Supermarket champers bursts upmarket bubble

Published on Wednesday 18 November 2009 21:30

THE taste of some own-brand supermarket champagnes is better than some leading bubbly, according to Which?

The test by the consumer champion saw drink experts pit bargain bottles from high street chains against major brands such as Mot & Chandon.

While the list was topped by the 31.91 Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne Brut NV, which scored 90 per cent; close behind was Sainsbury's Blanc de Noirs Champagne Brut NV, which scored 89 per cent and sells for about 16.

H Blin & Co Champagne Brut NV, which costs 24.99 from Oddbins, also scored 89 per cent.

A brand carried by the Co-Op, meanwhile, the 15.55 Les Pionniers Champagne Brut, received a mark of 88 per cent.

One disappointment was Mot & Chandon's Brut NV, which came 13th out of the 14 champagnes tested, scoring 79 per cent. The experts were not impressed by its "slightly medicinal" aroma and "aggressive acidity".

Which? also compared sparkling wines and found the 8.99 Bluff Hill Brut (87 per cent) from M&S to be the best. The "vibrant citrus" scent and "well-balanced and refreshing" flavour impressed the experts.

Graham Beck Brut from Waitrose also performed well (86 per cent, 12.99).

The Griffiths Park Sparkling Brut (85 per cent), available from Morrisons and Asda, and Aldi's Philippe Michel Crmant du Jura Brut (85 per cent) were both scored as exceptional value at under 7.