When you hear the pop of the cork, you know it is a celebration

Because of Christmas and New Year, December is the month for sparkling wines. From Champagne houses to renowned wineries from all over the world get ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve with these sparking wines.

N/V Zenato, Lugana DOC Brut, Metodo Classico, Italy, ABV 12.5%

The Lugana Sparkling Wine Brut of Zenato is made with 100% Trebbiano di Lugana grapes with the Metodo Classico. It has a light straw yellow colour with golden reflections and a fine, persistent and elegant perlage. The smell is intense with white flowers, pear, apple, peach and citron aromas. The taste is balanced and enveloping with a silky acid hint and freshness. It is perfect as an appetizer, with salty snacks and delicate vegetables, crustaceans or spaghetti with clams. (€22, La Maison du Vin)

N/V Maison Henriot Brut Souverain, France, ABV 12%

50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Meunier, with 30% reserve wines. Wines are put in reserve each year to incorporate them into a future blend. Thus, all the periods of the vineyard’s life are represented in the blend of Henriot Brut Souverain. Straw gold, bright and clear. A lovely bead in the glass forms a cortege of regular, delicate bubbles. On the nose, the Champagne offers magnificent, vivacious character. Citrus fruit aromas are followed by a cavalcade of floral bouquets, elderberry and vine blossom. Clean on the finish, with all the freshness of just-picked walnuts. Enjoy with roast pork, salmon or tuna, shellfish, mild and soft cheese. (€48, Oenoforos)

Contadi Castaldi, Saten, Brut, Franciacorta DOCG, Italy, ABV 12.5%

Franciacorta is a sparkling wine. Its colour is bright straw yellow with fine and persistent perlage. The nose is fresh and elegant, with hints of hawthorn, balsamic notes, bread crust and nuances of apple, figs and peanuts. The palate is soft but not sweet, with a pleasant freshness and flavour and a long dense finale. It is a fragrant wine that impresses thanks to its remarkable freshness and great balance between complexity and pleasantness. Excellent as an aperitif and perfect companion to any meal, especially delicate risotto with fish, also recommended with raw ham and cheese slightly seasoned. (€48, Wine & More)

2023 Ktima Kir Yianni, Akakies, PDO Amynteo, Greece ABV 12.5%

Amyndeon has evolved into one of the most promising Greek wine regions, and Xinomavro grape is a versatile grape variety making interesting sparkling wines too. In the glass the overabundant bubbles highlight the wonderful smells of Xinomavro. Attractive cherry colour, complex aromas. Intense aromas of red fruits. Refreshing acidity and mild, balancing sweetness. Ideal with everyday Mediterranean dishes as well as exotic cuisine, fatty fish, on its own or even at the end of the meal. (€18, Cava Dionysion)

N/V Bollinger, Special Cuvée Champagne, ABV 12%

Special Cuvée is the result of the delicate blending between harvest grapes and most reserved wines, including some aged in magnums for more than 15 years in Bollinger’s cellars. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier. The nose has beautiful aromatic complexity, full of ripe fruit and spicy roast apples, apple compote and peaches. The palate is a combination of pear, brioche and spicy aromas with notes of fresh walnut. Serve with any raw fish, prawn, crayfish, grilled lobster, poultry and white meat, Parmesan and good cured ham or mushroom ragout. (€62.50, Spectus)

N/V Philipponnat Royale Reserve Rosé Brut, ABV 12.5%

The blend of this rosé is 45% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier. It has a light, bright gold colour. Expansive aromas of nectarine and ripe citrus fruits enlivened by chalky mineral, ginger and floral nuances. At once broad and nervy, offering enticing fresh citrus and orchard fruit flavours and deeper lees and honey qualities. Finishes with strong thrust and repeating floral character. Enjoy with grilled or roast vegetables, sushi and sashimi, tuna steak or sea bream. (€60 My Vine Merchants)

N/V Ca del Bosco, Cuvée Prestige, Franciacorta DCOG Brut, Italy, ABV 12.5%

A spectacular sparkling wine, one of Italy’s best. Consisting of 75% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Bianco and 15% Pinot Nero. Pale gold in colour. On the palate there is a delightful fizz. Delicious flavours of peaches and biscuits. I can’t praise this wine enough – it is well worth splashing out on a bottle. (€55, Vinologie)

N/V Bruno Paillard Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, ABV 12.5%

100% Chardonnay. Very pale and shiny with green tints. The effervescence is lighter than in other Champagnes thanks to a less powerful bottle fermentation. While opening the glass, a touch of almond and toast appears. The effervescence is extremely fine, silky and creamy. The finish is fresh and long. Excellent as an aperitif, great with baked fish and divine with seafood. (€98, Icon Vines)  

N/V Maurice Grumier Réserve Perpetuelle, Extra Brut, Champagne, ABV 12.5%

This bottle holds a place of honour on Michelin two-star Saison’s wine list among the greatest bubblies in the world, and it deserves it. An extraordinary wine from one of Champagne’s best-kept secrets. A pale lemon-gold hue, with a fine mousse. Pinot Meunier 33%, Pinot Noir 33% and Chardonnay 34%. Fresh aromas of red and green apples, yellow flowers and chalk mingle with developing notes of poached pear, brioche, spice box, coriander, fresh mushrooms and toasted nuts. Layers of fresh and baked fruit, exotic spices, toast and hazelnuts are underpinned by a fine mineral character leading into a very long and savoury finish. Pairs well with fatty foods, seafood, salty foods like oysters, caviar or sushi. (€67, Punin Wine)