With 2018 just a few days away it is time to start thinking about New Year’s Eve and where the celebrations will take place.  Wherever you are or whatever you are doing make sure you have a good glass of bubbles to toast the end of 2017 and the new beginning of 2018.  Here are a few of our favourites:

 
1 JN Sparkling NV, 75cl was £13.50 NOW £11.48
Made especially for us at JN by Bouvet-Ladubay the second oldest producer of sparkling wine in Saumur. The company works with over 120 local growers who produce grapes with the guidance of Bouvet-Ladubay oenologists. The wine is crafted in Ladubays high-tec winery in St-Hilaire-St-Florent. A high proportion of Chenin Blanc lends this sparkler a lovely richness and lots of ripe apple and white floral flavours with a hint of honey - yum.
This wine won a Gold award at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships, July 2017
 
2 Billecart Salmon NV, 75cl was £40.50 NOW  £34.43
"Beautifully understated, this offers fruit that's well integrated with the tight texture, giving a seamless, dry while also fruity wine. Just a hint of bottle maturity adds complexity. 90 Points " (Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Roger Voss, 2015)
 
3 Quinta Soalheiro Espumante Alvarinho 2016, 75cl was £17.50 NOW £14.48
This sparkling wine is made in the traditional method which entails a second fermentation in bottle followed by the various procedures that are followed in Champagne production. The wine is a yellow citrus colour with fine and persistent bubbles. Lovely aromas flow from the Alvarinho grapes and the wine shows a classy balance between acidity and alcohol. Citrus flavours mingle with mineral notes in a wine which shows excellent persistence and complexity.
This is a very versatile wine for accompanying a wide range of cuisine. It also makes an ideal aperitif.
 
4 Sartarelli Brut Spumante NV, 75cl was £15.79 NOW £13.42
Sartarelli was one of the estates featured in a May 2013 Decanter article entitled 'Italys Rising Stars' in which great praise was heaped upon this fabulous Marches winery. You know where an estates heart lies when you realise that it only grows and makes wine from a single grape variety. There is no equivalent in Italy to Sartarelli where the estates motto might as well be Verdicchio or Bust. (Decanter magazine May 2013). The sparkling wine is a new venture by the family and was described by the authors of the Decanter article as not unlike a good Prosecco in its charming upfront fruit and floral aromas and flavours. Crisp, dry and always elegant.
 
5 Forget Brimont Brut Premier Cru Rosé NV, 75cl £29.99 NOW £25.49
The non-vintage Champagnes are a blend of three different vintages of wine (allowing them to maintain a house style) and are aged a minimum of two years prior to release. Brimont's Vintage Champagnes are aged between three and ten years prior to release, this ensures that the Champagnes arrive at perfect maturity for immediate drinking, although they can be cellared for longer if required.
This Rosé Champagne is a blend of 60 % Pinot Noir 20 % Pinot Meunier and 20 % Chardonnay. The rosé colour comes from adding red Champagne wine to the reserve cuvee and through the delicate blending an intense and fruity bouquet is evident with ample mouth feel and great finish.