Chilled sparkling wine is a summer staple for many – raised at weddings, graduations, exam celebrations and casual drinks with friends. This year, three of the most prestigious titles at the World Drinks Awards went to a single UK supermarket, and the winner was hardly an obvious choice.
Lidl took home the World's Best Prosecco, World's Best Champagne and World's Best Crémant after blind taste tests by industry experts saw its bottles outperform luxury Champagne houses and well-known brands. Two of the winning bottles cost under £10. I sampled all three and came away thoroughly impressed, though one stood out above the others.
World's Best Prosecco
Lidl's Allini Valdobbiadene Conegliano Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry DOCG is priced at £7.99. Experts praised its delicate kiwi notes, soft fruitiness and "fluffy bubbles". In my own tasting, the fruitiness lent a pleasant sweetness while the bubbles were refreshingly subtle. It has everything you could want from a prosecco, and at that price it is extremely difficult to argue with. It will certainly be my go-to choice next time I fancy picking up a bottle.
World's Best Champagne
At the top of the price range sits Lidl's Champagne Bissinger & Co. Premier Cru at £24.99, which claimed the World's Best Champagne title. The judges commended its "elegant peach and sherbet lemon notes", along with hints of elderflower and "beautifully fine mousse". They described it as "elegantly complex without being loud" and ideal as an apéritif or alongside grilled seafood and shellfish.
Having sampled it myself, I found myself in complete agreement. It was bubbly and light, with a delightful texture in every sip. Despite the fruity notes, it was not overly sweet. The delicate flavour makes it suitable for a picnic, garden gathering or summer evening, and its price point means it needn't be reserved only for special occasions, unlike many champagnes.
World's Best Crémant
Marquis de Plagne Crémant de Loire AOC Brut from Lidl completed the hat-trick after being crowned the World's Best Crémant. Priced at £8.99, it offers fresh apricot aromas, a crisp citrus character and vibrant lime notes. Of the three, this was undoubtedly my personal favourite. It was delightfully fizzy and light, striking a perfect balance – neither overly sweet nor unpleasantly sharp – and I am already planning a return visit to Lidl for another bottle.
