The Best Champagnes And Sparkling Wines For Christmas

In the lead up to Christmas, with its festive social gatherings and office parties, your intake of bubbly is likely to go up... a lot.

Thankfully Which has hand picked the best champagnes and sparkling white wines on the shelves this year that are worth your money (and the hangover the next day).

An expert panel sipped their way through 145 glasses of fizz, narrowing it down to the winning eight.

The judges tasted 17 non-vintage brut champagnes costing £35 and under, as well as 12 sparkling wines priced at £12 or under, including crowd-pleasers including prosecco, cava and crémant.

A Piper Heidsieck Brut NV, £33, walked away with the top spot and a 81% score, described by judges as “decadent” and having an “aged, savoury edge and a smorgasbord of citrus fruits underneath”. How very fancy.

The most affordable champagne was Waitrose Brut NV, £20, which was praised for its aroma of “buttery baked goods” according to the judges who said it was a moreish choice to enjoy this Christmas.

Tesco’s Finest Prosecco Brut, £8, came out on top for the sparkling wine category, proving an affordable tipple that won top marks for its fruity, floral notes.

Here is the full list of winners and their scores.

Best Buy Champagne

1. Piper Heidsieck Brut NV, Sainsbury’s, £33 - 81%

2. Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV, Ocado, £35 - 81%

3. Waitrose Brut NV, Waitrose, £20 - 80%

4. Lidl Comte de Senneval Brut NV, Lidl, £11.49 - 77%

Best Buy Sparkling Wine

1. Tesco Finest Prosecco Brut, Tesco, £8 - 76%

2. Freixenet Cordon Negro Cava, Ocado, £11 - 75%

3. Asda Extra Special Selection Crémant de Loire, Asda, £8 - 74%

4. Aldi Angel and Four Masterstroke, Aldi, £10 (Available in store) - 70%