Food

Best Fizz To Drink This Festive Season!

“Too much of anything is bad. But too much of champagne is just right.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald

Whether it’s with Sparkling Wine, Champagne, Prosecco, Cava or a non-alcoholic alternative, this festive season it time to raise a glass. ONIN.London has compiled a list of all our favourites to help you make the best decision.


ENGLISH SPARKLING WINES

£31 per bottle, £55 for a giftset with flutes

New for 2022, Searcys has launched its first-ever English Sparkling Wine. Not only experts in champagne, Searcys have partnered with Greyfriars Vineyard with this crisp and vibrant English fizz, made from a blend of three grape varieties. Handpicked and delivered with a personalised message, say cheers this Christmas with a taste of British.

Woolton Sparkling Bacchus Charmat 2017 750ml bottle 

A wine for lifting the spirits and raising a smile. This bubbly has a lovely scent of grapefruit and kiwi fruit leads onto a palate with tiny fine bubbles full of lemon, elderflower and cut grass. It’s marketed as  England on a Spring morning and we couldn’t agree more.

11.5% Vol. RRP: £22 

https://www.wooltonfarm.co.uk/products/woolton-sparkling-bacchus-charmat-2017-750ml-bottle 

Gusbourne Blanc De Blancs 2018

Bright golden in colour, with a fine, persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is full of citrus aromas, with lemon, pink grapefruit and orange zest, followed by notes of green apple and white flowers. The palate brims with honeyed citrus notes, ripe stone fruits and pear. There are delicate spice notes too, with hints of ginger and cardamom, alongside freshly baked pastry and toasted hazelnuts. The palate is vibrant, intense and complex, with a lingering mineral note and a long, elegant finish. It works well on its own as an aperitif but also alongside shellfish and seafood – think smoked salmon blinis before sitting down for lunch. RRP: £59

The full Gusbourne portfolio is available to shop online here.

Champagne / Brut

Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering for friends or welcoming the whole family for Christmas lunch, the Crémant de Loire Blanc de Blancs 2020, will ensure that even the most discerning drinker will be suitably satiated. Comprised of 100% Chardonnay – one of the classic sparkling grape varieties, this is a fine, harmonious, vintage, fizz perfect as an aperitif, yet complex enough to partner with your Christmas canapes. With floral notes on the nose this is a sophisticated, expressive sparkling, with notes of pear and apple. Lively, fine bubbles and a crisp finish. RRP: £17.99 (£14.99 with mix six offer)

Stockists: Majestic

https://www.majestic.co.uk/sparkling-wines/bouvet-cremant-de-loire-blanc-de-blancs-23348

For those wanting a slightly richer style, then the Trésor Saumur Brut 2018, is the perfect choice. Made from a Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay blend, the grapes for this wine are sourced from the Saumur AOP (known as the ‘Garden of France’) and vinified in oak barrels before the traditional sparkling process begins.

The fine structure of this wine allows the opulence of Chenin Blanc to shine through. Enjoy notes of citrus fruits and brioche, delicate bubbles and a complex palate with incredible length. RRP: £19.99 (£14.99 with mix 6 offer)

Stockists: Majestic

https://www.majestic.co.uk/sparkling-wines/bouvet-tr-sor-saumur-vintage-23418

Graham Beck Brut NV

Pinot Noir/Chardonnay

Affectionately dubbed the “President’s Choice”, the Brut NV was served at both Nelson Mandela’s inauguration and to celebrate Barack Obama’s presidential nomination. With a fine mousse, fresh lime and creamy complexity, the Brut NV is intended to cleanse the palate, stimulate the taste buds and entice you to progress to the ‘next level’ in your tasting journey.

RRP £15.99 | Majestic, North South Wines, Simply Wines Direct

Cava

CVNE Cune Cava Penedès, Spain

This cava is made with a selection of the best grapes of Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada. As a result of an accurate elaboration process and a second fermentation in the bottle we can enjoy this pale yellow cava with fine bubbles. This nose is notable for its fruity and floral aromas; in the mouth it is soft and very pleasant with a fresh and persistent after taste. It is perfect as an aperitif and to pair with rice, fish, sea-food, white meat, cheese and pasta.

£14.99  (£9.99 mixed six) | Majestic

Prosecco

Pasqua’s Romeo & Juliet Prosecco DOC Brut

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Verona is the hub of the Veneto region, where vines surround the lakes and Prosecco is the region’s lifeblood. This deliciously soft, fruity fizz celebrates the romantic legend which draws visitors to Verona. Lovers leave messages in the courtyard of ‘Juliet’s house’ – which also decorate this wine’s label. It a  Light, Aromatic and Fruity Prosecco which is full of citrus, apple and pear flavours, with a soft mousse.

£11.99 at Majestic Wine, also available in-store at Harrods Pizzeria & Pasqua Restaurant

Alberto Nani Vegan Prosecco

This elegant all-rounder has floral aromas and a crisp, mineral finish. It’s made with Glera grapes from the hilly vineyards of Italy’s Prosecco DOC region, where the mineral-rich clay soil and mild climate provide perfect growing conditions.

Available from Waitrose for  £12.99 usually it’s now on special for £9.99.

La Gioiosa Prosecco DOC Treviso

£10.00

Tasting Notes

Very pale straw and a fine, persistent perlage. The aroma is fruity with hints of ripe golden apple and small mountain flowers. The dry, fresh, and flavoursome sensation on the palate is followed by a fruity and harmonious aftertaste.

Pairing Recommendation

Excellent aperitif to accompany savouries. Ideal with steamed shellfish.

