10 best sparkling wines

8. Gramona Brut Nature Gran Reserva 2007 With strains of stone fruit and almonds, this Spanish offering makes a playful aperitif. £16.95, bbr.com
1. Sylvoz Prosecco DOC Treviso Le Colture Brut NV This family-run winery in Italy's Veneto region, produces some top-notch sparklers. It's not always worth paying for the DOC stamp, but in this case it just might be. Creamy with delicate floral notes. £10.99, corneyandbarrow.com
2. Jansz NV Tasmania's climate makes it perfectly suited to the production of champagne alternatives. Fresh, crisp and bright, this is well-balanced, with layers of nougat and peach. £12.99, reservewines.co.uk
3. Chapel Down Pinot Chardonnay 2006 An elegant wine from one of the country's most acclaimed producers. Fruity and characterful, it's not hard to see why this has garnered multiple awards. Strong enough to stand up to food, it can be paired with roast poultry for a simple supper. £24.99, englishwinesgroup.com
4. Organic Okhre Cava Organic, biodynamic, "natural": drinkers are putting more and more stock in how their wine is made. This cava offers a clean conscience as well as its subtle vanilla flavours. £9.99, marksandspencer.com
5. Cloudy Bay Pelorus NV The world-famous Cloudy Bay winery doesn't disappoint with this creamy, champagne-style bottle. A perfectly zesty aperitif with notes of apple and lemon. £16.99, majestic.co.uk
6. Cuvée Royale Meslier Brut Produced by Jim Irvine of Irvine Wines, it is the only 100 per cent meslier available from Australia and one of just a few in the world. The grape is difficult to farm ? but very rewarding. £13.75, houseoftownend.com
7. Lindauer Sauvignon Blanc Brut Refreshing and light, Lindauer offers a chance to enjoy New Zealand's most famous grape from one of their most established wine farms. At under £10, it's excellent value for money. £9.99, waitrosewine.com
9. Casillero del Diablo Brut Reserva Sparkling Chardonnay With its light, citrus-y tones, this wine makes an affordable alternative to champagne. £11.99, morrisons.co.uk
10. Bluff Hill Brut Very fruity, with a refreshing acidity, this New Zealand fizz from M&S is a dependable bet whatever the occasion. £9.99, marksandspencer.com
8. Gramona Brut Nature Gran Reserva 2007 With strains of stone fruit and almonds, this Spanish offering makes a playful aperitif. £16.95, bbr.com

The days of sickly fizz are no more – now there are some scintillating alternatives to champagne, as this array of crisp, delicious vintages shows

>>Click the image on the right to launch the gallery

Source: Independent



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