WE may not choose to celebrate New Year as we usually do – but celebrate we will!
Perhaps we can put the money saved from not going ‘out, out’ into treating ourselves to a nice bottle of sparkling wine, but with so many on offer which ones should we choose?
Here are some of my ideas for a top sparkler to enjoy on New Year’s Eve.
Champagne
Champagne has long been seen as the ‘celebration wine’.
Whether it’s for birthdays, weddings, or even a Formula One win – it’s the go to wine for many on a special evening.
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It is made by what is known as the traditional method – where a blend of base wines are put into the bottle and a small amount of yeast and sugar is added before the bottle is sealed.
The yeast eats the sugar and creates more alcohol, as well as carbon dioxide – a process known as second fermentation.
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The carbon dioxide gradually dissolves into the wine, creating the fizz.
The longer it’s left like this, the greater the toasty, bready or brioche flavours from the yeast become – a character which defines a good Champagne.
An excellent example of this style, and one that is on offer a super price, is Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Brut NV, £14 instead of £28 at Sainsburys.
- Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Brut Champagne, £14 from Sainsburys – buy now
It’s a classic blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier and is as crisp as a green apple but with lovely hints of peach and apricot and a toasty, bready character that’s really special.
Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne was established way back in 1785 and is one of Champagne’s oldest and most respected Champagne houses.
This is such a good offer on a really delicious Champagne – and one not to be missed.
Cava
Cava, from Spain, is made in the same way as Champagne but from different grape varieties.
It offers a perfect alternative to Champagne but without the same price tag. The Tesco Cava NV Brut, £5.75, is a great example.
- Cava Brut Non Vintage, £5.75 from Tesco – buy now
It has the same green apple crispness as the Champagne but with more lemon and grapefruit flavours and a slight nuttiness.
I always find that Cava has more of an ‘earthy’ character, not at all unpleasant, but which helps distinguish it from a Champagne.
Pignoletto
How about an Italian sparkling wine starting with P? No, not Prosecco but Pignoletto.
This wine, like Prosecco, is made is a slightly different way to the traditional method.
Here the base wine is placed into a large tank along with some sugar and yeast and the tank is sealed.
The second fermentation takes place in the tank, producing the fizz.
This process is usually much shorter that the ‘traditional method’ so the wine is fresher and fruitier – without the yeasty finish.
- Pignoletto DOC Spumante Extra Dry, £6.49 from Aldi – buy now
Aldi’s Pignoletto DOC Spumante Extra Dry, £6.49, is really delicious.
It has more of a floral aroma (think jasmine) than Prosecco with ripe pear, peach, apricot, a touch of tropical fruit and a hint of ginger on the finish.
As the name suggests, it is very dry and a perfect aperitif. It’s also very food-friendly and will pair perfectly with canapes, starters and fish main courses.
Non-Alcoholic
For those who prefer a non-alcoholic sparkling wine, try Noughty Organic Sparkling Chardonnay – £7.49 from Majestic as part of a mix of six.
- Noughty Organic Sparkling Chardonnay 0%, £7.49 – buy now
If you’re an ABC (Anything But Chardonnay), don’t be put off.
I recently showed this a private tasting and it went down a treat, even for the ABC-ers!
Alcohol plays an important role in the balance of a wine and when removed it can upset the whole taste and feel.
However Thomson and Scott have produced a really lovely and well-balanced wine.
The sparkle may not be as pronounced but it’s fresh and zingy with lemon citrus and fresh apple flavours
Neil is the Chief Tutor at Essex Wine School, and is running a number of online tastings (wine, gin and whisky) which can be enjoyed in the safety and comfort of your own home. They also make a fabulous gift for the wine lover in your life. For more details, click here.
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