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BRITS SPILL OVER HALF A MILLION BOTTLES OF BUBBLY EVERY YEAR — ALDI WINE EXPERT REVEALS HOW TO OPEN FIZZ PROPERLY AHEAD OF FESTIVE SEASON

• Brits waste 568,134 bottles of bubbly every year because they don’t know how to open it properly
• One in six (17%) say they shake the bottle before opening, with 55% believing this will ‘enhance the fizz’
• Aldi wine expert Sam Caporn says shoppers are doing it all wrong and reveals five top tips for opening a bottle of bubbly perfectly
• Shoppers take stocking up on fizz very seriously with over a quarter (28%) having already stocked up for Christmas at this point in the year (October)

On average we waste 426,100 litres of sparkling wine every year — adding up to a staggering 568,134 bottles. That’s over 2,000 bathtubs of bubbly.

According to new research from Aldi, three quarters of Brits always spill some bubbly when opening a bottle which is bad news for shoppers who are expecting to enjoy on average 12.4 glasses of bubbly over the festive season.

One in six (17%) survey respondents say they shake the bottle before opening, with 55% believing this will ‘enhance the fizz’.

Gen Z are the most likely culprits with 96% admitting to wasting some and almost half of British adults (44%) say they get nervous opening a bottle and 26% of these say this is because ‘the noise is scary’.

As a result, over half (57%) admit to asking someone else to open it for them, while other work arounds include only buying bottles with twist caps and even ‘firing at the curtain so I don’t smash anything’.

In contrast, 5% throw caution to the wind and say they like to open a bottle by slicing the top off with a sharp knife or ‘sabre’ — a technique popularised by Napoleon’s cavalrymen.

Aldi has stepped in to help conquer Champagne anxiety this Christmas after its own-label bubbly topped Good Housekeeping’s Champagne taste test for Christmas[1]. The supermarket sold 4.7 million bottles last festive season and expects to surpass that this year.

Top wine expert, Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn, says Brits needn’t fear the fizz as there are five simple tips for opening a bottle without the fuss:

Step one: Remove the muzzle and immediately pop your hand over the cork to make sure it doesn’t fly out if you have a lively one.

Step two: Hold the bottle in the palm of your hand, tilting it away and keep the cork steady with one hand and twist the bottle, not the cork, with your other hand. Turn gently until the cork eases out.

Step three: For a truly elegant opening, aim for a gentle sigh rather than a loud pop. If the cork resists, a tea towel can provide extra grip while maintaining control.

Step four: Ditch the flute and coupe! A tulip-shaped glass is ideal for your bubbly which may surprise some. It keeps the fizz lively while letting you fully enjoy the fragrance. To pour, tilt the glass and pour gently, just like you’d pour a beer without a head. If it foams up, just wait a moment and then continue.

Step five: And finally, enjoy! If there is any leftover fizz, use a proper stopper to keep it sparkling overnight. A spoon does not work, silver or otherwise!

Other insights from the research include:

• 70% of Brits brace for impact when opening a bottle of fizz while half of Brits (48%) often or always celebrate the opening of a bottle of fizz by making a ‘woo’ or ‘ooh’ sound
• Top five regions expected to drink the most Champagne this Christmas:
  • Scotland (14 glasses)
  • London (13.8 glasses)
  • North East (13.5 glasses)
  • West Midlands (13.5 glasses)
  • Wales (12.8 glasses)

Aldi’s award-winning sparkling wine range:

For those that don’t nail fizz opening, needn’t panic too much as Aldi’s range offers unbeatable value:

Veuve Monsigny Champagne Premier Cru (£21.99, 75cl)

Beating other more expensive bubbly to the title of ‘Best Champagne’ in the renowned Good Housekeeping taste test, this is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Judges praised its “notes of refreshing lemon” and “minerality”[1] which combine with delicate aromas of apricot, herbal notes, and hints of orange zest and crème brûlée.   

Specially Selected Crémant du Jura (£10.99, 75cl)

Awarded GOLD at this year’s Drinks Business Sparkling Masters[1], this fizz boasts flavours of apple and citrus fruits with a fresh, elegant finish. It was called out as “the real Laurent Perrier champagne dupe” by @partnerinwineuk who also adds “make sure you stock up in time for Christmas!”.

Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut (£14.99, 75cl)

Boasting a rich golden colour, this long and layered tipple won Silver at this year’s International Wine challenge. Offering notes of apple strudel, croissants and toasted nuts, it’s perfect for popping at cosy festive gatherings.

NEW Organic Cava (£7.69, 75cl)

This delightful tipple is fine with persistent bubbles and aromas of white and citrus fruits on the nose, with background notes of pastries. On the palate it is round and easy, with hints of ripe fruit and a long finish.

Zerozecco (£2.99, 75cl)
This popular 0% tipple was nothing short of a winner at this year’s People’s Choice Drink Awards. Enjoying a well-balanced acidity and a complex, citrussy flavour, it promises the ultimate glass of guilt-free bubbles this festive season.

Costellore Diamond Prosecco (WAS £8.49, NOW £7.99, 75cl)

This well-balanced Prosecco dances on the palate with vibrant notes of ripe apple, pear, banana and a burst of citrus. A hint of delicate white glycine flower adds floral complexity, leading to a long, satisfying finish. The elegant bottle, with its gleaming gold accents, makes a sophisticated centerpiece for any celebration.  

Organic Prosecco (£6.99, 75cl)

WinningSilver at the Drinks Business Organic and Vegan Wine Masters 2024[1] as well as joint runner-up for the Best Value and Organic in Good Housekeeping’s Christmas taste test[2], this prosecco offers a medium-bodied tipple, with grapes that are hand-picked and gently pressed to ensure only the highest quality juice is used. It’s a wine that tastes good and does good, as the winery is committed to using renewable energy wherever possible.  The prosecco will be reduced to £6.49 on 30^th October.

Aldi’s fizz range is available to buy in stores nationwide now.

Notes to editors:

Mortar Research polled 1,017 fizz drinking Brits between 22^nd-23^rd October 2024 as part of Aldi’s fizz trends study.

[1] Thedrinksbusiness.com

[1] Goodhousekeeping.com

[1] Goodhousekeeping.com

[2] Good Housekeeping.com

[1] Thedrinksbusiness.com