It doesn’t matter whether it is Christmas or New Year, there will be a time this December when the fizzy and the flutes come out.
It’s a confusing time – do you go for Prosecco or Champagne, how much should you spend, does more money equal better plonk?
We put the supermarket’s festive fizz to a panel of News Shopper’s blind taste testers. There’s little conversation of floral tones and heavy noses, just a healthy dose of common sense – and absolutely no one spitting mouthfuls into a bucket.
Valdobbiandene Prosecco Superiore, £7.49 at Aldi
What they say
Exquisitely light and refreshing with pleasing bubble, attractive autumn fruits and delicate floral touches.
News Shopper’s verdict
Aldi’s prosecco has won a heap of awards but it won’t be winning any gongs with us. Our guys and girls generally thought it plain. We’re not so sure about delicate floral touches, though one of our testers said it was ‘woody’ and tasted like it had been watered down.
One reviewer wrote: “If your party lost its fizz as quick as this, you’d be sorely disappointed.”
- Score: 4/10
Tesco finest Bisol Prosecco 75cl, £8.99
What they say
A creamy and soft sparkling wine with expressive aromas and flavours of peach, pear, blossom and brioche.
News Shopper’s verdict
No mention of brioche but our testers picked up the fruitiness and liked the punchy, full body. Our testers were reasonably pleased.
- Score 7/10
Marks and Spencer Clementine, Cranberry and Pomegranate Bucks Fizz, £4.99
What they say
A sparkling cocktail made with white wine, clementine, cranberry and pomegranate juice.
News Shopper’s verdict
An out-there selection by M&S, this one divided opinion. At four per cent, it was the least alcoholic though we’re not sure about one of our reviewers’ suggestion ‘one for the kids’.
One drinker deemed it their favourite, describing it as ‘agreeing with the palette’ and having a lovely fruity and floral flavour.
Another wrote: “Reminded me of strawberries and bonfires”
- Score: Difficult to judge, with scores from 2/10 to 8/10.
San Leo Prosecco Brut NV Italy, £7.79* at Waitrose
What they say
Prosecco is a very popular Italian sparkling wine enjoyed in Venice and all over the world. Its aromatic bouquet, fresh fruity flavour and gentle mousse make it an ideal aperitif for parties and everyday celebrations. Just add some fresh peach juice for a delicious Bellini cocktail.
News Shopper’s verdict
Though they didn’t know where it was from at the time, it is fair to say we expected more from Waitrose. Word like ‘bland’ and ‘uninspiring’ came up again and again. They say you can never judge a book by its cover, but the wine certainly appears to be as dull as its label description.
- Score: 5/10
*usual price £10.49
Comte de Senneval Champagne, £11.99 at Lidl
What they say
Comte de Senneval Brut Champagne is a careful blend of the three Champagne grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. This Champagne has a fine bouquet, with elegant and complex fruit flavours on the palate. Perfect for any celebration.
News Shopper’s verdict
This one couldn’t be accused of being bland – our team found it citrusy with a good, sharp fruity flavour and a just the right amount of bubbles.
- Score: 7/10
Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut by Philizot, £11.99 at Aldi
What they say
Produced in collaboration with Champagne Phillizot, this is a traditional blend of equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Ageing in cellars four years more than the legal minimum has enhanced its complexity, elegance, length and balance.
News Shopper’s verdict
In a word, dry. ‘Drier than a camel’s backside’ was one reviewer’s opinion, thought they did concede – quelle suprise – that the more you drink, the better it gets. Another drinker thought it was a classic champers, fizzy and delicate.
- Score: 7/10
WM Morrison’s Champagne, £18.99 at Morrisons
What they say
Bubbly, floral and lemony with a hint of buttered toast flavour.
News Shopper’s verdict
Not one of our uncultured palettes could detect buttered toast, which is most disappointing. That aside, Mr Morrison’s self-titled champers was a real winner – great flavour with a hint of pear and a good tang (that’ll be the lemony-ness).
“Goes down a treat,” wrote one taster.
“A veritable paradise for the tastebuds,” wrote another. “Let’s have Christmas more often just to drink this.”
- Score: 9/10
What we learned
Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised but it turns out, roughly speaking, the more you pay the better the booze. It’s a little disappointing, though £11.99 is clearly a good price and Aldi and Lidl’s Champagnes both performed strongly.
In general, it seems Prosecco still doesn’t cut the mustard in the same way as Champagne.
Right, we’re off to Morrisons.
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