Bottles of the week

Pol Roger, Brut Reserve; Berry Brother & Rudd's UKC Champagne; Cattier, NV, premier cru, Chigny-Les - Rose.

Pol Roger, Brut Reserve; Berry Brother & Rudd's UKC Champagne; Cattier, NV, premier cru, Chigny-Les-Rose.

Pol Roger, Brut Reserve, 12% abv, approx €70-75: Winston Churchill was right about this Champagne, which was his favourite. As for the price, note that this is a magnum - the way they serve it in some circles in Champagne. From: Widely available.

Berry Brother & Rudd's UKC Champagne 1998, Grand Cru, Société de Producteurs - Mailly, 12% abv, €36.95: This is BBR's new vintage "house" Champagne, and what a delight it is. It's made from 75 per cent Pinot Noir and 25 per cent Chardonnay and sourced from a renowned area and a good year. From: Berry Brothers & Rudd, Harry Street, Dublin 2.

Cattier, NV, premier cru, Chigny-Les-Rose, 12% abv, €29.99: This excellent-value blend, from a number of vintages, is fresh and vivacious in the mouth with a hint of citrus on the nose. From: Celtic Whiskey Shop, Dawson Street; McCabes, Blackrock and Foxrock, Co Dublin.