Trvalý odkaz Pridané používateľom Anonymný (bez overenia) dňa So, 11/30/2024 - 04:23
'Tis the season for decadence and a touch of sparkle <br>
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- and what better way to bring festive cheer than a fridge full <br>
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of fizz for parties and impromptu gatherings?<br>
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Champagne is admittedly my bubbly of choice - I <br>
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love both poised, elegant styles with brisk acidity and the <br>
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richer, pastry-like, gastronomic pours. But with Christmas all about sharing, toasting, and big get-togethers,<br>
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stocking up is essential.<br>
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Consumer group Which? has named Tesco Finest Premier <br>
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Cru Brut Champagne the best Christmas fizz, outclassing Moët <br>
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& Chandon's Brut Impérial. The supermarket fizz costs just £25 a bottle, but many <br>
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popular Champagnes are priced over £40.<br>
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With that in mind, I'm sharing my secrets for sparkling swaps that keep <br>
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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 <br>
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Bollinger family 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 depth that <br>
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offers a charming twist on Bollinger's rich Champagne style - 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 <br>
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Champagne - a prized choice among celebrities, especially when served in a flashy jeroboam, complete with <br>
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sparklers in the ‘VIP section' of nightclubs. But if the £270 <br>
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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 <br>
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almost a tenth of the 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 <br>
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for less. With a delicate effervescence and notes <br>
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of strawberries and cream, it hints at pink Champagne at five times the price.<br>
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And here's a little-known fact: legend has it that the art <br>
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of fizz was first discovered in Limoux, in the South <br>
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of France - though our friends in Champagne may <br>
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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 <br>
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of Spades' and head to Sainsbury's for Segura Viudas premium cava, complete with a shield <br>
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that's delightfully close to a spade. For the price of one <br>
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bottle of that Champagne, you could bag 26 <br>
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bottles of this classy cava - and, honestly, after <br>
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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, <br>
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£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 <br>
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for bubbles made solely from white grapes - typically Chardonnay in Champagne, delivering elegance and finesse, à la Ruinart.<br>
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Prices have crept up as Blanc de Blancs become <br>
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all the rage, but hop over the border to the hidden gem of Franciacorta in Lombardy, northern Italy, and you'll find complex, vinous sips with plenty <br>
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of flair, like this 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 <br>
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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 Obama, earning <br>
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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,<br>
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like 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 <br>
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sip, Sauvignon Blanc, comes a fresh take on fizz. Blessed with <br>
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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, <br>
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Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier - offers an easy-drinking, bright character, and a great value sub for <br>
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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 <br>
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kept their best-selling Veuve Monsigny Champagne under £15.<br>
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For a sprightly, quaffable style, it's unbeatable at <br>
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that price - perfect for Buck's Fizz at Christmas Day brunch, canapés, and a refreshing post-turkey <br>
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sip. It's worth mentioning that the Premier Cru label at £21.99 is a real step up and fantastic 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 <br>
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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, <br>
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think again - Chandon's vineyards are situated in the <br>
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foothills of the Andes at over 1,000 metres, where cooling <br>
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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 <br>
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a copy of my debut wine book, Wine: Taste Pair Pour - the <br>
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perfect stocking filler for everyone, from novices to connoisseurs.<br>
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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, <br>
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and buy and serve wine with confidence. Available <br>
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at Amazon, Waterstones and all major bookstores.<br>
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My homepage - ดอกไม้ใกล้มือสะดวกใช้ - http://xn--299a15ywuag9yca76m.net/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=59707
'Tis the season for decadence