Graham Beck Brut NV, Robertson (selected off-licences and Oddbins, £10.49-£12.99). A well-made crowd-pleaser from South Africa with ripe, fruity flavours. Deutz Marlborough Cuvee Brut NV, Montana (Oddbins, £13.99). Light-footed offspring from the liaison between a quietly talented champagne house and big New Zealand winery. Terrific! See Bottles of the Week.
Yalumba Cuvee One Prestige Pinot Noir- Chardonnay NV (selected off-licences and Oddbins, £12.99£14.99). An utterly reliable Aussie sparkler - hints of apples, pears and the merest touch of honey - in a smart bottle modelled on Bollinger RD.
Green Point Brut 1995/6, Yarra Valley, Domaine Chandon (selected off-licences and Oddbins, £14.99£16.99) Another Franco-Aussie venture - this time involving Moet - produces one of my absolute favourites. The 1996 is about to arrive: based on previous form it should be ultra-refined.
Blue Pyrenees Midnight Cuvee NV, Victoria (selected off-licences, about £17.99). An impressive newcomer to Ireland, crisp and deliciously refreshing. Again, the bottle - wide-bottomed, with matt silver label - will do you proud.
Pelorus, Marlborough, Cloudy Bay, 1995 (selected off-licences and Findlaters Wine Vaults, usually £19.99) This is a much bigger mouthful - creamy, almost nutty - from New Zealand's poshest winery. Looks shouldn't matter but they do - and this bottle's the coolest of all.
Champagne Raymond de Belval Millennium 2000 Brut NV (Superquinn, £16.99). More Chardonnay in the blend makes this special effort much more palatable than basic Raymond de B. Good value.
Champagne Premier Cru NV, Tesco (Tesco £17.99). This one passes the true test - not just a mouthful at a tasting, but a long evening of intermittent sipping. The best champagne I've found so far at this price.
Champagne Guy Charbaut Brut NV (Kellys Clontarf, special price £19.50). A flavoursome extrovert, laden with fruit but resoundingly dry in the finish. Kellys' deal makes it a bargain.
Millennium Champagne Brut NV. Bonnet (Dunnes Stores, £19.99). Under the tasteful grey and black pinstripe livery specially designed for Dunnes, this is Bonnet Brut Heritage - the house champagne in the Commons restaurant, inter alia. And very pleasant it is, too - biscuity and inviting.