My favourite fizz

I'm very fond of a glass of prosecco and often choose to drink that when celebrating meeting up with friends. But no more! I've just returned from the most fabulous weekend away with friends in Champagne, near to Epernay, and I'm powerfully reminded of what I've been missing! It seems that I'm definitely not alone in shifting my tastes over recent years. In 2015, sales of prosecco in Britain overtook champagne to become the country's most popular sparkling wine for the first time. Not only in value (over £182million) but more than double the volume of champagne and Spanish cava combined.
But - visit any private Champagne house and vineyard as we did and see and understand the extraordinary care, attention, love and just back-breaking work that goes into the growing and hand-picking and fermenting and bottling that has to take place, year in, year out and surely prosecco doesn't even begin to compare. We spend a fascinating morning at the family house and cellars of 
RENÉ JOLLY in Landreville. After riddling the hundreds of bottles of champagne (now automated but still done by hand less than 100 years ago) until the lees settle in the neck of the bottles, the owner, Pierre, then personally disgorges by hand the plug and cap from every single bottle - under massive pressure.
Tasting the House's range of champagnes and understanding the unique flavours of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay was a further delight. Our appreciation of the terroir and the family's expertise in harvesting such fine vintages from it since the 1700s extended to some serious purchases. And remember, champagne is not to be laid down but drunk as soon as possible - santé !