Fizz for New Year’s Eve

by Martin Moran MW

With O’Brien’s Wines

www.obrienswine.ie

Fizzical Attraction

Saturday night is the night when more us get to make like racing drivers than on any other night of the year, which is to say that we’ll be popping fizzy wine corks while imagining that the members of the opposite sex find us irresistible as the clock ticks towards midnight. It’s a heady combination and while Champagne, with its expensive price, might be said to be something of an aphrodisiac – ‘you spent how much on that for me?’, the bubbles you pop and pour don’t have to be expensive to make the night a success. And of course, after the budget less of us can probably afford Champagne than this time last year.

There are any number of affordable Cavas and Proseccos out there including as I found the other day a Prosecco for €10 in Deveneys of Dundrum that Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has scored at 90/100. There are also increasing numbers of Australian sparklers for €10-15 in the supermarkets.

Champagne lovers will probably have their own favourite brands but there are still terrific deals to be had on Taittinger and Moet et Chandon in Tesco if the stock is still there. I’ve also said many times that I’m a fan of Tesco’s Premier Cru and I’d buy that ahead of either of those two famous names. Elsewhere M & S have a solid Champagne and sparkling range too.

Whatever you open, have fun and remember not to drink and drive.

Wines Tastes on the Show

Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rosé, €13-14 but currently €10 in Tesco & €11.18 in SuperValu

A reliable good value brand of bubbles whether rosé or the Pinot Noir/Chardonnay white. Expect some fresh clean berry/cherry fruit.

Bissinger Premier Cru Champagne, Lidl €22.99.

A bargain buy from Lidl. Not quite as good as the Tesco Premier cru but well worth buying. It shows the classic biscuit like flavour you should expect to get in good Champagne. Note Lidl also have a Bissinger Premier Cuvee at 24.99 reduced from 29.99. It good too and the label says it’s their deluxe cuvee

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