Trvalý odkaz Pridané používateľom Anonymný (bez overenia) dňa So, 11/30/2024 - 04:23
'Tis the season for decadence and a touch of sparkle - and what better way to bring festive cheer than a fridge <br>
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full of fizz for parties and impromptu gatherings?<br>
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Champagne is admittedly my bubbly of choice - I love both poised, elegant styles with brisk acidity and the richer, <br>
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pastry-like, gastronomic pours. But with Christmas all about <br>
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sharing, toasting, and big get-togethers, stocking up is essential.<br>
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Consumer group Which? has named Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne the best Christmas fizz, outclassing Moët & <br>
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Chandon's Brut Impérial. The supermarket fizz costs just £25 <br>
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a bottle, but many popular Champagnes are priced over <br>
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£40.<br>
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With that in mind, I'm sharing my secrets for sparkling swaps <br>
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that keep both the palate and the wallet happy.<br>
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Bollinger Champagne, £58<br>
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Swap for? Langlois Crémant Brut Réserve NV, £15.95<br>
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Saving: £42.05 a bottle <br>
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For Bolly bling without the sting, head to the Loire Valley, where the Bollinger family <br>
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crafts this Crémant using the same traditional method as their Champagnes.<br>
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Made primarily from Chenin Blanc, which thrives in the Loire, <br>
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it undergoes 24 months of aging, delivering a Crémant with <br>
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depth that offers a charming twist on Bollinger's rich Champagne style - <br>
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with change to spare.<br>
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Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne, £280<br>
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Swap for? Roederer Estate Quartet NV, £32<br>
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Saving: £248 a bottle <br>
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Renowned producer Louis Roederer is the name behind the iconic Cristal Champagne - a prized choice among celebrities, especially <br>
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when served in a flashy jeroboam, complete with sparklers in the ‘VIP <br>
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section' of nightclubs. But if the £270 price tag brings tears to your eyes, try Cristal's Californian cousin, Quartet.<br>
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Crafted in the cool Anderson Valley, it offers a taste of luxury for almost a tenth of the <br>
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cost.<br>
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Laurent Perrier Rosé Champagne, £80<br>
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Swap for? Morrisons The Best Crémant De Limoux Rosé NV, <br>
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£12.50<br>
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Saving: £67.50 a bottle <br>
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If you're after something pink, grab this super chic Crémant de Limoux from Morrisons - delivering luxe for less.<br>
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With a delicate effervescence and notes of strawberries and cream, it hints at pink Champagne <br>
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at five times the price. And here's a little-known fact: legend has it that the art of fizz was first discovered in Limoux, in the South of France <br>
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- though our friends in Champagne may disagree.<br>
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Ace of Spades Champagne, £315<br>
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Swap for? Segura Viudas Brut Vintage Premium Cava, £12<br>
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Saving: £303 a bottle<br>
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For showstopping-style on a shoestring, skip Harrods, forget Jay-Z's red-carpet-ready ‘Ace of Spades' and head to Sainsbury's for Segura Viudas premium cava, complete <br>
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with a shield that's delightfully close to a spade. For the price of one bottle of that Champagne, you could bag 26 bottles of this classy cava - <br>
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and, honestly, after a few glasses, who's noticing the difference?<br>
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Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne, £89<br>
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Swap for? Fortnum's Franca Contea Franciacorta Brut NV, £26.50<br>
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Saving: £62.50 a bottle<br>
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‘Blanc de Blancs' meaning ‘white of whites' is the name for bubbles made solely from white grapes - typically Chardonnay in Champagne, delivering elegance <br>
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and finesse, à la Ruinart. Prices have crept up as Blanc <br>
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de Blancs become all the rage, but hop over the border to the hidden gem of Franciacorta in Lombardy,<br>
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northern Italy, and you'll find complex, vinous sips with plenty of flair, like this <br>
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Fortnum's pick.<br>
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Pol Roger Champagne, £55<br>
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Swap for? Graham Beck Selection Sparkling Wine, £13.50<br>
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Saving: £41.50 a bottle<br>
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I served these delicious South African bubbles at my wedding - quaffed in record time, with nobody realising it wasn't Champagne.<br>
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As well as my own big day, Graham Beck has made an appearance at state events for Nelson Mandela and Barack <br>
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Obama, earning it the title of ‘presidential pick' for sparkling wine.<br>
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And you'll save a few quid compared to other politician favourites, like <br>
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Pol Roger.<br>
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Mumm Champagne, £39<br>
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Swap for? Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige, £25<br>
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Saving: £14 a bottle<br>
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From Marlborough, New Zealand's premier region and home of top Brit sip, Sauvignon Blanc, comes a fresh take on fizz.<br>
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Blessed with sunshine and a cool climate, Marlborough produces wines that are vibrant and crisp.<br>
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Here, a blend of traditional Champagne varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier - offers <br>
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an easy-drinking, bright character, and a great value sub for Mumm's beloved bubbles.<br>
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Veuve Clicquot Champagne, £48<br>
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Swap for? Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut NV, £14.99<br>
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Saving: £33.01 a bottle<br>
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First launched over a decade ago at £12.99, Aldi has miraculously kept <br>
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their best-selling Veuve Monsigny Champagne under £15.<br>
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For a sprightly, quaffable style, it's unbeatable at that price - perfect for Buck's Fizz <br>
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at Christmas Day brunch, canapés, and a refreshing post-turkey sip.<br>
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It's worth mentioning that the Premier Cru label at £21.99 is a real step up and fantastic <br>
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value too.<br>
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Moët & Chandon Champagne, £44<br>
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Swap for? Chandon Brut Argentina, £23<br>
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Saving: £21 a bottle <br>
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From Champagne giant Moët & Chandon, Chandon Brut is a Champagne-style bubbly from Mendoza, Argentina.<br>
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If you're thinking Mendoza is known for its hot climate and big, bold Malbec reds, think again - Chandon's vineyards are situated in the foothills of the <br>
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Andes at over 1,000 metres, where cooling influences help retain that desirable freshness in the grapes.<br>
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For wine lovers craving more tips, don't forget to pick up a copy of my debut wine book, Wine: Taste Pair Pour - the perfect stocking filler <br>
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for everyone, from novices to connoisseurs. With every page filled with stylish illustrations and photos, it brings <br>
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the world of wine to life - dive in to discover your favourite grapes and styles, master the art of food pairing, and buy <br>
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and serve wine with confidence. Available at Amazon, Waterstones and all <br>
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major bookstores.<br>
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Feel free to visit my web blog ... ดอกไม้ใกล้มือสะดวกใช้ - http://xn--299a15ywuag9yca76m.net/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=59707
'Tis the season for decadence