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Bottom’s up
If money was no object – and my liver was made of cast iron – I’d drink champagne every day. Like the oft-quoted Lily Bollinger, I’d drink it when I was happy, when I was sad, when alone or with company. It was easy enough for her though – with a cellar of France’s finest fizz at her disposal she could have used it to brush her teeth. For the rest of us, sparkling wine – the fizzy stuff that doesn’t come from the venerated Champagne region – is a perfectly good alternative. While there’s some excellent sparkling wine now being produced in England, you’ll have to look further afield if you want to buy a bottle of fizz and still get some change from a £20 note. My tried and true sparkling favourite couldn’t come from further away if it tried. The widely available Lindauer Brut Cuvee and Lindauer Special Reserve consistently win awards for their big, toasty flavours. No self-respecting Kiwi would consider any kind of celebration – or commiseration (depending on how the All Blacks and the cricketers play) – without a bottle of Lindy. If you are buying fizz for a wedding, or just have a real taste for it, then try your local Majestic wine warehouse for a great selection of offers, such as buy two save 33 per cent. Remember that Majestic, along with most of the major supermarkets, can provide free glassware hire for your big day – ideal if you reception is being held in a marquee. More information on Champagne can be found at www.thewinedoctor.com or www.majestic.co.uk to shop online. |
