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Budget bubblies beat prestigious brands

Best champagnes

An expensive champagne has let the bubbles go to its head according to the finding of the new consumer survey.

In a blind taste test by retail watchdog Which?, upmarket Moet & Chandon, which sells for around £30 a bottle, fell flat. It was rated lower than seven supermarket own brand products and came second to bottom, being marked at 79% for its "slightly medicinal" taste and "aggressive acidity".

While the Veuve Cliquot was judged as the overall winner with 90% for a palate of "an attractive, flowery note with toasty-biscuity undertones" and a "crisp, fresh flavour", Sainsbury's own brand bubbly came only a point behind and at almost half the price.

The £16 bottle scored 89% in joint second place with a more prestige H Blin & Co Brut (£25 a bottle). However the Sainsbury's champagne was voted as the 'best buy' for its exceptional value and good quality. The drink was praised for having a "full, dry and fruity" taste with "aroma notes of honey" and "lively mouse" (bubbly foam).

Another surprise was budget chain Aldi's tipple which can be bought for under £10 yet received the same score (84%) or higher compared to bottles at three times the price.

In the survey by the Which? Panel of experts, 14 different champagnes were tested and rated. Asda's own Extra Special Premier Cru received the lowest marks at 78%, only one mark below expensive Moet & Chandon.

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