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With Christmas just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start thinking about which Champagnes or Sparkling Wines to have on hand during the festive season. Our handy guide has you covered, showcasing the best bottles to help you celebrate in style.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Yes … I’m talking about Christmas.
Honestly, I just love everything about the festive season – the twinkling lights, the colourful decorations, the songs, films, and the food (oh, the food). But of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without sparkling wine.
And whether you’re attending gatherings with friends, family soirees, or hosting the big day itself, nothing signals that the party’s started quite like the sound of corks popping and bubbles pouring.
Sparkling wine is, after all, synonymous with Christmas drinking. But with so many options available, how do you choose the perfect bottle?
Well, here’s a roundup of our favourite Champagnes and sparkling wines – great for every budget, preference and food pairing.
Champagne: for effortless Christmas elegance
Let’s kick things off with a classic. Champagne is epitome of luxury and celebration – and when it comes to your festive celebrations, there are few bottles that add the same touch of indulgence.
Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée is a world-renowned Champagne – light, crisp, endlessly elegant. This non-vintage fizz has been recently re-blended to include a high proportion of Chardonnay (for creamy finesse) and Reserve wines (for extra layers of toasty complexity). Expect apricot and lemon notes with citrusy grapefruit and blossom aromas and a lingering finish. A classic choice for your Christmas celebrations.
There’s also Louis Dumont, a superb choice made by an esteemed family with over a century’s worth of experience … safe to say they know a thing or two about making exquisite wine! Louis Dumont is a Pinot-dominated blend and brims with red fruits, refreshing citrus and classic brioche notes.
You could also try Laithwaites Blanc de Blanc. It’s made exclusively for us in Vertus, one of Champagne’s finest villages. Blanc de Blancs is crafted only with Chardonnay grapes – which are sourced entirely from Premier Cru vineyards and matured for 30 months (that’s double the minimum). The result? A delightful toasty biscuit character with complex white blossom aromas.
Cava: a great budget-friendly option
Cava is proof that great sparkling wine doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s made using the exact same method as Champagne and delivers the same elegance – without the premium price tag.
And nothing showcases this more than ¡H! Barcelona Organic Cava Brut NV, which has the fine persistent bubbles from the Champagne method as well as the floral aromatics of local grape varieties. This Brut is from Cava’s quality heartland, sun-soaked Penedès – just outside of Barcelona. Here, the grapes take on a riper character than those from cool-climate Champagne. Expect juicy Granny Smith apple, citrus and floral flavours. A wonderfully refreshing fizz to share with friends and family.
Prosecco: the UK’s favourite crowd-pleaser
Prosecco is a big hit with wine lovers across the UK – and for very good reason. Deliciously light and wonderfully fruity, it’s a great ‘any occasion’ wine, especially at festive gatherings.
For the ultimate crowd-pleasing Prosecco, we’d recommend Casa Cantalini. It’s our No.1 bestselling Prosecco – and for very good reason. Glera grapes for this gem are grown on volcanic soils, which lends a crisp minerality to Casa Cantalini’s lively character. It’s a spumante, so enjoy a creamy mousse of mouth-caressing bubbles. Crisp orchard fruit flavours and lovely freshness. Delicious.
Alessandro Gallici is another top choice. So good, in fact, that one 5-star review says it “never fails to deliver”. Elegant and gently fizzy, with a lovely creamy texture, and ripe apple, pear and citrus flavours. It’s a tasty aperitivo – and great for mixing into festive cocktails.
Then you’ve Il Papavero from fizz maestro Scipione Giuliani. As a local lad, Scipione knows all the best grape growers in the Prosecco region. He went straight to the region’s best vineyards to source the grapes for this Italian sparkler. Great value, fresh and gently effervescent. What’s not to love?
Crémant: for something a little different
Crémant is the unsung hero of French sparkling wine. Crafted outside of the Champagne region (but still using the same traditional method), it offers delicate bubbles and refreshing juicy fruit and citrus flavours. Crémant is still largely under-the-radar, making it a superb choice to impress guests.
My top Crémant recommendation is Roche Lacour Crémant de Limoux. It’s our best-loved non-vintage fizz … of all time. Quite impressive. Expect generous ripe peach, pear and citrus notes on a gentle creamy mousse with a toasty richness. A superb choice this festive season.
And if you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative to pink Champagne, then Roche Lacour Crémant de Limoux Rosé is just the ticket. Bursting with fresh strawberry and a dash of peppery spice, this will delight and impress guests in equal measure.
Or could you try Château de l’Aulée Crémant de Loire. It’s made by Marielle Henron – a former Bollinger winemaker who set up her own estate in the Loire. This stylish sparkler is aged on its lees for 24 months which lends a gentle nutty complexity. Then, like they do at Bollinger, Marielle adds a dosage of older vintage, oak-matured wine to give it extra creaminess. Ripe pear, bright acidity and honeyed toasty notes. A real treat.
English Sparkling Wine: the newest sensation
English Sparkling Wine is soaring in popularity … and for good reason. Made using the same traditional methods as Champagne, it offers crisp, vibrant acidity that rivals even the finest French fizz.
Crafted by the award-winning Wyfold Vineyard in Oxfordshire, Windsor Great Park Release 7 is a shining star of English Sparkling wine. Expect delicate bubbles and a blend of apricot, ripe peach, cooked apple and citrus. Delightfully crisp with a lovely toasty length.
Offering the perfect balance of creamy richness and zesty freshness, Harrow and Hope Brut Reserve is another top choice. Complex, creamy and elegant.
There’s also South Ridge Cuvée Merret, a world-class sparkling wine made in the rolling vineyards of Sussex. Bursting with lively citrus, nectarine and toasty notes, it’s a great tipple on its own or with canapés.
Bubbles and bites: festive food pairings
No Christmas celebration is complete without the food … and sparkling wine is the ultimate paring partner. Why? Well, its bright acidity and lively bubbles make it incredibly versatile. It can cut through rich flavours, complement delicate dishes, and hold its own with dessert.
Of course, when it comes to food pairings, your personal preference is the most important aspect. Here are just a few of our recommendations:
Because of its toasty brioche notes and citrusy freshness, Champagne is a natural match for seafood platters, smoked canapés and creamy cheeses. On the big day itself, a Blanc de Blancs Champagne pairs beautifully with turkey and all the trimmings.
For those of you who love charcuterie boards with salty nibbles, I’d suggest pairing with Cava.
Prosecco is an excellent choice for topping up glasses during your pre-dinner conversations. It works brilliantly as an aperitif because its light and fruity. But you could also sip it alongside a slice of panettone.
On the other hand, Crémant works well with white meats or savoury tarts. And, because of its strawberry-rich flavours, you could also match it with a berry pavlova.
Pair your English Sparkling Wine with roast ham, an indulgent cheeseboard and … dare I say it, a mince pie!
About the author
Brogan Wilson
Qualified to WSET Level 2 Wine, Brogan is a relatively new member of the team, having joined in September 2023. She previously worked as the sole copywriter at a creative marketing agency, and before that, as a primary school teacher. At Laithwaites HQ, you’ll find her growing her knowledge, asking lots of questions, and crafting both digital and print copy. An ardent red wine drinker, Brogan is also fond of Crémant.
