If you’re the kind of person who needs a good excuse to splash out on a bottle of bubbly, then Christmas and New Year must be at the top of your list. We’ve compiled a list of our top picks for this festive fizz season, so whether you’re looking for a good value option or pushing the boat out for something a little special, you’ll find something to suit.

Langlois-Chateau Crémant de Loire Brut
12.5% ABV
£18

This pale yellow wine is packed with tiny, tingling bubbles, made predominantly from Chenin Blanc, plus around 20% each of Chardonnay and Cabernet-Franc. After fermentation and blending are completed, the wine is matured on the lees for at least 24 months, which adds to the complexity nicely.

Festive fizz - Langlois-Chateau Crémant de Loire Brut

Langlois-Chateau is part of the house of Bollinger, and with so much experience behind this Brut, there is no wonder it has a rather special sparkle. There’s plenty of fruit on the nose – peaches and grapefruit invite you in — and once on the palate, there’s a little honey, too.

It’s fresh, delicate, and so easy to drink — perfect to toast the festive fizz season.

Klein Constantia Blanc de Blanc 2019
11.88% ABV
£21

This South African Blanc de Blanc is made with 100% Chardonnay grapes, which are harvested early to ensure freshness and complexity. After pressing and the first fermentation, the resulting liquid is aged in stainless steel tanks for seven months before being blended, bottled, and fermented for a second time. It’s then aged for 38 months on the lees, ensuring complex flavours abound.

Festive fizz - Klein Constantia Blanc de Blanc 2019

Klein Constantia Blanc de Blanc has a delightfully bright gold appearance, with an intense nose as you uncork. There are stone fruits and citrus, with lime and a hint of florals, too. There are buttery flavours and a hint of brioche on the palate, which work well alongside the fine bubbles, producing a creamy mouthfeel. The finish is long and crisp, with a hint of zesty acidity to keep you coming back for more.

Champagne Ayala Rosé Majeur
12% ABV
£38

Champagne Ayala Rosé Majeur is made using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, with just a touch of Pinot Meunier. A low dosage wine, meaning little sugar is added, this rosé displays the house style, spending around three years ageing on the lees and at least four months resting after disgorgement.

Festive fizz - Champagne Ayala Rosé Majeur

With a gorgeous pink hue, this will be a glass to grace your Christmas table. On the nose, there are lots of red berries and cherries, backed by subtle spices. Once on the palate, it is fresh and light, thanks to the high proportion of Chardonnay. The fruits keep coming, with red currants and gooseberries in there, followed by a long, rich finish with lingering fruit and a luxurious intensity.

Champagne Bollinger PN AYC 18
12.5% ABV
£95

As the PN in the title suggests, this offering from the house of Bollinger is made exclusively from pinot noir grapes, picked predominantly from the Grand Cru village of Aÿ. This is the fourth edition in Bollinger’s limited PN range, which concentrates on the 2018 vintage. There are other reserve wines incorporated in the blend, with the oldest dating to 2009.

Festive fizz - Champagne Bollinger PN AYC 18

PN AYC 18 has a fabulous golden hue, with some bronze notes as it catches the light. On the nose, you’ll find sweet notes of honey and fruits, which blend beautifully with nutty notes of almonds and some citrus in the background. Once on the palate, the rich flavours fill the mouth, with citrus and subtle spices delivering a delightful freshness with a hint of acidity and salinity in the long finish.

If you’re looking for a treat to compliment your Christmas dinner, this is well worth a thought – or even better, save it for a little longer and toast in the New Year instead.

Sam Huff
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