Aussies can celebrate this NYE on the cheap without compromising a flavour pop
Australians are expected to drink four times more bubbles on New Year’s Eve than any other day of the year with prosecco, which is a sparkling wine, expected to be a popular option this New Year’s Eve.
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In a year marked by financial prudence, Aussies are turning their New Year’s Eve celebrations into a bubbly battleground, seeking effervescence without compromising the budget.
Australians are expected to drink four times more bubbles on New Year’s Eve than any other day of the year with prosecco, which is a sparkling wine, expected to be a popular option this New Year’s Eve.
Recent Coles data reveals 43 per cent of Australians are “looking for bargains more than usual” this festive season, with cut-price bubbles now an obvious choice for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Sales for bottles in the $15 to $20 price range have risen almost 20 per cent this year across retailers Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market, and Vintage Cellars, with prosecco outstripping champagne in terms of sales.
Collectively, the three retailers are projected to sell 35,000 bottles of prosecco on New Year’s Eve and 25,000 bottles of Champagne.
While prosecco has emerged as the undisputed champion of affordable indulgence this festive season, Coles liquor ambassador Nikki Phillips says she will be toasting in the New Year with a reasonably priced Champagne.
“This New Year's Eve will be a family affair with my parents, kids, family and loved ones. Canard-Duchene Champagne will be flowing, good tunes playing and most importantly the most important people in my life around me,” Phillips says.
“A glass of bubbles is the perfect way to ring in the new year. Is it even New Years if bottles aren’t popped? It has to be the official sound and taste of celebration.”
Despite the universal trend of trying to make as much noise as possible when popping the champagne cork, Phillips promotes a more gentle alternative.
“When it comes to the Champagne pop, bigger isn’t better. The trick is to gently twist the cork and the bottle in opposite directions while slowly releasing the cork. Then for the pour it’s slow and steady which helps keep the bubbles for longer.”
Phillips says you can also ignore the old wives’ tale of sticking a metal spoon in a Champagne bottle to maintain its effervescence, as it makes no difference to the product whatsoever.
“I hate to break it to you but the spoon in an open bottle won’t keep it bubbly. You’re better off buying a Champagne stopper.”
While budget bubbles may be the go-to this New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of ways to create a drink that is rich in flavour and will make the perfect toast to see in 2024.
Phillips says, in a follow-on from Christmas in New Zealand with her entire family, Champagne makes festive occasions feel even more special. “There’s nothing quite like having all 26 of us together in the one spot; some call it chaos, but I like to say organised chaos – with a lot of festive cheer,” she says.
“For us a glass of Champagne signals the arrival of family, relaxation and the start of a very special day.”
Phillips says she has plenty of hacks to make a glass of sparkling or prosecco taste just as good as Champagne. “I like to add a slice of peach or raspberry to jazz up a glass of prosecco, but my secret weapon are syrups, like elderflower, that can brighten up any glass of bubbles,” she says.
This New Year’s Eve, Coles Liquor general manager of customer loyalty, Mia Lloyd, agrees that nothing says “Happy New Year” quite like popping a bottle of bubbles.
With the majority of Australians looking to save money this New Year’s Eve, Lloyd says many customers will be switching to prosecco or sparkling wine.
“We’ve got more than 230 types of Champagne, prosecco and sparkling wine to suit all occasions, budgets and preferences,” she says. “For those looking to ring in the new year without breaking the budget, I would recommend the Jardiniere Blanc de Blancs Brut which is a delicious French sparkling that offers an energetic, dry finish for just $15, or the Brilla prosecco for $16.”
SIMPLE recipes to help jazz up a glass of bubbles
Orange Spritz: Add 30ml of Vero Aperitivo to a flute with ice, pour over prosecco and finish with a splash of soda and orange wedge.
French 75: Pour 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp sugar syrup and 50ml gin into a cocktail shaker then fill up with ice. Shake well then strain into a sparkling flute. Top with bubbles and finish with a twist of lemon.
Bubbles Mojito: Add ice to a flute then clap together a small handful of mint leaves and add to glass, splash in 15-20ml of white rum, squeeze of lime juice, ½ tsp of sugar (or to taste) then top with prosecco or bubbles.
Festive Fizz: Add 30ml of ruby port to a glass, then a sprig of rosemary and slice of lemon. Top with bubbles.
Sgroppino: Add a scoop of lemon sorbet/gelato to glass, pour in a splash of either gin, limoncello or vodka then top with prosecco or sparkling. Grate on some lemon zest.
BEST OF THE BUBBLES
● $16, Brilla Prosecco 750ml
Ideal as an aperitif, it is a perfect combination to hors-d’oeuvres and delicate first courses.
● $15, Brown & Co Prosecco 750ml
Straw in colour with subtle green hues and delicate notes of apple and pear.
● $20, Ovation Brut Cuvée 750ml
Crafted from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier grapes sourced from some of the Adelaide Hills’ best sparkling wine vineyards.
● $55, Canard-Duchene NV Brut Champagne Gift Box
Notes of fruit coupled with hints of buttery brioche.
● $15, Jardiniere Blanc de Blancs Brut 750ml
A fresh sparkling with crisp citrus, green apple, and white flowers.
● $45, Henri Laurent Champagne NV 750ml
Rich in character and texture and beaming with brioche, dried apricot and honeyed notes.
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