Top four sparkling wines for Christmas | Alistair Gibson

Even though it is going to be a slightly different Christmas for many of us this year, I think we could all do with some festive cheer and surely there is nothing better at helping put a smile back on our faces than a glass of something sparkling.
By Alistair Gibson
Published 10th Dec 2020, 15:46 GMT
Updated 5th Jan 2021, 14:08 GMT
Hambledon Vineyard's sparkling wine.Hambledon Vineyard's sparkling wine.
Hambledon Vineyard's sparkling wine.

So here are some bottles of fizz that I will be opening this Christmas.

We are fortunate in this area to live in one of the prime vineyard regions in the country. Hambledon Vineyard, the UK’s oldest commercial vineyard, is still for me one of the leading producers and seldom does a celebration pass in our house without one of their wines being popped. Hambledon Classic Cuvée NV, Hampshire (£30 RRP available at hambledonvineyard.co.uk, local independent wine merchants and on offer Hermitage Cellars £24.95) is a blend of the three classic grapes and offers orchard fruits, orange peel and a touch of brioche on the bouquet, followed by a lively plate with green apples and for me a definite hint of oyster shells and a long finish. It makes a delicious aperitif.

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Another fizz I’ve long been an admirer of is Les Pionniers Brut NV (Co-op £18.00 on offer until January 1, also available to Co-op members for £15.00 while stocks last).

Looking back I have consistently recommended it and I make no apologies for it once again including it this year. Made for the Co-op by Piper-Heidsieck, for my money I think this is the best sub-£20 sparkling wine available on the high street. It offers a rich, biscuity nose with a creamy mousse and well balanced acidity, there is some complexity here before a lengthy finish. At this price you can happily mix with orange juice to make proper bucks fizz.

My two fizz treats this year would include Taittinger Prélude Grand Crus NV (John Lewis £55.00, Ocado £49.99, thechampagnecompany.com £39.50) which is a 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and pinot noir solely from Grand Cur vineyards. The bouquet offers elderflower, white peach and a dusting of lemon sherbet, the palate is quite broad but with great elegance and a long, expressive finish.

Gosset Grande Réserve Brut NV (Waitrose Cellar £50.00, The Wine Society £49.00, thechampagnecompany.com £47.00) is not only beautifully packaged but this is also a very classy wine.

There are baked apples, a little spice and some brioche on the nose. This is a gorgeous sparkling wine and very food friendly.

Related topics:Co-OpHampshire