Wine Box: Christmas fizz

Are you still foaming gently at the mouth from all that millennial champagne? Nearly a year on, many people I know turn pale at the thought of such a huge fizz binge at the start of the year. After all those drummed-up scare stories claiming there wouldn't be enough fizz to go around, it's now clear, if anything, the champagne makers overdid it.

Instead of there being too little, there was too much. Which is, of course, good news for us. In the run-up to Christmas and New Year there are quite a few discount offers on champagne as retailers attempt to reduce stocks. Sadly, some sparklers I've tasted this year have been a bit raw and acidic, but I guess that's not so surprising in the wake of last year's excesses. Here are a few of the better ones:

Sainsbury's Extra Dry Premier Cru Champagne (£13.99). Sainsbury's own-label fizzes are invariably pretty good and this is no exception. It's a dry, elegant fizz with a rich softness and an elegant mousse. Terrific at the price.

Waitrose NV Brut (£14.99). Lovely, gentle foaming style with peach and blossom aromas, and more than a few crumbs of biscuit. A humdinger of a bargain.

Champagne Jacquesson et fils Perfection (Mayfair Cellars, £22; 020 7329 8880). Very aristocratic, with a fine mousse and nutty, oatmeal flavours. The Jacquesson house has a fascinating pedigree and its champagnes are much admired and sought after in France. Worth tracking down.

Duval-Leroy Brut Premier Cru (£107.58 for six bottles; stockists: 020 8982 4216). Elegant, well-structured bubbly with a green-gold colour, fine bubbles and roasted aromas. Nice ap?ritif style and not a bad bet with turkey.

Fleury Vintage 1992 'Cuv?e 2000 et une Nuit' (Vintage Roots, £38; 0800 980 4992). From the Fleury vineyards in the Aube comes this subtle and finely crafted organic Blanc de Blancs. It has great integration of citrus, breadiness and acidity.