Champagne prices have been rising at source pretty much across the board, thanks partly to the much-reduced 2003 crop. Undaunted, British retailers are continuing to make special offers on this unparalleled source of new customers – sorry, make that unparalleled form of fizz.
Oddbins, for example, are offering a full fiver off every bottle of Pol Roger NV (one of the most consistent and long-living) until 28 mar so you should be able to find a bottle of Pol in most Oddbins for £19.99.
Somerfield supermarkets meanwhile, perhaps celebrating the record-breaking insurance of their wine buyer's tasting equipment, are taking 20 per cent of all champagne and sparkling wines in the period leading up to (British) Mothers' Day, so 10-21 mar. Here are some examples of the reductions they claim should be generally available. There are others at selected stores:
Lanson Black Label NV reduced from £19.99 to £15.99
Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial NV reduced from £21.49 to £17.19
Veuve Clicquot NV reduced from £24.49 to £19.59
And I'm sure these won't be the last we see this spring.