Our team of food and wine writers have sipped, swilled and assessed the best champagne, cava, crémant, English Sparkling Brut and sparkling rosé on the supermarket shelves at the moment to bring you a definitive list of the very best champagne and sparkling wine you can buy for under £40 this Easter.
The food and drink experts on our judging panel this year includes wine writer Melanie Leyshon, and the team put all of the sparkling wines available in the shops at the moment through rigorous testing.
Melanie has been studying wine at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in London and has passed her WSET Level 3 Theory with distinction. As part of her wine studies, she loves to travel and explore wine regions around the world and meet producers who are creating more sustainable products and experimenting with lesser-known indigenous grapes.
For fairness, each product was assessed on flavour, aroma and appearance without the judges knowing the brand or origin of the wine. Judges then gave each bottle a score from one to five for every category, and then calculated the average to determine this year’s winners.
As well as an overall winner in each category, we've also shared our two 'highly commended' picks, many of which are currently on offer. See our guide to the best prosecco and champagne deals to discover where to get the most money off at the moment.
The best champagne to buy for Easter 2022
The best Champagne doesn’t always mean the biggest price tag or brand, as this bottle of Vintage Champagne from Aldi proves. As with any wine, individual preferences will play an important role in deciding what the best Champagne is for you and your loved ones this Easter, but this bargain vintage champagne consistently out sparkles leading brands in our opinion.
Our team rated the champagne's ripe red apple flavour, biscuity richness, full body and long finish and with high scores across the judging panel, this bottle was a clear winner.
Highly commended:
RRP: UK £21 | 12.5% ABV | Zesty and creamy with extra layers of brioche and nuts make for a lovely all-rounder – works well on its own, with canapes or fish courses.
RRP: UK £19 | 12% ABV | A perennial favourite that brings together refreshing green apple and lemon with brioche and biscuity richness. No surprise that it’s made by leading champagne house Piper Heidsieck.
Best crémant to buy in 2022
Crémant is sometimes overlooked, but actually this fizz can be just as good (and some might argue better) as champagne, it just doesn't have its origins in the Champagne region of France, so can't claim the name.
This champagne-style fizz from the Loire is made mainly from chenin blanc and a little chardonnay. Together they create magic: our judging panel were impressed by the citrusy and rich taste and found the fizz to have a good body and finish. Plus, Majestic is a reliable retailer for wine and this crémant is a great price from such an established seller.
Highly commended:
RRP: UK £12.75 | 12.5% ABV | Another wine that gives champagne a run for its money. Delicate bubbles, with lemon, green apple and biscuity make this a good match for seafood or canapes.
RRP: UK £12 | 11% ABV | An elegant, refreshing all chenin blanc bottle that lives up to its elegant label. Lighter in alcohol, it’s a good party opener or one to serve at the buffet table.
Best Cava
This delicious cava has been made using the traditional champagne method and the use of Cava grapes macabeo, xarel-lo and parellada creates something quite special.
The judges enjoyed the richness, plus the citrus and peach flavours of this spring fizz, and suggest that this cava would make the perfect pairing for a prawn cocktail or seafood salads.
Highly commended:
RRP: UK £5.29 | 11.5% ABV | An easy-drinking party sparkler. What it lacks in complexity it makes up for with its bright citrus and creaminess. Stock up for big gatherings.
RRP: UK £10.79 | 11.5% ABV | If you’re looking for an elegant fizz to serve with fish, look no further. Its rich nuttiness and fresh lemon make it a great match for smoked salmon or salmon en croute.
Best English Sparkling Brut
Made in Appledore Kent, this is a truly impressive English Sparkling Brut that would make a spectacular addition to your spread this Easter.
Elegant and well-balanced, citrusy yet spicy, our judging panel had endless, positive things to say about this bottle of Brut. What really made this fizz a winner in this category is that it has the same premium quality of a fine champagne, but it's made right here in the UK and doesn't come with an eye-watering price tag. Sip and savour with your favourite people or gift to your host - this is one Easter gifts for adults they won't forget in a hurry.
Highly commended:
RRP: UK £25 | 11.5% ABV | Celebrate the complex, well-balanced flavours, quality and the price of this fine brut. Maturation has produced nuts and honey to complement the citrus, apple and pear.
RRP: UK £36.99 | 12% ABV | A pale golden English wonder that can also hold its own among the best champagnes. The rich notes of honey and almond linger for a long finish.
Best Sparkling Rosé
There’s a taste of summer in every glass of this delicate pink rosé. It’s dry and creamy with complexity from a myriad red berries, citrus and orchard fruits that have been sourced all over England – from Kent and Essex, to East Sussex and Dorset.
Our judging panel were impressed with the fine prolonged mousse and fresh lemon tang on the nose of this gorgeous fizz. We recommend you serve it with appetisers and shellfish.
A more expensive fizz than others on this list, there also isn't the option to buy this rosé by the bottle, it is only sold in boxes of six. While this means you can get a top-class rosé for under £40, it also means a large initial investment in the fizz. Sip some over the Easter weekend, save some for a special occasion or give a bottle as a gift for couples for whom you need to buy a wedding present. Each bottle comes with a gift box, so it makes a perfect present.
Highly commended:
RRP: £39.99 per bottle or £25.99 when you mix six | 12% ABV | Packed with ripe strawberries, this will be the star turn of any afternoon tea. The citrus and cranberry notes also make it a good match for fish and white meat courses.
RRP: £14 | 12% ABV | The best New World Sparkling Rosé on our list, this fizz features a fine mousse and delicious creamy red berry fruitiness – meet the well-priced dry bubbly that consistently delivers. Its versatile and goes with salmon blinis or strawberries and cream.
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