Pink fizz is a great option for parties and weddings - here are some of the best to try

Have you managed to get a hair appointment yet, or booked a table at your favourite restaurant?
Social bubbles will go down a treat at back garden wedding receptions.Social bubbles will go down a treat at back garden wedding receptions.
Social bubbles will go down a treat at back garden wedding receptions.

As lockdown eases and we all work out just how much freedom we are comfortable with, there is the possibility of summer weddings going ahead from today, even though most couples have had to cancel their churches, reception venues and guests.

But if the dress is already hanging in the wardrobe, and the happy couple were planning on a small event anyway, then they may decide to grab this opportunity and go ahead with the big day. If that is the case, then you will need some wine for the occasion and with just a small group of people heading to your back garden to toast the bride and groom it is worth checking out the options.

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Pink is this season’s colour and if it comes with bubbles then it tastes even better, and most styles are flexible enough to enjoy for toasts and to pour alongside a buffet. If the day is warm and sunny make sure you have plenty of ice and keep the bottles cool. Half-fill glasses and top up regularly. Even for a small event it is worth hiring some glasses and Majestic Wines are usually a good place to try first. Generally they don’t insist you buy all the wine from them, but buying a few bottles keeps everyone happy.

Maison Taittinger - well known for its pink fizz.Maison Taittinger - well known for its pink fizz.
Maison Taittinger - well known for its pink fizz.

I lined up a range of pink fizz that will look good at any wedding this summer. Here is my choice of the best.

Codorníu Rosado Brut Cava, Spain, Waitrose, £9.49: A pretty pink colour with simple, bright cherry-laden fruit. This comes down to £7.11 on the Waitrose 25 per cent off deal when you buy any mixed-six bottles. This deal ends on Tuesday.

Bouvet Saumur Rosé Brut, Loire, France, Majestic Wines, £13.99, down to £9.99 on a mix-six deal: Traditionally made, with the second fermentation in bottle, so it gathers a touch of toast along with the raspberry, redcurrant and peach fruit. Dry but rounded on the palate, this has a lively, fresh style that tastes well above its price point.

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La Folie Mirabeau Sparkling Rosé, France, Waitrose, £14.99: Made from a blend of Southern French grapes using the same “in tank” method as Prosecco, this is a remarkable fizz with a delicate pink colour and a taste of wild strawberry with pink grapefruit freshness. Buy before Tuesday to take advantage of the 25 per cent off six bottles deal at Waitrose.

Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut Rosé, Aldi, £16.99: Packed with juicy, summer pudding fruit flavours, and a light touch of warm brioche, this is a fabulous value pink champagne.

Atmosphère Extra Brut, France, Bon Coeur Fine Wine (01325 776446), £21.44: From a family-run estate on the coast of Provence. This has tiny, persistent bubbles, with peach notes among the strawberry fruit and a dry, almost herby finish. Certified organic.

Champagne Tribaut Rosé de Reserve Brut, Premier Cru, The Fizz Co (www.thefizzcompany.com), £26.99: This pale pink champagne shone out in the tasting for its clear, red berry fruit, balanced by fresh acidity and an amazing, savoury length. The Fizz Company is a Yorkshire-based mail order wine importer, specialising in wines from family-owned properties.

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Devaux Oeil de Perdrix Rosé Champagne, Majestic Wines, £27.99, down to £20.99 on a mix-six deal: The name translates as “partridge eye”, which is a historic way of describing pink wine. It is the palest of pink – sometimes I have to hold a piece of white paper behind the glass, just to check it really does have a pinkish hue. But the pale colour is balanced by bags of flavour, with cherry, strawberry and cranberry fruit, and the softest of dry finishes.

Bollinger Rosé Brut, Champagne One (www.champagneone.co.uk), £27.95 for half a bottle: One thing that lockdown has taught us all is to keep ourselves in our own bubbles, so why not let your guests stay in their own small groups by handing out half bottles for them to share between themselves? Yorkshire-based Champagne One has half bottles of this excellent Bollinger Rosé, packed in gift boxes, so your guests can raise a glass, without worry.

Camel Valley Rosé Brut, Cornwall, England, Waitrose, £29.99: This is the wine that I personally carried to Canada when our English son married his lovely Canadian wife. And it was well worth it. It is a wonderful pink fizz with lively strawberry fruit on the nose, a juicy citrus and raspberry palate, and a clean edge of acidity that shows it is English. Take advantage of the 25 per cent off six bottles deal at Waitrose until Tuesday.

Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial Champagne Brut, Morrisons, down from £40 to £35 until July 14: It is so easy to ignore the big brands but Moët has really got its act together in recent years and it shines with quality. This rosé is Pinot-dominant with a small proportion of Chardonnay and the grapes come mainly from Grand and Premier Cru vineyards. It is elegant, sustained, integrated and long with a purity of balance on the finish. Quite delightful and well worth its price, especially on offer.

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Taittinger Prestige Champagne Rosé Brut, Roberts & Speight, £39.99: Deeper in colour than most rosé champagnes, this has ripe raspberry fruit layered with red cherry and hints of spice. Complex and elegant, it has a roundness of style that complements a summer buffet to perfection.

Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne, Field & Fawcett, £68.85: If the wedding guest list is small then it might be possible to push the boat out and head for one of the most gorgeous and consistent rosé champagnes. Pale satin pink, with a persistent, creamy mousse, and perfectly balanced floral and wild strawberry aromas which lead into the taste of raspberries, a light touch of spice and perfect harmony.

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