Supermarket own-label Champagnes have beaten a luxury champagne house in Which?’s festive taste tests this year, with the winner costing half the price of its branded counterpart. Co-op’s Les Pionniers Champagne proved to be a corker with Which?’s panel, as it received the top score in the testing and nabbed one of Which?’s coveted Best Buys.

Scoring 85%, this bubbly impressed the experts with its smoky notes complemented by fresh, fruity flavours of red apple, lemon and grape. At £22.75, the experts thought it was a cut above the rest, praising its smooth creaminess, pleasing freshness and long savoury finish.

The consumer champion asked a panel of four independent wine experts to blind-taste a selection of Champagnes to uncover the best bubbly. Following closely behind was Aldi’s Monsigny Premier Cru Champagne.

The Champagne received a score of 81% and also earned a Best Buy. The panel said the bubbly showcased fresh fruit flavours against a savoury backbone, with a long, concentrated finish. Priced at £21.99, one expert called this fizz a “crowd-pleaser” and it was considered a great option that won’t blow the budget.

These bottles were rated higher than the most expensive Champagne the panel tasted. Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne - costing £47 per bottle, received a score of 77%. Although you won’t be disappointed by its classy and crisp taste, there are plenty of cheaper Champagnes on the market that are just as – if not more - delicious.

Despite not coming first for their fizz, other supermarket offerings delivered some delicious options. Asda’s Veuve Olivier & Fils Secret de Cave Champagne, £28, was a hit with the experts who said this was a full-flavoured fizz with rich, expressive aromas of spiced apple, red fruit and citrus.

Another fizz that proved popular was Waitrose’s Brut Champagne, £21.99. It was described by the tasting panel as fresh and lively with lovely lemony aromas and a pleasing biscuity note.

For a cheaper equivalent to Champagne, Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace, £11.50, impressed the experts and earned a Which? Best Buy endorsement. The panel praised the refreshing and lightly fruity fizz, which had enticing aromas of apple blossom and toasted almonds. Its subtle complexity, well-balanced flavour and crisp, dry finish demonstrated that paying less does not have to mean compromising on quality.

Natalie Hitchins, Which? home products and services editor, said: “Champagne is the perfect way to toast the festive season with family and friends and it’s great news that this year’s top-scoring supermarket fizz costs less than half the price of an alternative bottle from one of the big-name champagne houses. Our taste tests have found superb supermarket champagnes and cheaper alternatives that deliver on quality and value for money and more than rival a famous champagne house.”