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New Years Fizz at Grape Minds

24 Dec 2025
Sparkling Wine for New Year’s Eve: Our Hand-Picked Bottles to See in the New Year

There’s something about New Year’s Eve that calls for sparkle. The clink of glasses at midnight, the hum of conversation in the kitchen, the laughter that carries on long after the fireworks fade – these are the moments sparkling wine was made for.
At Grape Minds, we’ve always believed that the right bottle can set the tone for the night. Whether you’re hosting a relaxed get-together with friends, dressing the table for a decadent dinner party, or opening something truly special as the clock strikes twelve, we’ve selected a range of sparkling wines that deliver on quality, character and sheer enjoyment.

Below are a few of our New Year’s Eve favourites, each chosen because we love drinking them ourselves – and because they shine in different party scenarios.

Antonio Borga Extra Dry Prosecco (from £11.99)
Style: Fresh, lively and effortlessly drinkable

This is the bottle we reach for when the doorbell keeps ringing and glasses need topping up. Antonio Borga’s Extra Dry Prosecco is all about brightness and charm, with aromas of green apple, pear and white peach, lifted by a gentle floral note.
On the palate it’s crisp and lightly off-dry, with soft bubbles and a refreshing finish that makes it dangerously easy to pour another glass.
Perfect pairings:
  • Aperitivo nibbles
  • Smoked salmon blinis
  • Light canapés, olives and salted nuts
New Year’s Eve moment:
Ideal for welcoming guests as coats are piled up and music goes on. It’s a crowd-pleaser that gets the evening off to the right start without stealing the show.

Domaine Bellevue Crémant (from £14.99)
Style: Elegant, creamy and quietly impressive
Crémant is one of our favourite sparkling wine secrets, and Domaine Bellevue delivers everything we look for: finesse, balance and excellent value. Expect aromas of citrus zest, orchard fruit and fresh brioche, followed by a rounded, creamy palate with a clean, dry finish.
This is a step up in texture and complexity, while still feeling relaxed and approachable.
Perfect pairings:
  • Grilled prawns or scallops
  • Soft cheeses like brie or camembert
  • Mushroom tartlets or savoury pastries
New Year’s Eve moment:
A brilliant choice for a sit-down supper or a more grown-up gathering where food plays a starring role.

Domaine Bruno Sorg Crémant d’Alsace (from £21.99)
Style: Refined, aromatic and beautifully structured
Bruno Sorg’s Crémant d’Alsace is one we’re particularly proud to stock. Made with precision and patience, it offers delicate aromas of apple blossom, lemon peel and toasted almonds. The palate is finely balanced, with lively acidity, elegant mousse and a long, satisfying finish.
It’s a wine that rewards slowing down and paying attention.
Perfect pairings:
  • Roast chicken or turkey
  • Smoked trout or gravadlax
  • Comté or aged hard cheeses
New Year’s Eve moment:
Perfect for a candle-lit dinner with close friends, where conversation flows and the food deserves something special in the glass.

Hundred Hills First Edition 2018 (from £42.99)
Style: English finesse with serious depth
English sparkling wine has truly come of age, and Hundred Hills is a shining example. The First Edition 2018 shows layers of baked apple, lemon curd and subtle toast, with a chalky minerality that speaks clearly of its origin.
The bubbles are fine and persistent, the structure confident yet graceful – this is a bottle that stands proudly on any New Year’s table.
Perfect pairings:
  • Oysters or lobster
  • Roast pork with apple
  • Truffled dishes or rich vegetarian mains
New Year’s Eve moment:
When you want to surprise guests with something exceptional and distinctly British – this is a real conversation-starter.
Champagne de Saint-Gall Orpale 2008 (from £90)
Style: Prestigious, complex and unforgettable
For landmark moments, Orpale 2008 is Champagne at its most serious and rewarding. A long-aged, Chardonnay-led Champagne, it opens with aromas of citrus oil, hazelnut, honey and patisserie, unfolding into a powerful yet beautifully poised palate.
This is a wine of patience, depth and celebration – the kind you remember long after the cork is popped.
Perfect pairings:
  • Lobster thermidor
  • Turbot or scallops with butter sauce
  • Simply enjoyed on its own
New Year’s Eve moment:
Saved for midnight itself, when the countdown finishes and you want a bottle that truly marks the occasion.
Choosing the Right Sparkling Wine for Your New Year’s Party

From easy-going Prosecco to show-stopping Champagne, sparkling wine has a unique way of bringing people together. Our advice is simple: match the bottle to the mood. Have something welcoming for arrivals, something food-friendly for the table, and – if the year deserves it – something extraordinary to toast the future.
If you’d like help selecting the perfect New Year’s Eve sparkling wine, we’re always happy to share our thoughts. After all, these are the bottles we’ll be opening ourselves.

