No one needs reminding of how difficult life has been at times since the unexpected events that landed us all in an unthinkable situation last March, and as we look to the future with vaccine-filled arms, we can only hope for brighter and better times ahead. Though the worse restrictions have been lifted, there are still a few lingering in place – there to protect us, of course – and when the day comes when we can fervently hug our loved ones and enjoy those long-awaited celebrations with no limitations, we will be doing so with gusto.
How are we planning to celebrate? With plenty of fizz of course; we will be gathering friends, and popping the corks on a few bottles of the good stuff, and if you would you like to join us in doing so, check out our top picks below for a fun, fizz-fuelled end of lockdown celebration.
Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso
Boasting style and quality, the Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso has a bouquet redolent of Golden Delicious apple, whilst the palate is appealingly marked by aromatic notes of honey, golden apple, white peach and acacia blossom.
Price: £11
Where to buy: Tesco, Morrisons, Slurp.co.uk
Freixenet Prosecco DOC
With a golden straw colour, Freixenet Prosecco has lively effervescence and fresh aromas of citrus, apple and flowers. Clean and fresh on the palate, with tones of ripe lemon, green apple and grapefruit. The finish is light and fresh.
Price: £12
Where to buy: Tesco, waitrosecellar.com
Wild Life Botanicals 0.5% Sparkling Wine
This summer raise a glass of sophisticated fizz without the slowdown – Wild Life Botanicals is a pioneering sparkling wine that is ultra-low in alcohol yet ultra-high in goodness. Crafted in Cornwall, Wild Life Botanicals is the first ultra-low English-made sparkling wine – just one 125ml glass of Wild Life Botanicals delivers a minimum of 15% of the daily reference intake of the active eight vitamins and minerals that are blended into the sparkling wine. Wild Life Botanicals is a refreshing choice for the conscious drinker at a time when the UK is witnessing a dynamic shift in attitudes to alcohol.
Price: £12.50 for a 70cl bottle
Where to buy: wildlifebotanicals.co.uk
Prosecco Rosé, Sea Change Wine
The eco-friendly fizz is from the picturesque Veneto region of North-Eastern Italy, evoking memories of sun-drenched holidays and the promise of sunnier days to come. Its red fruit vibrancy and refined flavour is the ideal pair for light pasta dishes and seafood.
As with all Sea Change Wines, the Prosecco Rosé is bottled to give back to the planet while offering the drinker a wonderful taste experience. Its packaging is minimised, with the unnecessary plastic wrap covering removed from the closure and its label is made from natural grape pulp. The bottle’s label features a unique sea animal illustration, hand drawn to demonstrate the impact of plastic pollution – something that has become more and more apparent as the pandemic continues.
Price: £12.99
Where to buy: seachangewine.com
The Emissary Prosecco DOC Rosé Treviso Millesimato 2020
The Emissary’s most recent discovery – a pale, crisp sparkling rosé to accompany long late lunches, celebrations and casual get-togethers. Light and easy drinking with a creamy texture and subtle notes of red berry fruits, this prosecco has a delicate pink hue with aromas of rose and eglantine is intensified by notes of delicious red berry fruits. The lively, vibrant nose perfectly matches the crisp freshness and elegant, fine perlage that lingers on the palate. Refreshing and fruity, perfect for al-fresco dining. It goes particularly well with shellfish and raw fish starters.
Price: £14.99
Where to buy: theemissary.co.uk
Borgo Antico DOCG Prosecco
Borgo Antico is the UK’s best-selling DOCG prosecco, which is the most prestigious appellation for Italian sparkling wine. A family-owned winery in the hills of Conegliano Veneto, all the grapes are hand-picked on the winery’s own vineyards where they avoid herbicides.
This 100% Glera wine has a brilliant straw yellow colour, an intense aroma of white acacia flowers, citrus, peach and pear. The taste is velvety soft to the palate which brings out a fruity, floral structure with a nice bite.
Price: £15.19
Where to buy: amazon.co.uk
Graham Beck Brut NV
This South African Champagne Method sparkling wine is made from Pinot Noir/Chardonnay grapes and is affectionately dubbed the ‘President’s Choice’, due to being served at both Nelson Mandela’s inauguration and to celebrate Barack Obama’s presidential nomination. With a fine mousse, fresh lime and creamy complexity, the Brut NV is intended to cleanse the palate, stimulate the taste buds and entice you to progress to the ‘next level’ in your tasting journey.
Price: £15.99
Where to buy: Majestic, Waitrose
Roger Goulart Gran Reserva Cava 2012
Made with the classic Cava grape varieties Xarel.lo, macabeo and Parellada, each variety is vinified separately. This is a sparkling wine with great intensity of ripe white stoned fruit and wonderful complexity from five years ageing on its lees. Good acidity provides a refreshing and lasting finish.
Price: £20.40
Where to buy: Luvians, Fountainhall Wine, Roberts & Speight
Adnams English Sparkling Classic Cuvee
A vibrant and zippy sparkling wine with delicate fine bubbles that has a golden colour with a slight blush tint. Flavours of tangy baked apples, with a plump creamy mouth-feel and a biscuity complexity.
Price: £22.99
Where to buy: adnams.co.uk
Adnams Champagne, Brut
Made using 80% Pinot Meunier and 20% chardonnay, this is a fresh and effusive champagne with scents of dried flowers and notes of fresh, ripe fruit.
