Your essential guide to New Year sparkling wines

WITH New Year’s Eve just hours away do not delay in buying your favourite Champagne, Cava or Prosecco.

I am always amazed when I hear that someone doesn’t like Champagne, but I can see why the sweet white peach style of Prosecco is often preferred. The main thing to remember about Prosecco is that it is tank fermented rather than bottle-fermented, so it has less fizz.

If your Prosecco is bottled with a string-topped cork or screwcap it will have even fewer bubbles as these bottles are frizzante and taxed as a still wine in Ireland (hence the great value price). Spumante Prosecco and all Cava and Champagnes are taxed at double the rate of still wines.