Here’s to a joyful New Year – and to starting it with a glass that truly sparkles. 

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GET TO KNOW US BETTER

Find out more why we love what we do and how we can help!

At Grape Minds, our customers come first. We’re committed to curating only the wines we truly believe in — bottles that over-deliver on taste, quality, and value. Every wine on our shelves has been handpicked with care, ensuring you get the best, at the best possible price. Because great wine should be a joy to discover, not a challenge to afford.

We've got 2 stores and a wine bar where you can taste our drinks. Our stores are located in Wallingford and Summertown, Oxford. You can also find us at OXTWO, our Small Plates restaurant and wine bar, where we offer a selection of wines by the glass, as well as a curated menu of small plates to pair with your drink.

We're always happy to help and give a personal touch, listening to what you need and choosing the right bottles for the occassion. Simple give us a ring on 01865 661749 for our Summertown store, or 01491 824549 for our Wallingford store. Theres more info on our Contact page.

Feel free to peruse our online shop, or read more about our story and our wines on our About page. We also have a Events page where you can find out about our upcoming tastings and events.

Some of our recent favourites

Discover some beautiful wines that we're really enjoying right now.

DSR Les Derniers Cepage

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
£9.99

Tenuta Fortercole Marche IGT

Sangiovese, Montepulciano
£18.99

Domaine Fournillon Bourgogne Blanc

Chardonnay
£14.99

Domaine Bellevue Cremant de Loire

Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
£14.99

De Saint-Gall Tradition 1er Cru

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
£31.99

Vignerons Buxy Bourgogne Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir
£17.99

Chateau Cantemerle 2016

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
£39.99

Kaiken Disobedience Red Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec
£21.99

Virginie T 2018 Macaron

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
£59.99

Kreuznacher Narrenkappe Trocken

Riesling
£15.99

Domaine JP Seve Pouilly-Fuisse Vieilles Vignes

Chardonnay
£28.99

Oh! Merlot

Merlot
£15.99

Cambon Le Pelouse Cru Bourgeois

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
£22.99

Odd Lot Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir
£9.99

Hattingley Valley Classic Cuvee 2019

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
£32.99

Hattingley Valley The English Gent

Pinot Gris, Bacchus
£24.99

Proprieta Sperino Uvaggio

Nebbiolo, Vespolina, Croatina
£33.99

Lisbonita Tinto

Tinta Roriz, Castelão, Touriga Franca
£10.99

Muses Estate Assyrtiko

Assyrtiko
£17.50

Zensa Primitivo

Primitivo
£13.49

Cape Mentelle SB/Semillion

Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc
£14.99

Al Cantara Occhi Di Ciumi

Grecanico, Carricante
£24.99

Chateau de Rochemorin Rouge

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
£26.99

Domaine Besson Petit Chablis

Chardonnay
£17.99

Massoc Freres Lassemblage Pais

£13.99

Pa Road Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc
£12.99

Mailloches Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes

Cabernet Franc
£13.99

Hostellerie Pierre de Taille Provence Rosé

Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
£13.49

Hundred Hills Dreaming Spires Rosé

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
£37.99

Domaine JP Seve Macon Solutre

Chardonnay
£17.99

Domaine Berthier Sancerre Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc
£21.99

Sandhi Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

Chardonnay
£39.99

Domaine Fourmone Ceps d'Or Vacqueyras

Grenache
£21.99

Mina Mesa Zinfandel

Zinfandel
£9.99

Scruffy's Shiraz

Shiraz
£13.99

Ondarre Gran Reserva Rioja

Tempranillo
£17.99

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Handpicked with care, ensuring you get the best, at the best possible price. Because great wine should be a joy to discover.

Oxfordshire's independent wine specialist

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Mon - Fri: 10.00am - 7.00pm

Saturday: 10.00am - 6.00pm

Sunday | Wallingford : Closed

Sunday | Summertown : 10:00am - 3:30pm

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