Cheap champers

Starting next week the British high street chain Woolworths will start selling champagne for mere £5 a bottle. More than half the price of the cheapest champagne sold today, so one has to wonder if it really possible. Either Woolworths will make no money or the fizz will be undrinkable.

One might also wonder if it really is champagne, but it is. The strict French wine making laws only allows fermented wines produced in the Champagne area can be called champagne. And with a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, produced and aged for a minimum 18 months in Champagne it sure is the real stuff.

According to wine critic Jonathan Ray at The Daily Telegraph it actually tastes pretty good.

It's an appealing gold colour with faint hints of pink, and the enticingly frothy mousse is followed by a sturdy stream of fine bubbles.

On the palate it is crisp, rounded and fruity with good acidity and a long, toasty finish. It isn't dry enough for me, but I've had a hell of a lot worse at many times the price.

Personally, for me champagne is something you splurge on at special occasions and then I don’t mind paying a bit. But with lowering the price it means that I could have it everyday (not that I would), which then removes the festive, fun and luxurious feeling when drinking it.