TASTE TEST: NON-VINTAGE CHAMPAGNES

Posted on 13th November 2015

In the second of our Christmas taste tests, we try a selection of non-vintage Champagnes to see which ones should be open at your Christmas parties. Click on the gallery to see the results

MORE: OUR VERDICT ON LUXURY CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATES

: JOINT WINNER: Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut by Philizot, £9.97, available from Aldi; aldi.co.uk What our tasters said: Easy to drink and not too fizzy, smooth and light in flavour. Frothy, delicate bubbles. Fruity light and and delicate, not too dry. Score: 3.5 / 5

: JOINT WINNER: Laurent Perrier Brut NV, £38.99, available from Waitrose. What our tasters said: Has butterscotch and marmalade notes, fruity and mature with citrus undertones. Very chattery in the glass with a good froth. Score: 3.5 / 5

: Waris Larmandier Sensation, £31, available from Champagne + Fromage, based in Brixton and Covent Garden; frenchbubbles.co.uk What our tasters said: Fizzy and fruity, dry woody tones with citrus flavours, very quaffable. Score: 3.4 / 5

: Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut NV, £39.99, available from Waitrose and Harvey Nichols; waitrosecellar.com What our tasters said: Medium body but quite sweet, with slight acidic undertones. Lots of small, chattering bubbles. Score: 3.3 / 5

: The Humble grape offers unique varieties of wine and champagne like the Bernard Lonclas Cuvée Prestige

: Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve, £35, available from WineTrust; winetrust100.co.uk What our tasters said: Full-bodied and complex flavours, lots of small, fine bubbles, smells very aromatic and there are hints of pear. Score: 3.1 / 5

: Bruno Paillard Blanc de Blancs Reserve Brut, available from Spirited Wines, locations across London; spiritedwines.co.uk (£38.99) or from Selfridges (£44.99) What our tasters said: The palate is quite dry and sharp, with floral and citrus hints. Not as much depth to this bottle as the other Champagnes. Medium-sized bubbles but goes flat quite quickly. Score: 2.9 / 5