(2024) Chablis producer Simonnet-Febvre produces this Chardonnay-based sparking wine, matured for 24 months on the lees. Fresh and lively on the nose, crisp apple and lemon notes with just a background layer of biscuity autolysis. In the mouth this has quite a fruity appeal, ripe apple and pear, with a gentle nuttiness playing against the dosage and acidity of the finish.

(2021) From vineyards across Burgundy, this traditional method wine blends Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a little Gamay and Aligoté, matured on the lees for 18 months. Terrific nose, gently biscuity and creamy, nicely fruited too moving from fig to citrus. On the palate an easy-drinking but classy balance between fruit sweetness, that nutty and creamy autolysis and pin-sharp acidity. A very attractive wine at an extremely fair price. Watch the video for more information.

(2018) Crémant wines are undergoing something of a mini-boom, finding many new fans for these traditional method sparkling wines from French regions outside of Champagne. This, from Chablis producer Simonnet-Febvre, is a blend of Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir, aged 24 months on the lees in bottle. It is a crisp and zippy style, but a creaminess and touch of biscuit adds to the pear and lemon fruit of the nose. In the mouth it is razor-sharp as befits a wine from vineyards surrounding Chablis, but there is a juiciness and peachy generosity to the mid-palate fruit before that long, shimmering core of acidity extends the finish. Watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas.

(2017) Crémant, France's other sparkling wines, are gaining in popularity and it is not hard to see why with an example like this all-Chardonnay, traditional method wine from Burgundy. The nose has delicate apple pie notes of pastry and creamy ripe pear and apple, a touch of citrus but real richness. The mousse is soft and rolling, adding to the expansive and easy-drinking quality of the sweet, ripe fruit, but the acidity is there giving this elegance and really good balance into a long, poised finish. For the price of entry-level own-brand supermarket Champagnes this delivers most impressively on quality.

(2016) Bright, appley and fresh, with some delicate floral character and rich confit lemon hints. 60% Pinot, two years on the lees. Lovely sweet fruit driving this, plenty of ripe apple and hints of tropical, with a sweetness and roundness in the finish – very fresh but easy to drink.