Supermarket own-brand champagnes have outperformed prestigious French labels in a blind taste test by Which?, with the Co-op and Aldi securing the top spots at less than half the price of Veuve Clicquot.
The Co-op’s Les Pionniers champagne achieved the highest score of 85%, praised for its “smoky notes” and “smooth creaminess”. At £22.75 a bottle, it impressed the panel as a budget-friendly festive option.
Aldi’s Veuve Monsigny premier cru champagne came a close second with 81%, earning a “best buy” award. The £21.99 fizz was described as a “crowd-pleaser” with “fresh fruit flavours against a savoury backbone”.
In contrast, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label brut champagne, costing £47 a bottle, scored 77%. While judges noted its “classy and crisp taste”, they concluded that cheaper alternatives were equally, if not more, delicious.
Natalie Hitchins, home products and services editor at Which?, said: “Our taste tests have found superb supermarket champagnes that deliver on quality and value, rivalling big-name houses.”
