Two supermarket champagnes have come out on top when pitted against Veuve Clicquot in a blind taste test this month.
Ahead of the festive party season, a panel of eight independent wine experts gathered by Which? were tasked with sampling a selection of own-brand offerings alongside the renowned French label fizz.
Receiving the top score of 85% was the Co-op's Les Pionniers Champagne, priced at £22.75 for 75cl.
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Judges praised its "fresh fruity flavours, smoky notes and distinctive nuttiness" and described it as "a cut above the rest".
Next in line was Aldi's Monsigny Premier Cru Champagne with 81% which was hailed as a surefire "crowd pleaser" by one impressed panel member.
Priced at £21.99 for 75cl, the budget-friendly bottle is said to have "fresh fruit flavours, strong savoury backbone and a long, concentrated finish".
Following the judging, Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi, said: “Being awarded a Which? Best Buy for Champagne is hugely exciting for us, and it couldn’t have come at a better time with the festive season around the corner."
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Champagne is higher in price than other sparkling wines due to a costly and time-consuming production method.
Which? advises that "crémant and cava are the closest relatives to champagne in terms of style, as they’re produced using the same method, with secondary fermentation in the bottle."
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Crémant D'Alsace was highlighted as an affordable 'Best Buy' alternative, priced at £11.50 for 75cl.
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