There is no better way to bring in the new year than with a glass of fizz in hand. Here is a brief guide to the best sparkling wines available from our multiples.
I am not a huge fan of Prosecco, but the Aldi Prosecco Frizzante Costellore (€7.99) and their Organic Extra Dry Prosecco (€14.49) are hugely popular. However, better value in my book is the Specially Selected Crémant de Jura, featured here (€16.99) and the excellent Veuve Monsigny Brut Champagne (€21.99).
Lidl has the very good Montaudon Champagne for a bargain €24.99, or the Organic Extra Dry (which confusingly means sweeter than brut) Prosecco for €14.49.
O’Briens has an excellent range of Champagnes as well as plenty of well-priced, exciting sparkling wines. Langlois-Château L’Extra (€20.45 down from €22.95) looks smart and has lovely textured mouth-filling fruit. The Beaumont des Crayères Grande Réserve (€34.95 down from €38.95) is an excellent Champagne.
Irish people are drinking less alcohol than ever. But there is one drink on the rise
Drinks distributor drops ‘Irish’ wine over concern about accuracy of label
‘Maybe we made a mistake’: The Louth vineyard facing questions over how much of its wine is from Irish grapes
Summer wines: four alternatives to your usual sunny fizz
I have been a fan of the Canals Nadal Cava Brut Nature Reserva (€21.95 down from €24.95) for some time now and would be very happy to have a glass of this on New Year’s Eve. The Crémant de Limoux featured here is a welcome new addition to the O’Briens range.
From Dunnes Stores, you could go for the François Martenot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut NV (€16.40), but for a real treat, I would splurge on one of my favourite Champagnes, the Lombard Champagne Brut Nature Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs (€40).
From Tesco, I can recommend two options, both from the Tesco Finest range — the Tesco Finest Prosecco Valdobbiadene (€17) and the excellent Tesco Finest Vintage Champagne (€45). And last, SuperValu has the Graham Norton Vino Frizzante Rosé (€11.49) or the Pierre Darcys Brut Champagne (€20) as well as the alcohol-free Freixenet Legero Sparkling for €8.
[ I want to spend €100 on a bottle of wine, what should I buy?Opens in new window ]
[ John Wilson’s top 20 wines, beers and spirits for 2023Opens in new window ]
Specially Selected Crémant de Jura 2020
Fresh and full of ripe apple fruits with a rounded finish. Perfect for new year celebrations, this offers good value for money, although I would be tempted by the Monsigny Champagne. From: Aldi, €16.99.
Salasar Crémant de Limoux
New to O’Briens a very stylish sparkling wine with succulent peaches and nectarines, plenty of lemon zest and subtle toasted almonds. From: O’Briens, a bargain at €18.95 (down from €21.95).
