A SPARKLING CELEBRATION There's nothing quite like the sound of corks popping to make a festive party sparkle, and these brilliant bubbles more than rise to the occasion...

:: 'SPAR' TACULAR First impressions count and a magnum (the equivalent of two bottles) will not only impress your friends and family with its size, but with its taste too. The clever folks at Spar have released Magnum Perlezza Prosecco Brut, Italy (£13.33 from £20, now until January 21, Spar) in a large format size and it certainly looks the part. Meaning pearls, Perlezza is an award-winning prosecco in a brut style (dry) with less sweetness than extra dry (off sweet) and the perfect match with all those savoury Christmas canapes.

:: A REAL PEACH Soft and delicate and displaying all the classic notes of white peach, ripe pears and perfumed honeysuckle, bolstered by a deliciously pure freshness, Guerrieri Rizzardi Prosecco Extra Dry NV DOC Treviso, Italy (£10.60 per bottle when you buy case of six, £63.62, available from December 17, www.thedrinkshop.com) has enough structure to pair it with antipasti. This Venetian staple from a historic wine producer is a world away from bland bubbles.

:: CRACKING GOOD CAVA The perfect fun sparkler, Taste the Difference Vintage Cava, Spain (£7 from £9.50, now until December 9, Sainsbury's) is a great value alternative to champagne if you're entertaining a crowd, or just fancy a drop of fizz to sip throughout the holidays. Citrusy with an attractive creamy texture and light, toasty note, you can always top it up with fresh orange juice on Christmas morning for a festive Bucks Fizz.

:: SHIMMERING IN GOLD A delicious cremant from Saumur in the Loire Valley, Langlois Chateau Cremant De Loire Blanc Brut, France (£12.77, www.thedrinkshop.com) is made in the traditional method and the chalky soil and high content of chenin blanc lends a minerally freshness to the ripe, fruity flavours and elegant mouthfeel. Aged on lees for a minimum of 24 months (rather than the usual 12) adds some extra roundness and structure to the tiny beads of bubbles.

:: MADE IN ITALY Another high quality sparkling wine, Franciacorta is Italy's answer to champagne and Berlucchi Cuvee Imperiale NV Franciacorta DOCG, Lombardy, Italy (£22.49, or £14.98 when you mix and match two, Majestic) is made in the traditional method using chardonnay and pinot noir (champagne grapes). Refined and classy, only wines from the best vineyards can be labelled DOCG (look for the 'G' as a guarantee for greatness) and it's light on its feet with citrusy aromas and a subtle, savoury character.

:: CHANDON C'EST CHIC Argentina has joined the A-list with the release of Chandon Brut NV Argentina (£19.49, or £12.98 when you mix and match two, Majestic), the South American cousin to French champagne house Moet & Chandon. A fun favourite on Buenos Aries wine lists for years, it's making its debut this Christmas and the gold label even has a shooting star through the 'A' for some extra pizzazz. A blend of chardonnay and pinot noir made in the traditional method, there's a creamy richness to the fruity palate with toasty notes and a subtle sweetness on the finish.

:: WHICH? BEST BUY Sometimes the decision has to be made for you. Sainsbury's own label Sainsbury's Blanc de Blancs NV, France (£18 from £22.50, now until December 9, Sainsbury's) was recently voted the best supermarket champagne in the annual Which? Champagne and sparkling wine taste test. Made from 100% chardonnay and described by the judges as having, "Tantalising biscuit and brioche-like aromas; savoury and rich with tones of honey on buttered toast; and well made with a stylish balance of acidity and sweetness", it scooped the highest score of 80% and beat more expensive, well-known brands.

:: CHRISTMAS BRUNCH The perfect champers to have with smoked salmon and the ritual of opening up stockings, Champagne Prestige Des Sacres, Cuvee Grenat Vintage 2007, France (£26.24, from £34.99, now until January 5, www.winerack.co.uk) is dressed in a festive red label and this equal blend of chardonnay and pinot noir is fresh and fruity with enough zingy acidity to perk up the palate before the main event. The grapes are sourced from the oldest vineyards in Champagne and while the coronet on the label signals the crowning of the Kings of France, it also paves the way for crackers and their paper crowns.

:: BEST BUY It's the gin thing... Dressed in black, Anthology of Gin (£75, 4 x 20cl ceramic bottles, www.ginfoundry.com) includes four different styles of gin to experiment with and source your favourite botanical and style. The different flavour camps range from London Dry and Genever, to Old Tom and Navy Strength, and inside the pack is a 24-page booklet which outlines gin's 3,000 year history to enhance your tasting journey.

:: LIQUID NEWS Home-grown hops... Tesco has launched a new own-label beer to support the British Hop Association (BHA) and encourage beer lovers to support British hop growers, who are losing out to the US market and the surge in popularity of US styled craft beers.

Tesco's new Single Hopped Kentish Ale (50cl, 4.5% abv, £1.89, Tesco) is brewed using East Kent Golding (one of the UK's most famous hops) and is cited as having 'a distinct smooth taste with malty undertones, enhanced by uplifting botanical hop notes, a touch of spice and delicate herbal aromas'.

As Ali Capper of the British Hop Association points out: "The American trend that has led to a worldwide resurgence of interest in craft brewing has been a double-edged sword in the UK.

"In copying the trend, many British brewers have sought to emulate not only the trend, but also the exact beer style, and brewers don't always choose British grown hops - imports of New World Hops have substantially increased in recent years."

The new ale is a collaboration with Shepherd Neame, and Tesco are the first supermarket beer to carry the British Hop Association logo.