Stockists

Tesco, Morrisons, Booths, Amazon, Ocado, Londis, Nisa, Co-op and Majestic Wines

So what are you waiting for get stocked up this Christmas! It is Prosecco season after all!

Rosè Prosecco

Abbazia Prosecco Extra Dry Rosè

An elegant rose prosecco with intense aromas and subtly fresh notes of red fruits and pomegranate. Enjoy chilled as an aperitif or pair with pizza or lightly spiced seafoods. Available from Ocado for £9.99

Canti Prosecco D.O.C Rosè

A Rosè with a delicate pink colour and floral and fruity fragrance. It has a fresh, savory and elegant taste that makes the product perfect for an aperitif or to accompany light dishes and shellfish. Available for £9.00 from Tesco

Pasqua’s Romeo & Juliet Prosecco DOC Rosé.

Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine Wines is a family-owned Veronese winery with a well-established reputation for pushing boundaries. Over the years, they have produced a range of wines that are refreshingly bold and daring, while also remaining steeped in tradition and backed by three generations of family winemaking expertise. Named after the world-famous Veronese love story, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, these romantic bubbles are the perfect Christmas present for any Prosecco lover. This deliciously dry and elegant fizz celebrates the romantic legend which draws visitors to Verona – the perfect centrepiece for a party! £12.99 at Majestic Wine.

And for something a little different…

Biddenden Ice Cider!  A great sweet wine alternative perfect for after dinner Christmas drinks. The Biddenden Ice Cider 2021 is an intense, sweet, Ice Cider bursting with aromas and reflecting the best characteristics from Kentish grown apples. It’s undergone many winemaking techniques, so is a great alternative to sweet wines when enjoyed chilled. It can also be used as a versatile cocktail ingredient when paired with prosecco, soda, and a slice of green apple.

It can be purchased here: https://biddendenvineyards.com/product/biddenden-ice-cider-2021/ RRP £12.90.

Now for those who don’t drink alcohol, don’t worry we haven’t forgotten about you. You can also raise a glass of bubbly with everyone.

Remedy Kombucha

If you’re looking for for a healthier fizzy option this Christmas, or a delicious alcohol alternative, Remedy Kombucha is light and refreshing with the delicate sweet and sour notes of a traditional fermented kombucha, balanced by bold fruit flavours. Remedy Kombucha is made the old-school way, long-age brewed in small batches, delivering unrivalled quality and depth of taste, while also resulting in a drink that is free of sugar and artificial sweeteners, and packed full of live cultures, organic acids and antioxidants that can support gut health.
There’s also a flavour for everyone, with choices including Mango Passion, Peach, Wild Berry, Cherry Plum, Ginger Lemon, Raspberry Lemonade and Apple Crisp – we like Remedy’s Limited Edition Mystery Box, £16.99 for 12 x 330ml bottles in a selection of flavours, available online at remedydrinks.com.

LA Brewery Sparkling Kombucha

L.A Brewery Sparking English Rose

Available via the L.A Brewerywebsite, at Planet Organic, Wholefoods, Amazon, Ocado, Selfridges, prices start at £9.99 per bottle. Delicate and floral, elegantly easy drinking for picture-perfect sipping. The English Rose is infused with white rose petals and elderflower, delicately dry with a floral finish. A lovely non-alcoholic alternative to wine.

L.A Brewery Sparkling English Blush 

Available via the L.A Brewerywebsite, at Planet Organic, Wholefoods, Amazon, Ocado, Selfridges, prices start at £9.99 per bottle. Inspired by summer rosé wines, the L.A Sparkling Blush combines summer’s seasonal flowers. Infused with rhubarb, peach, elderflower, and a touch of hops. The Blush is delicate, fruity & refreshing. A lovely non-alcoholic alternative to wine.

Saicho Sparkling Tea

The perfect pack to explore Saicho’s range of luxurious sparkling teas. Presented in a beautiful box making this an ideal gift too. Designed to be served chilled in a champagne flute, Saicho sparkling teas are the ideal alternative to champagne or prosecco created to pair beautifully with food dinners, or as the perfect accompaniment to afternoon tea. Saicho has also announced a delicious pairing of their non-alcoholic sparkling teas with fine artisan chocolate created by The Chocolatier (www.the-chocolatier.co.uk) who supplies Michelin starred restaurants and prestige retailers such as Harrods and Selfridges.

To purchase visit 3 x 200ml bottles of Saicho Hojicha, Darjeeling and Jasmine

Cawston Press Sparkling Rhubarb and Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade 750ml bottles – the sophisticated and grown up non-alcoholic option

Case of 6 bottles from Amazon, RRP £20.99

Currently on Offer – 2 for £5.50 at Ocado 

Lyre’s

Introduced to the Lyre’s portfolio of meticulously crafted non-alcoholic spirits back in November 2021, Classico 750ml is an award-winning sparkling wine alternative that’s perfectly designed to elevate any occasion. With its classic, dry finish and aromas of fresh peach and granny smith, this mouth-watering alcohol-free bubbly means you and your friends can raise a glass in style this festive season – without the hangover.

For the festive season only, Lyre’s will be launching a special, limited edition gift box that will be sold with 750ml bottles of Classico. Each beautifully presented box allows you to customise a greeting note to friends, family and loved ones, enabling them to raise a glass of bubbly in style this Christmas and New Year – just without the alcohol. 

Perfect for those who are completely sober, or are simply moderating their alcohol consumption, Classico exudes quality and, priced at just £9.99 for the complete set (750ml bottle + gift box), is a stylish yet affordable gift for anyone to receive this Christmas.