Supermarket you’d never think of named best for champagne beating posh brands AND Aldi
The top bubbly for this year’s festivities has been revealed – and it’s by a supermarket you probably wouldn’t think of.
Beating a luxury champagne house as well as Aldi, the winner from Co-op costs up to half the price, Which? found.
The consumer champion asked a panel of four independent wine experts to blind-taste a selection of champagne to uncover the best.
Co-op’s Les Pionniers Champagne proved to be a corker with Which?’s panel, as it received the top score in the testing.
Scoring 85%, the bubbly impressed the experts with its smoky notes and fruity flavours of red apple, lemon and grape.
At £22.75, the experts thought it was a cut above the rest, praising its smooth creaminess, pleasing freshness and long savoury finish.
Discounter Aldi wasn’t far behind though, with its Monsigny Premier Cru Champagne at an 81% score.
The panel said the bubbly showcased fresh fruit flavours against a savoury backbone, with a long, concentrated finish.
Priced at £21.99, one expert called this fizz a “crowd-pleaser” and it was considered a great option that won’t blow the budget.
In good news for bargain hunters, these bottles were rated higher than the most expensive champagne the panel tasted.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne – costing £47 per bottle, received a score of 77%.
Although you won’t be disappointed by its classy and crisp taste, there are plenty of cheaper champagnes on the market that are just as – if not more – delicious.
Despite not coming first for their fizz, Which? found other supermarkets delivered tasty options too.
Asda’s Veuve Olivier & Fils Secret de Cave Champagne, £28, was a hit and experts said it was a full-flavoured fizz with aromas of spiced apple, red fruit and citrus.
Another fizz that proved popular was Waitrose’s Brut Champagne, £21.99.
It was described by the tasting panel as fresh and lively with lovely lemony aromas and a pleasing biscuity note.
For a cheaper equivalent to champagne, Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace, £11.50, impressed the experts.
The panel praised the refreshing and lightly fruity fizz, which had enticing aromas of apple blossom and toasted almonds.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? home products and services editor, said: “Champagne is the perfect way to toast the festive season with family and friends and it’s great news that this year’s top-scoring supermarket fizz costs less than half the price of an alternative bottle from one of the big-name champagne houses.
“Our taste tests have found superb supermarket champagnes and cheaper alternatives that deliver on quality and value for money and more than rival a famous champagne house.”
For the test, Which? asked each supermarket to nominate a non-vintage champagne costing up to £50.
If you’re keen to spend so much on bubbly, our expert has tested the best prosecco at supermarkets with prices from £5.50.
Plus, we’ve crowned our favourites among English sparkling wine.