Have yourself a bubbly little Christmas – Waitrose fizz is top of the pops in Which? taste test

Supermarket own-label champagnes – including a £12 bargain bottle – have beaten offerings from the most-celebrated champagne houses in Which?’s festive taste tests this year.

Waitrose Blanc de Noirs Brut NV (£23.99) clinched one of this year’s Which? Best Buy titles with the highest score of 82 per cent, thrilling the expert panellists with its fresh fruity fizz. Described as ‘lip smacking’ by one of the Which? taste testers, the champagne is smooth, clean and zesty and is without a doubt a great choice to kick off the seasonal festivities.

Narrowly missing the top spot with 81 per cent, the Co-op’s complex and savoury Les Pionniers Non-Vintage Champagne, which retails at £19.00, proved that you do not need to spend big bucks to swig first-class champagne. It also managed to earn the crown as this year’s cheapest Best Buy.

Also scoring 81 per cent, M&S’s Champagne Delacourt Brut NV (£20.00), another Which? Best Buy, was praised for its dark yeasty undertones and rich texture and was described as fruity, pleasant and dry in style – whilst packing a punch with its prominent acidity.

The third Which? Best Buy to score 81 per cent, Tesco’s Finest Premier Cru Champagne (£21.00), was admired for its toasty notes accompanied by toffee apple – making it an overall well-rounded fizz.

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Blanc De Noirs (£21.00) was hailed as lean and fruity with a high acidity that was balanced with a savoury flavour.

This year’s great value pick from the Which? expert panel was Lidl’s Veuve Delattre Brut. Despite costing just £12 a bottle, it earned a score of 77 per cent and praise for its subtle, complex aromas, fresh acidity and clean, fruity taste. 

Lisa Barber, Home Products and Services Editor at Which? Magazine, said:  

“No matter what your budget is, you can be sure that your celebrations will fizz with top-quality champagne for friends and family to enjoy this Christmas.

“Once again our taste tests have proven that supermarket champagne brands can more than hold their own against the famous champagne houses, delivering excellent quality and great value for money.” 

ENDS

Notes to Editors: 

  • Also tested: Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV, £38.00/ Taittinger Brut Reserve NV £36.00/  Lanson Le Black Label Brut, £35.00/ Piper Heidsieck Brut, £35.00/Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Brut, £28.00/ Sainsbury’s Landric Champagne Brut, £25.00/ Morrisons The Best Brut Premier Cru, £21.00 /Spar Marquis Belrive, £19.00/ Morrisons Adrien Chopin Champagne, £19.00/Aldi Philizot et Fils Blanc de Noirs Champagne, £17.99/ M&S Louis Vertay Brut NV, £17.00/ Asda Henri Cachet Brut NV Champagne, £14.50/ Lidl Comte de Senneval Champagne Brut NV, £13.49/ 
  • The Which? Champagne panel this year consisted of four experts comprising;
    •  Kathryn McWhirter, wine expert and co-author (with Charles Metcalfe) of The Wine and Food Lover’s Guide to Portugal
    •  Charles Metcalfe, speaker, author and co-author of the International Wine Challenge
    • Sumita Sarma, wine writer and founder of wine consultancy Sumlier
    • Peter McCombie Master of Wine, restaurant wine consultant, speaker, writer and critic
  • Prices correct as of 20th November 2021
  • Which? is the UK’s consumer champion, here to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Our research gets to the heart of consumer issues, our advice is impartial, and our rigorous product tests lead to expert recommendations. We’re the independent consumer voice that influences politicians and lawmakers, investigates, holds businesses to account and makes change happen. As an organisation we’re not for profit and all for making consumers more powerful.
  • The information in this press release is for editorial use by journalists and media outlets only. Any business seeking to reproduce information in this release should contact the Which? Endorsement Scheme team at endorsementscheme@which.co.uk.

 

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