Price: £22.99
Where to buy: adnams.co.uk
Oxney Sparkling Rosé
The Oxney sparkling rosé is a delicious, fresh, dry, gently foaming wine. One can find delicate aromas of raspberry, peach, and lemon on the nose and palate along with a light lees richness. The wine is bottle fermented and has extra weight due to the extended lees contact but is made to give a fresh, youthful mouthful. It is great on its own but will match a range of canapés as well as fish dishes.
Price: £26.99
Where to buy: corkk.co.uk
Adnams Champagne, Rosé
This rosé Champagne is a lively and grand choice for celebrations that require a playful hint of pink. The blend is dominant in Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, their red skins lending the beautiful colour to this elegant and rich rosé Champagne that’s soft and generous.
Price: £26.99
Where to buy: adnams.co.uk
Ridgeview Bloomsbury NV
Ridgeview’s signature blend, this award-winning bottle was the official wine served for the Queen’s Diamond jubilee and will age gracefully over time as the Chardonnay matures. Chardonnay dominant, supported by the fullness of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, expect a light gold colour with a fine persistent mousse. Crisp pear and white peach aromas are balanced by gentle honey notes, while the Chardonnay dominance brings finesse and fruit freshness and the Pinots add depth and character with a beautifully balanced finish.
Price: £28.99
Where to buy: waitrose.com
Hattingley Valley Classic Reserve NV
Hattingley Valley’s Classic Reserve is pale gold in colour with delicate and fine long-lasting bubbles – the perfect celebratory drink to toast a return to normality again. The beautifully complex bouquet combines aromas of green apples with creamy nougat, freshly baked brioche and delicate toasted notes from ageing in bottle. On the palate, the complexity continues with notes of soft lemon sherbet, biscuit and a subtle oak character. Refreshing and perfectly balanced, with a delightfully long finish.
Price: £30 per bottle or £35 with Union Jack gift box
Where to buy: hattingleyvalley.com
Bollinger Special Cuvée NV
Bollinger epitomise the elegance and breeding of well managed estate. Using only free-run juice and made from grapes that are, in the majority, from 1er cru and Grand Cru sites only.
Price: £37.99
Where to buy: houseoftownend.com
Jenkyn Place Blanc de Blancs 2015
This award-winning English sparkling wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes from the boutique vineyard’s 500 Chardonnay vines and is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Pair with a fresh asparagus tart or white meat, such as chicken in a light garlic and cream sauce.
This wine comes with many credentials including winner of a gold medal at the Wine GB 2020 awards and silver at the IWSC awards 2020 and World Sparkling Wine Award 2020 – winner of Best English Sparkling wine.
Price: £38
Where to buy: Jenkyn Place
Hattingley Blanc de Blancs 2014
Hattingley’s gorgeous new Blanc de Blancs 2014 is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, carefully selected from chalk vineyards in Sussex and Hampshire. Pale golden colour with a subtle green hue and persistent soft mousse, this Blanc de Blancs has vibrant citrus and green apple aromas layered with honey, nuts and hints of marzipan. The palate is beautifully balanced with refreshing crisp acidity and wonderfully integrated oak, that gives way to a creamy mouthfeel and long, complex finish.
Price: £39.50
Where to buy: hattingleyvalley.com
Exton Park Brut Reserve
This is an elegant sparkling wine with something for everyone, with enticing aromas of candied lemon peel, bread and butter pudding and brioche on the nose. The palate is smooth with creamy lemon, savoury pastry on a biscuit base and a delicious marzipan finish.
Price: £39.95
Where to buy: wineutopia.co.uk
Maison Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée Extra-Brut
A Multi Vintage Champagne, Bruno Paillard’s Première Cuvée XB is a very personal interpretation of the region and is the Maison’s flagship cuvée. A blend of the classic Champagne varieties: Pinot Noir; Chardonnay; and Meunier, the Champagne is lively and vivacious on the palate – thanks to the low dosage. Primary flavours of citrus, almonds, and toasted bread, followed by redcurrant and darker fruits are apparent. The palate is full and long with a refreshing finish.
Price: £40
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk, thewhiskyexchange.com
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut NV
With a label recognisable at twenty paces, this is a stand-out Champagne from a stand-out house. Behind this powerhouse of a Champagne lies Madame Cliquot, who founded the Veuve Cliquot house in 1772. Made with a blend of the three classic Champagne grapes – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – this wine combines richness and elegance, with citrus fruits and real freshness. Perfect aperitif material.
Price: £47.99
Where to buy: houseoftownend.com
Taittinger Champagne Prestige Rosé NV
Delicate salmon pink in colour, its aromas are fresh with wild strawberries and a hint of spice. On the palate this lively, fruity, fresh and elegant wine is balanced and smooth with good length and persistent flavours of crushed wild raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant. Overall, the Prestige Rosé displays charm and subtle harmony of flavours. The fresh fruit flavours make this Champagne the perfect summer aperitif. However, it also goes well with fruit-based desserts and selected cheeses.
Price: £52.15
Where to buy: champagnedirect.co.uk, thechampagnecompany.com
Ruinart Champagne Rosé
Since 1729, Dom Ruinart Champagne, the oldest champagne house, has been creating its champagnes in the spirit of innovation, purity and timeless elegance – characteristic traits of the Ruinart. Ruinart combines delicacy and subtle freshness, all from the finest grapes, skilful blending and extensive aging in 2,000 year old cellars, said to be the most historically beautiful cellars in France. Excellence and luxury combined within the distinctly shaped Ruinart bottle.
Price: £59.99
Where to buy: houseoftownend.com