SEEING in the New Year with a glass of fizz as Big Ben bongs is as traditional as belting out Auld Lang Syne.
But there’s no need to splash the cash on celebration bubbles for 2024, with so many brilliant bargain bottles to choose from on the supermarket shelves.
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Whether you’re throwing a big New Year bash with lots of Champagne flutes to fill, or you just want a delicious glass of something cold and fizzy to sip at midnight, there are some cork-popping deals to be had.
From cash-saving real Champagne to pocket-friendly froths, drinks expert Helena Nicklin picks her top toasting choices and rates them out of five.
Porta 6 Sparkling Brut
Asda, £8 (down from £9)
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A NEW Year celebration doesn’t have to mean classic French Champagne – it’s a great chance to try something new, and this pretty Portuguese pop makes a lovely break from the norm.
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Made using a delicious blend of lesser-known local grapes, it’s a tasty tipple that is testament to the incredible value Portuguese wines offer.
This is mainly because they are still relatively unexplored outside Portugal, so try them while they are such great value.
Pair it with most dishes or sip it alone, and it’s a great gifting wine too.
Score: 4/5
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Allini Prosecco Spumante
Lidl, £5.75
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WHETHER you are throwing a do or just want a nice bottle of bubbles, this crowd-pleasing, value Italian sparkler does what it says on the tin.
Effortless, pear drop-scented bubbles that are easy drinking, and for the price there should be no complaints at midnight.
If you’re making cocktails using sparkling wine, such as bellinis – which should be two thirds Prosecco to one third peach juice – this is the one I’d go for.
“Spumante” means it keeps its bubbles better than the lightly sparkling “frizzante” styles, so it’ll stay frothy, and the peach juice will blend nicely.
Score: 3/5
Sainsbury’s Cava Brut
Sainsbury’s, £6
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GIVEN that this sparkling Spanish sipper is made in the same labour-intensive way that champers is – albeit with some local grape varieties – I’m always amazed at its incredible value.
A bottle of this fizz is a real stunner for only six quid – toasty, textural and tropical, it has buckets of brioche and a cool, chalky finish.
Cava is a great choice for seeing in the New Year, whatever your plans are.
It’s delicious to pop the cork and enjoy it on the sofa or it’s cracking with canapés of all kinds.
Score: 3/5
Radacini Blanc de Noirs
Morrisons, £7
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NOT your usual bottle of New Year bubbles!
Give your guests a flute of this and make a bet that they won’t guess where it is from, because you will probably win.
In fact, it is Moldovan, and if that was not unusual enough, it is also made with Cabernet Sauvignon – that beefy red grape that usually makes bold, still, red wines . . . yet this is a sparkling white.
It’s rather lovely. With a soft, pinkish tinge, it’s frothy and fruity with quite a lot of flavour going on for the price tag.
One to enjoy if you like Prosecco but fancy trying something new.
Score: 4/5
Stormhoek Fairtrade Moscato Rosé
Co-op, £5.35
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A BLINGTASTIC, jet-set type of fizz much loved by hip-hop stars, Moscato is a super-sweet sparkling vino that’s lower in alcohol (this one is 5.5 per cent) and a bit different from other sparklers.
This South African bottle is brilliant with berry-based puds such as pavlova.
It has tons of tart raspberry flavours, with a moreish, yeasty grapiness and a teensy touch of smokiness which stops it getting too sickly.
A great palate cleanser at pudding time, a very cool-looking label, and even better, it’s cheap as chips.
Score: 3/5
Veuve Monsigny Rosé Brut NV
Aldi, £12.99
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NOTHING beats celebrating with a bottle of pink Champagne, and this bottle from Aldi is an NYE winner.
It’s £2 less than its famous white version, which isn’t usually the case with real pink champers like this, and as rosé Champagne goes, this is the best-value bottle on the market.
With a big dollop of the red wine grapes Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, think spiced red apples slightly underbaked in a pie.
Ideal for parties, watching the fireworks on the telly or opening to enjoy on New Year’s Day.
Feels special and looks lovely in your flute – is it a bargain? Absolutely!
Score: 5/5
Champagne Veuve Delattre Brut NV
Lidl, £12.99
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IF only classic French Champagne will do on New Year’s Eve, then it’s time to indulge in the real thing.
Given rising costs in the wine world, 2023 is probably the last year you’ll find authentic bubbly for just over a tenner a bottle that’s still drinkable.
And at £12.99, this must surely be a loss leader for Lidl, as it’s an incredible price.
A bit of brioche, a bit of apple, it’s well-balanced and highly gluggable, so grab it while you still can.
It should be double the price, so it’s a total NYE steal.
Score: 5/5
Taste the Difference Pignoletto Brut
Sainsbury’s, £7 (down from £8)
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ANOTHER Prosecco-like bottle of bubbly, Pignoletto is an Italian grape that makes happy, quaffable and relatively inexpensive Italian fizz.
It has a very similar flavour profile to the more famous froth that tends to overshadow it on the shelves – it’s just a bit drier and a touch more savoury.
Perfect with canapés or blending into bellinis, it’s just a bit different and perfect for party time, so give it a go if you are hosting a gathering.
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A lovely drop for a toast and it won’t break the bank if you need to buy a few bottles.
Score: 3/5
This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
