Hello again! I hope you all enjoyed last months recommended wine. We enjoyed it with a very nice casserole of beef bourguignonne. It really went down very well! Now don’t for a minute think I used the Buckingham Estate in the cooking pot, I always keep a box of wine in the cupboard for cooking, as it keeps for longer.

Have any of you began to notice a change in the seasons? There are blackberries in the fields, the rose hips are ripening and of course the Horse Chestnut leaves are beginning to change colour. They are always the first to go! These changes have made me start thinking about Christmas and all the nice things we have at that time of year. So I thought this month I would write about my favourite sparking wine. That way you can plan ahead ready for the time of celebration.

Over the years I have tried many different champagnes and sparking wines and have a firm favourite, which comes out the top of my list every time. This is a Lindauer Sparking from New Zealand. I wrote about a New Zealand wine in July, so you will already know that I am impressed with their consistency and quality.

You might ask... Why aren’t all wines that sparkle called Champagne? In order for a wine to be called Champagne it has to come from that region of France. This generally means that although many of the same grapes are used to make sparkling wine in other countries, the soil, sun and climate that give the Champagne region it’s uniqueness. Champagne generally also comes with a higher price.

There are many countries producing quality sparkling wine and in my view many are on a par with Champagne, but they often sell at a more realistic price.

The Lindauer Special Reserve is my firm favourite. It has everything I enjoy in a sparkling wine. It is nutty, with the most delightful light blush colour to it and it looks a little bit special when in the glass. When you taste the wine it has small bubbles and a wonderful honeyed texture on the palate.

Brand: Lindauer
Type: Special Reserve
Region: Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough, New Zealand
Grape: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Alcohol Strength: 12 %

The colour – Bright gold with coppery tones
The bouquet –Toasted nuts
Flavour - Pineapple, strawberry

I like to serve a glass of sparkling wine as friends arrive for supper, I think it makes the evening get off on a nice note and of course, the other obvious time to serve this, is when you are celebrating.

Available from Majestic
Price: £ 9.99, although the wines at Majestic are frequently discounted

Anne Kennedy.