Readers Digest UK - December 2021

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CHAMPAGNE AYALA BRUT

MAJEUR NV (£29.99)

CITRUS, FLORAL, WHITE

FRUITS A LITTLE WARM

BREAD AND A LOVELY

TOUCH OF HONEY

CHAMPAGNE GREMILLET

BRUT SELECTION NV (£23.99)

GREAT FOR CELEBRATIONS,

BUT EVEN BETTER WHEN

YOU FEEL LIKE A SPOT OF

SELF-INDULGENCE

IL COLMO PROSECCO BRUT
NV (£11.99)
EXTREMELY DRINKABLE,
WITH CITRUS FRUIT LIFTED
BY A CRISP PALATE WITH
VIVACIOUS BUBBLES

HENNERS FOXEARLE

ENGLISH SPARKLING BRUT

2016 (£39.99)

FRESH, LIVELY AND ELEGANT

SPARKLING WINE WITH

VIBRANT ACIDITY

DOMAINE BAUMARD CARTE

TURQUOISE CREMANT DE

LOIRE NV (£15.99)

A SENSATIONAL DROP LACED

WITH PEAR, APPLE, LEMON,

FLOWERS, AND SPICES

PARTNERSHIP PROMOTION

Much like Santa and Rudolph, sparkling wines

and Christmas tend to come as a pair. Whilst big

Champagne names like Moët or Bollinger may

be the obvious choice, there are lots of wonderful

bubbly alternatives to consider this festive season.

Add a little more

sparkle this Christmas

Explore English fi zz

A shift in British climate means grape-growing

conditions in southeast England now mimic the

Champagne region of France. Winemakers here

are using the classic Champagne grape blend of

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier to produce

exceptional quality, fresh, elegant English sparkling

wines with delicious notes of buttered brioche and

lemon nougat.

Other brilliant bubbles

Prosecco is the sparkling wine of choice for many.

Sweeter, less acidic, and fruitier than Champagne, it’s

very versatile and pairs well with a range of cuisines,

making it the perfect aperitif and celebratory Christmas

sparkler. Crémant is also a style of sparkling wine which

predominantly uses lighter, more delicate Chenin Blanc

grapes, giving fl avours of lemon and pear – delicious.

Cheers to Champagne

However, if Christmas just isn’t Christmas without

a glass or two of champers, why not swap the

big names for something a little more unique?

Champagne Gremillet is a small, family-owned

Champagne house. Their Champagne shows fi ne

mousse in the glass and fresh fl oral aromas, with

a crisp citrus fi nish. Champagne Ayala is another

great option. Producing the drier styles of top-class

Champagne, this is a truly boutique house producing

exceptional and intriguing fi zz.

festive

five