Valentines Day Alternatives To Champagne
It's a default at this time of year that if you want to treat a loved one the only option is Champagne. Of course this is with good reason, what other drink could conjure such emotive stereotypes?
But, what if you want something less stereotypical but equally as special?
We are lucky to have some of the most talented wine experts in the UK representing our merchants so we put this question to them to see what they would advise is the best alternative.
Prosecco
Prosecco is often called ‘Italy’s alternative to Champagne’ and has become increasingly popular and fashionable over the
past few years.
Prosecco Extra Dry Borgo Del Col Alto NV
£10.95
"Prosecco Extra Dry Borgo Del Col Alto is a Wine Hound customer favourite with its fruity bouquet and hints of flowers, honey and apple. Superb on its own to get the evening started or enjoy with shellfish."
Reduced to £10.95 – saving £12 a case.
- Roger @Wine Hound
Fantinel Sparkling Rose £13.99
"I'm going to choose the increasingly popular Prosecco. Well sort of. The wine I am recommending is Fantinel Sparkling Rose. It is made by a well known Prosecco producer but it is made from Champagne grapes, namely Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, rather than the usual Glera so it can’t be labelled as Prosecco.
Unlike many sparkling rose at this price it is dry which makes it a great wine to have both before your valentine’s day meal and with the starter as well. Classic strawberry fruits fill the palate and there's some herbal notes in there as well. It also slides down a treat thanks to its softer fizz than some of the cheaper champagnes you encounter these days, something common in many Proseccos."
Pick at least one other wine from the CellarVie Valentine's selection and they will deliver them for free.
- Simon @CellarVie Wines
Cava
Cava is next obvious choice for the sparkling lovers, we asked Your Favourite Wines experts to suggest a classy cava for Valentines:
Anna de Codorniu Rose Brut NV £10.99
"The most popular sparkling rose on our site at the moment is the refreshing Anna de Codorniu Rose Brut. Anna de Codorniu has become Codorniu's most emblematic sparkling wine both at home in Spain, where it is one of the best selling sparkling wines. This wine was awarded Bronze, IWSC 2009."
Save 15% off your order at Your Favourite Wines with our exclusive voucher code.
- Wine Advisor @Your Favourite Wines
Mont Marcal Cava Brut Reserva NV£8.95
Cava can either be a lovely fizz alternative or a poor substitute depending on where you’re shopping. We only have two Cavas on our list because we feel they’re the best examples we’ve tasted to date.
Mont Marcal Cava Brut Reserva is made using ‘secondary fermentation’ in the same way as Champagne and results in ripe apple and creamy flavours with a persistent mousse.
Available with a saving of £12 per case until 14th February.
- Roger @Wine Hound
The English Connection
Don't forget to also look to our own fair soils for inspiration. English Wine has seen a fantastic rise in popularity in the last few years and won many awards along the way. Here's what the experts had to say:
Gusbourne Rose 2009 £26.99
"In terms of style I would say the closest alternative to Champagne would be English sparkling wine. Their quality is rocketing up and some of the wines CellarVie Wines stock, Gusbourne Rose for example, I would genuinely take over champagne.
Produced in Kent, this wine has gained critical accliam from the likes of Jancis Robinson who scored it 16.5/20."
- Simon @CellarVie Wines