What better way to see in the New Year than with a sparkle! But whether you’re looking for a case or two for a party or a special bottle to share with those closest to you at midnight, the team at Wotwine are still working to ensure you get great value to ease the financial hangover at least! We’ve picked out a range, starting with some Prosecco and Cava that you can serve all night without feeling guilty about the January credit bill, as well as some Champagnes and sparkling wines for a small dinner party, a quiet night in à deux or simply to open for the midnight toast.
To start, a basic but good value Prosecco. It’s a perfectly decent wine and, at only £6.25 a bottle, you won’t feel guilty about mixing with fruit juice!
Bella Cucina Prosecco NV
From: Tesco Price: £6.25 Wotwine thinks this is worth: £7.00 Tasting note:Reasonable, clean wine with sweet green apples and ripe pears
Our team tasted a lot of Prosecco over the year and this is a standout example. You’ll find cheaper, of course, but this is a step-up in quality if you want something with more character and finesse.
As with our Christmas tips, our top value Champagne pick for New Year is from Tesco. This is an impressively well-made and characterful wine and for only £14.00 it is a bargain. We’ve tasted close to 15,000 wines over the years and this is in our Top 50 for value. Definitely one to seek out!
Champagne Louis Delaunay Brut NV From: Tesco Price: £14.00 The Wotwine panel thinks this is worth: £28.00 Tasting note:Gently floral, fresh wine with good mineral edge. Crisp and clean. Good intensity and balance
If you can’t get to a Tesco, or aren’t in their delivery area, a well-priced alternative is Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Champagne. It doesn’t quite match up to the Louis Delaunay in our view but sub-£20 for a decent Champagne is still good value.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Champagne NV From: Sainsbury’s Price: £18.00 The Wotwine panel thinks this is worth: £23.00 Tasting note:Simple, clean wine with some ripe apple and lemon sherbet character
For that extra cachet, why not stretch to one of the Grandes Marques, the luxury brands of the Champagne world. You pay a bit more (marketing budget, large company overheads etc) but there’s no doubting the consistency … and that extra glamour. This is also a really great deal from Asda so you can indulge without paying the extra. We like that!
Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV
From: ASDA Price: £22.00 Wotwine thinks this is worth: £32.00 Tasting note:Nicely made, complex wine with good depth and fruit character, warm spice notes and a long finish
Another classic Grande Marque Champagne to bring some luxury to your New Year is Laurent Perrier, currently 1/3 off at Waitrose.
Laurent Perrier La Cuvée NV
From: Waitrose Price: £26.49 The Wotwine panel thinks this is worth: £32.00 Tasting note:Textbook champagne with good fresh palate, nice fruit intensity with some brioche notes.
Another of our top Christmas picks was this vintage Champagne from Waitrose. It’s a seriously impressive wine for the money, with additional complexity from extra time on the lees prior to disgorgement and then in bottle.
Waitrose Vintage Champagne 2007
From: Waitrose Price: £25.99 Wotwine thinks this is worth: £38.00 Tasting note:Bright and mature wine with salted biscuits, lemon peel, chalky minerality and good weight.
Happy New Year from all of us at Wotwine. Have a great evening and we will see you in January with some more top tips from the supermarket wine aisle!
*Note – Prices and availability correct at time of research, we cannot guarantee that all stores stock the listed items and price may vary or be subject to change.
