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Shopper Squad - Sparkling wines

28/05/2009 5:24:00 PM, Prev Next

It's time to celebrate because now it's easy to find good quality sparkling wine for under $20.

The experts have shown us the best taste and value.

Henry Dawson-Damer is a wine specialist from Australia's largest wine producer, Foster's Group.

"The range is massive [and] the prices are very competitive at the moment. So if you are looking for sparkling, now is as good a time as any," he says.

Peter Dixon, wine judge and buyer for Dan Murphy's agrees.

"You can really get something decent for under ten dollars," he says.

Here are their top picks:

Best buys under $20:

Yellowglen

Omni

Sir James

Yellowglen Jewel (25 percent lighter in calories and alcohol)

And for special occasions (around $20):

Yarra Burn Vintage

Yellowglen Perle

Deutz

Veuve Amiot (French and affordable)

Australians drank three million bottles of quality French champagne last year — that's not including Australian bubbly. Sparkling wine can only be called Champagne if it comes from the Champagne region in the north east of France.

But how many of us can actually tell the difference? And does it really taste better?

Last May, Shopper Squad popped three very differently priced bottles and put them to the test.

Click here to watch the video

Wolf Blass $7.50
Grant Burge $22.99
Moet Chandon $56.70

And the winner is … Wolf Blass, the cheapest option.

Value tasting

Consumer group Choice has examined 67 different brands of fizz.

The Aussie brands passed the test with flying colours, according to Elise Davidson from Choice.

"Brown Brothers did well in the $12-20 range, and the Arras and Ninth Island - the Tasmanian Sparklings - did very, very well," she said.

Yellow by Yellowglen is $6.70 and it's great for a party.

Yarra Burn is made in the traditonal method in the Yarra Valley and has a tangy lemony flavor. Their non vintage starts at $16.99.

Some of the famous names producing non vintage styles are:

Bollinger: $84.15

Billicart Salmon: $94.99

Moet and Chandon: $56.70

Lanson: $50

Healthy option

Like most other food and beverage products there is a low calorie option. Yellowglen's Jewel is 40 percent less alcohol and 30 percent less calories, making it a top buy for $13.99.

Other things to consider

There is a huge range of sparkling wines on offer for under $20

Sometimes people prefer a cheaper brand because it's often a bit sweeter

Something that costs a lot to make doesn't necessarily translate to a final product

Shop wtihin your price range

Don't be afraid to stray from the well known labels

(NOTE: prices change almost daily, these are guide ticket prices)

Have you tried any of the products featured in our story? We want to read your review. Please enter your review in the 'comments' space below and we will post it online.

User comments

I have tried Jewel and I recommend as a low alcohol but do not drink another bubbly then change to Jewel. You can get Jewel in Picallo size as well which is great.

As an every day bubbly you can't go past Yarra Burn. For more expensive, agree with Jane above, Moet is overrated as is Bolinger, try Laurent - Perrier Brut 1997 from Dan Murphy's ( it's not cheap at $120), but better than the others.

If your following the wine trends and like Sauvignon Blanc like i do, then you need to try the new Yellowglen Vintage Leila, its about $16 and is just like Sauv Blanc only bubbly! It is crisp, refreshing, tropically fruity and perfect for lunchtime and warm weather festive enjoyment! I found it great with delicate natural seafood such as Rock Oysters, King George Whiting, Scallops, and it also complements the natural fruit based desserts. Also in the vintage range is Pinot Noir Chardonnay, Cremant and Bella.

I wanted to know the name of the 1st sweet wine shown at the beginning of the segment i think it mite of started with K. kind regards Stacey

I tried Charlotte from Rebello Wines, for the first time at the Mornington Food and Wine Festival and it is absolutely AMAZING. It's made entirely from strawberries but isn't as sweet as you expect it to be. It tastes just like a strawberry thats been floating in your glass of champagne for a little while. Moet Nectar Imperial used to be my favorite but at $22.50 for Charlotte this is going to be my drink for the summer. I'm not sure where you can buy it from but I've ordered a case from their online store rebellowines.com.au.

Just finished watching your special on budget bubbles. I find this to be an interesting conflict of interest. Normally your program espouses (or at least implies)a commitment to social and moral justice, defending the minority groups and general champion of the community. However I find you reporting on how cheap and easy it is purchase and socially desirable it is to consume alcohol. From the perspective of someone involved in recovering alcoholic support groups this appears to be merely advertising for the majority (alcohol retailers) at the expense of and lack of regard for the minority (recovering addicts). It is widely publicised and researched that there is an ever present problem drinking epidemic in Australia (correct me if I'm wrong but many of your past programs have detailed this plight). I can only assume that the advertising granted the unnamed alcohol retailer in this segment outweighed the concerns of a distinct minority group. Well done ACA, watchdog of Australia

All my friends are bubbly drinkers, too sweet for me, I prefer good old chardonnay. BUT! I tried the Sir James sparkling chardonnay WONDERFUL. Its dry as well as bubbles, its got my vote.

Brown Brothers Patricia vintage sparkling is beautiful. Fantastic with vintage cheese. Pity it's always limited production. Bubbly lovers in Perth, try shopping at Dan Murphy's. I heard from friends that they now have a store in Perth. We love it here in VIC. Great range, great prices. Don't think you'll pay more than $10 for Jewel there. Check out their website for their weekly specials. I shop there all the time.

I highly recommend Yarra Burn from Vic & Jansz from Tassie. They are equally as delicious as French bubbly (eg. Moet & Chandon, Veuve Cliquot) but a fraction of the price for around $20. Grant Burge is also great for under $20.

I love the Moet Chandon Nectar--the sweet one. Much much nicer than the local ones I've tried. I have to be convinced that something is worth paying extra nd I am! I paid $70ea recently for a birthday. Even the doubters could see and taste the difference.

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