Veuve Monsigny, Premier Cru, Champagne, France NV

If your budget can stretch beyond Veuve Monsigny's reliable generic fizz (£14.99), then this new Pinot Noir-dominant blend, with 20% Chardonnay, is a classy buy for the festive season. Crisp lemon sherbet acidity, toasty digestive biscuit characters and creamy strawberry length.

A tasty, consistently reliable, Pinot Noir-dominant Brut from Philizot et Fils that punches above its weight for the price. There's good acid backbone to balance impressive autolytic richness, and flavours of toasty almond nougat linger through a creamy finish.