Paying extra for champagne does not guarantee quality
Paying a bit extra for champagne does not guarantee quality, taste experts have found.
A bottle of Morrisons champagne costs only £19.99 and is a best buy, while a bottle of Veuve Clicquot is more than 50 per cent more at £33.49 and is “underwhelming”, according to the survey by consumer group Which?
The Morrisons best buy was described as subtle, with citrus, biscuity and apple flavours.
The top-scoring best buy in the survey was from Lanson, but shoppers do not have to opt for a fancy label to celebrate in style. Four of the best performers identified by the report were supermarket own-brands.
Champagnes from Morrisons and Marks & Spencer, plus bottles from The Co-Operative and Waitrose, all beat Moet & Chandon.
The taste test found different styles of champagne, from the youthful and fresh to the more mature, complex flavours of the high-end champagnes.
It suggested that ultimately the type to choose depends on how you are serving it and your tastes.
It added that if you are looking for something to serve as part of a cocktail, save some cash and go for a basic, inexpensive Cava.
