John Wilson’s sparkling wines that will not break the bank

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.

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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.

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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).