145 - £175 respectively).