As a country, Britain has been fortunate and somewhat spoiled by the choice of wines available to its consumers. Almost every wine producing country has its ware somewhere on the shelves of the UK. Supermarkets, high street multiples, independent merchants and the internet all offer a wide range of wines from the cheap and cheerful to connoisseur products. Customers are more and more lured by the attractive bargains on offer. At times one cannot help the feeling that the only way wine can be sold in the UK is through discounts.

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For a long time French wine has been the favourite choice to accompany a meal – whether at home or in a restaurant. Although France still enjoys the number one spot in the world of wine for its grand cru and premier cru wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy, and some châteaux still command high prices, the tide for entry level and medium price range wines seems to be turning. Supermarkets and multiples have been reducing shelf space available for French wine and are gradually reallocating it to wines from the new world which have become more appealing to the British palate.
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Champagne and sparkling wine is for all seasons, not just for Christmas or New Year celebration

The world of wine is vast and offers its lovers unrivalled enjoyment. Of all the great wines, good old bubbly is undoubtedly the most celebrated. With champagne consumption at its all-time high in the UK, Dom Perignon, Bolinger, Krug, Louis Roederer, Laurent Perrier, Charles Heidsieck, Philipponnant and Moet & Chandon – just to name a few – do touch a cord not only with the connoisseurs and cognoscenti, but also with the occasional champagne drinker.

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With the festive season fast approaching, our thoughts are turned to presents, house decoration and, of course, the culinary delights of Christmas. Even those who do not usually imbibe may crown the Christmas table with a decent bottle to bring out the best both in food and wine. But the plethora of Old and New World wines stockpiled by supermarkets and independent wine merchants may often present an unsurmountable challenge to the unsuspecting customer who, in this vinicultural jungle, may easily retreat by grabbing the nearest bottle.
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