‘Not all fizz is equal’

Henry Columbine, MD, communications and co-head of regional offices at SEC Newgate, adds some bubbles to his Christmas hosting.

The explosion in prosecco drinking in the UK over the last 15 years – with the UK apparently importing over a third of all prosecco shipped worldwide – has taken some of the cachet out of a glass of bubbly.

Although I may have been too young to partake, I remember a time when fizz only made an appearance at Christmas or on special occasions. It was celebratory, expensive, and almost always French.

Bubbles are now more accessible than ever: it’s possible to pick up a bottle of fizz for little more than a fiver, and consequently the sound of a cork popping perhaps no longer initiates the excitement it once did.

Yet not all fizz is equal. A visit to my favourite wine bar and bottle shop – Grace + James in Kings Heath – opens up a world of carefully selected and interesting proseccos, crémants, Champagnes and pét nats that are perfect for gifts or a special occasion.

But for hosting over the Christmas period, my go-to mainstream fizz for bulk purchasing is Aldi’s Specially Selected Crémant du Jura, which is made in the same traditional way as Champagne but, as it’s from a different region, is just a fraction of the price.

With crisp green apple, floral and citrus notes, it’s light, fresh and dry. Each year we host a Christmas meal for friends and usually crack open a bottle or seventeen of this to accompany smoked salmon appetisers and distract our guests while I get stressed in the kitchen.

It may not be Champagne, but it’s a very good alternative which tastes suitably special for Christmas.