With the festive season upon us, many are seeking the perfect champagne to celebrate. However, rising prices—up 25-30 per cent in recent years—have led to the biggest sales decline in 25 years, pushing some consumers towards crémant or cava. Yet, for those determined to enjoy authentic champagne, experts have identified standout bottles available in supermarkets.
To qualify as champagne, the wine must be produced in France's Champagne appellation, a 100-mile radius, and follow the 'traditional method' involving secondary fermentation in the bottle and disgorgement. Climate change is making the region hotter and drier, benefiting English vineyards in Sussex and Kent, which now produce sparkling wines that some sommeliers consider comparable or even superior to champagne. Notably, French house Pommery planted vines in Hampshire in 2017 to produce English sparkling wine.
Among the top picks is a well-known champagne house that revised its recipe in 2017. Made predominantly from chardonnay grapes (around 55 per cent), it uses the first press for premium juice. Tasters praised its light floral notes, biscuity touch, and fine mousse, making it ideal for Christmas Day aperitifs.
For budget-conscious shoppers, a supermarket own-brand champagne at under £16 impressed with elegance and notes of freshly cut apples, peach, baked apple crumble, nutty hints, and buttery brioche. It has become a go-to bottle for many, proving that quality champagne need not break the bank.
