Veuve Delaroy Brut NV Champagne, France 75cl

Veuve Delaroy Brut is a non-vintage Champagne, the everyday, house style of fizz that the region does so well. Non-vintage means it is blended across years to hold a consistent character from bottle to bottle, the reliable benchmark by which a house is judged.

Like all Champagne, it is made by the traditional method, with a second fermentation in the bottle that creates the fine, persistent bubbles and the gentle bready complexity that set the region apart from other sparkling wines. The brut style keeps it dry, with only a light touch of sweetness to round off the finish.

Expect a crisp, refreshing glass with classic Champagne notes of green apple, citrus and a suggestion of brioche, carried on a fine, steady mousse. It is best served well chilled, around six to eight degrees, in a clean glass that lets the aromas show rather than an over-chilled flute that mutes them.

This is a versatile bottle rather than a collector’s piece, and it is all the more useful for it. It works as an aperitif, at a celebration or a toast, and it is happy alongside canapés, smoked salmon, tempura or lighter starters where its brisk acidity does the work. Its job is to bring a little occasion to the table without asking too much of the wallet, and it does that job well.

For anyone who wants genuine Champagne, made in the region and by the traditional method, at an approachable everyday price, Veuve Delaroy Brut is a sound, crowd-pleasing choice. Keep a bottle chilled for the moments that arrive unannounced.