Piper is not only one of the world's favourite Champagnes, it's also one of the greatest value-for-money authentic Champagnes available. Created by eight time winner of 'Sparkling Winemaker of the Year' at the International Wine Challenge, Regis Camus, this is a crisp and elegant Champagne with a depth and complexity that belies the price.

The house of Besserat de Bellefon was founded in 1843 near Ay in Champagne, and is now based in Epernay. The hallmark of the house is the lower than normal pressure that the wine is kept at under cork. This lower than normal pressure does not reduce the effervescence, but softens it, allowing the wine to partner better with food. Aspect: Deep, intense yellow Bouquet: Citrus, confits, honey, sweet spice, panettone, praline Palate: Generous freshness, opulence, purity, natural, exceptional Assemblage : Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier.

The house of Besserat de Bellefon was founded in 1843 near Ay in Champagne, and is now based in Epernay. The hallmark of the house is the lower than normal pressure that the wine is kept at under cork. This lower than normal pressure does not reduce the effervescence, but softens it, allowing the wine to partner better with food. Aspect: Coppery and bright, nuances of yellow straw Bouquet: Open and indulgent, wisps of linden blossom, honeysuckle, hazelnuts, mirabelle plum Palate: Harmonious, balanced, vinous Assemblage : Chardonnay I Pinot Noir I Pinot Meunier

Satin pale yellow with golden nuances and jade highlights. Fine bubbles herald a fresh and fairly rich Champagne. Flowery scents of honeyed, honeysuckle petals, fruit aromas of crushed pear, candied lemon and peach, and soft, creamy notes with biscuit and fresh bread crust unfurl on first pour. After airing, denser, fruity notes of fig and pomegranate with flowery aromas of lily and sunflower and spice notes of star anise and liquorice are revealed. Fleshy, fruit-driven weight develops on the palate complemented by citrus aromas of lemon and orange. The palate is upright, ethereal and generous. A blend of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier, including 25 to 35% reserve wines. Awards: • GOLD

Mumm 4 is a striking, modern reinterpretation of the champagne maturation process breaking all the traditional codes associated with champagne. This mature wine is clearly labelled to show the number of years spent on the lees rather than any specific vintage year. The look: Exuberant bubbles with reflections of gold, showing discrete maturity. The aromas: Complex ripe aromas of yellow and white fruit, peach marmalade and buttercream alight entice. The taste: Fresh, lively and rounded, yet with a tension that plays right through to the finish. Mumm 4 can be savoured slowly to enjoy the deep complexity or enjoyed matched with poultry with chanterelles and apricot compote, or truffled Brie.

Refined and elegant, the cuvée Brut Rosé is perfect addition to your evening aperitif or soirée. .Nose: Intense aromas of fresh fruits, predominantly strawberry and raspberry. Eye: Slightly rosy hue, beautiful pearl finish, with fine bubbles. Palate: Notes of red fruit and subtle spicy aromas.

The guiding principles of blending are the achievement of harmony and consistency. The White Foil blend is traditionally composed from around 80 still base wines, drawn from different vineyard sites (crus), grape varieties and vintage years. The blend contains approximately one third of each three grape varieties of Champagne. Pinot Noir contributes body, depth of character and life extending tannins, Pinot Meunier adds youthful freshness, vigour and plump fruit character while Chardonnay gibes lightness, elegance and firmness.

Reserved for a circle of insiders since 1838, Maison Mumm’s exceptional champagnes epitomize the excellence of its terroir and savoir-faire. True to this heritage, RSRV represents the only collection of five 100% Grand Cru cuvées. RSRV Rosé Foujita is a champagne appreciated for its elegance, fullness and power. The artist Léonard Foujita, a friend of the House, drew the rose motif which has decorated the bottle of Mumm rosé champagne since 1958. RSRV Rosé Foujita is a blend of six Grand Cru terroirs, bringing together Pinot Noir from Verzenay, Aÿ and Bouzy, and Chardonnay from Cramant and Avize. Red wine from Ambonnay, another Grand Cru village, is added to the blend, lending fullness and intensity on the palate, as well as aromas of red and black fruit. The grapes are pressed and vinified separately before being blended with reserve wines. The wine is aged for four years in the cellars, before the dosage liqueur, sourced from Grand Cru terroirs and matured in oak barrels, adds final notes of pastry and vanilla. The specific shape of the bottle, with its slender neck, enhances the evolution and conservation of the wine.

G.H.MUMM Millésimé 2006 is a luminous and bright golden yellow in colour with fine, lingering bubbles.The nose reveals a superbly complex wine: notes of apple and pear, with yellow fruit such as apricot and mirabelleplum. It then develops aromas of dried fruit and nuts with hints of pastry. After a strong attack, the wine developsgradually. It then reveals the increasingly perceptible presence of Pinot Noir, giving an unctuousness to the structure before unfolding into a long, precise finish.

If you like a Champagne of substance or - dare I say - 'verve', then look no further than Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut NV. It's a perfect example of harmony between delicacy and style.