Christmas is a great reason to celebrate with family and friends, and no celebration is complete without a few bubbles. We’ve tried a few options to suit all budgets, from champagne to crémant, and here are our top picks for sparkling wines this festive season.
Pommery Brut Rosé Royal
£40
Pommery has been creating Brut Champagne since 1874. It is famed for its fine, delicate Champagne, and this Brut Rosé Royal hits that same mark. It is fine and fruity, with notes of fresh red berries on the nose as soon as you pop the cork.
On the palate, those familiar flavours of a rosé are there, but with an elegant subtlety. The tiny bubbles make it robust yet creamy, with lively red and stone fruits dancing on the tongue. The finish is long and smooth, with hints of fresh minerality.
The delicate pink colour is courtesy of the blend of pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes. A great glassful to accompany a fruity dessert.
Louis Pommery England
£30
If you aren’t a fan of champagne, then some English sparkling wine is a great alternative. If it’s made using the same traditional methods as champagne, even better! Pommery was the first champagne house to launch an English sparkling wine and is based in Pinglestone Vineyard in Hampshire.
Louis Pommery England is made predominantly using chardonnay grapes, with a blend of pinot noir and pinot meunier to add flavour complexity. It has a delicate pale straw colour, which suits a Christmas table well.
On the nose, there are juicy orchard fruits, such as pear and apple, with a little citrus. Sweeter notes of peach can be found, too. On the palate, those flavours intensify, with the fresh, crisp fruits taking centre stage. The flavour is well-balanced, and the fine bubbles give a velvety mouthfeel. The crisp dryness brings a touch of acidity before the long, harmonious finish.
A very nice way to toast the season.
Arthur Metz Crémant d’Alsace Organic Brut
£15
Maison Arthur Metz has been producing wine in the Alsace region since 1904. The house now operates across three vineyards in north and south Alsace, covering a total of 85 hectares, among which there are eleven prestigious grands crus terroirs.
This organic, vegan crémant is a blend of auxerrois blanc, pinot blanc, pinot gris, pinot noir and riesling grapes. On the nose, there are plenty of apples and pears, bringing crisp freshness, with white flowers adding a floral hint and citrus notes adding zest. On the palate, those flavours continue, along with hints of white stone fruits, adding a little sweetness and creating a fresh, tangy mouthful with some complexity. The fine bubbles create a delightful texture before fading to a medium finish.
Lacheteau Crémant de Loire
£16
Lacheteau is based in Anjou and was founded in 1987 by André Lacheteau. This crémant de Loire is a blend of chenin blanc, chardonnay and cabernet franc grapes, made using the traditional method.
On the nose, there are summer fruits such as melon and peach with notes of crisp apple and warm brioche. On the palate, berries and citrus mingle in, bringing hints of sharp acidity to balance the sweetness well. The finish is long, crisp and very pleasant.
This well-structured wine works well with shellfish and would be a nice glassful to accompany a mixed buffet on Boxing Day.
Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Rosé
£12
Jean-Marie Calvet founded Maison Calvet in 1818 in the Rhone Valley, and in the 1850s, Calvet’s son Octave joined the business, establishing a headquarters in Bordeaux, from where Maison Calvet went from strength to strength.
Crémant de Bordeaux Rosé is a fragrant crémant, made using a blend of merlot and cabernet franc grapes. On the nose, it is everything you want from a rosé, with the aroma of soft red fruits and malty biscuits coming up to greet you. On the palate, there are flavours reminiscent of a summer pudding, with notes of citrus adding a little acidity and crispness. The finish is long and dry, enticing you back for another sip.
Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Brut
£11
A blend of merlot and sémillon grapes creates Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Brut, which is golden-yellow in colour with fine, persistent bubbles.
On the nose, you’ll find pear and green apple with hints of citrus and some toasted almonds. On the palate, the texture is soft and velvety, thanks to the fine bubbles, and the fruit is a balance of sweetness and acidity, which is tangy and fresh. Notes of faint yeast balance the flavours well. The finish is long and crisp, with subtle hints of lingering citrus.
A nice bottle to accompany most dishes, especially poultry, and at a great price, too.
