Wine: Crémant of the crop, all the best for 2013 We have been popping corks from all round the world on your behalf to select the best bottles of fizz with which to bring in the new year. Interestingly, our two top sparkling wines were both crémants from different regions in France: made using the same grapes and same method as champagne, but offering excellent value for party quaffers. France Crémant de Jura £6.99, Aldi The clear winner in our taste-off under £8, this knocks spots off all those dull cavas. Made using the same method as champagne from 100 per cent chardonnay, although Jura is allowed to use three other grapes in its crémant. An excellent value substitute to Blanc de Blancs champagne. Star Value Buy Italy Prosecco La Marca Superiore Valdobbiadene 2011 £14.99 each for 2, Majestic Wine It is worth spending a little more on prosecco to get extra finesse and fruit: so many in our tasting were just too confected and sweet. This has delightful floral aromas, and is crisp and dry with a decent length. It is a step up from many bland supermarket proseccos. France Crémant de Bourgogne Prelude Brut NV Alain and Isabelle Hassard £12.99, Raeburn Fine Wines, Edinburgh From a small grower in Aluze in Burgundy, made using the same grapes (chardonnay and pinot noir) and same method as champagne. It was the outstanding winner overall in our sparkling wine category for value and elegance. Interestingly, it beat more expensive New World fizz. If you cannot afford champagne to bring in the new year, stock up on this delicious crémant. Star Buy England Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2007 £34.99, Cornelius Wines, Edinburgh; WoodWinters, Edinburgh; Peckham's, Glasgow; Aitken Wines, Dundee The largest and most impressive English fizz producer: West Sussex-based Nyetimber has three cuvées; Classic Cuvée 2007 is their original blend of pinot noir and chardonnay, Blanc de Blancs 2003 is just made from chardonnay - and their rosé is sublime, but pricey (£45 in Waitrose). The deeply fruity, toasty Classic Cuvée is a classic English fizz and now much more widely available than before. New Zealand Pelorus Vintage 2007 Cloudy Bay £16.99 each for 2, Majestic Wine; £19, Luvians; Raeburn Wines; Villeneuve Wines A good price for the vintage - which is superior (as it should be) to Pelorus non-vintage with depth and balance. It is amusing to think that when LVMH first bought Cloudy Bay, they said they had no intention of making any sparkling wines. Previous owner David Hohnen was four years into his fizz project and wasn't going to let it drop - and he was right. Pelorus Vintage is currently the best Kiwi fizz on the market by a long way. South Africa Graham Beck Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Brut NV £13.99, Waitrose Selected by the Obamas to celebrate election success - and 16 years ago Nelson Mandela chose it as his official inauguration fizz. Currently this Robertson-based fizz is the Cape's leading contender with a New World ripeness of fruit for those who love upfront fruit flavours. Pol Roger "Pure" Extra Brut NV £42, Woodwinters, Edinburgh/ Bridge of Allan; Luvians, Cupar/ St Andrews For those who like champagne which is low in calories, Pol's Pure has no sugar dosage. It is the best made Extra Brut on the market. Sleek, citric, very crisp and dry. A winner at our recent champagne masterclass. Gosset Grande Reserve Brut NV (£36, Raeburn Fine Wines, Edinburgh; Great Grog, Edinburgh) From the oldest wine house in Champagne (founded in 1584) now owned and run by the Cointreau family. The Grande Reserve is their flagship cuvée - a very serious champagne with a richness and toasty fullness which will definitely impress. Considering its quality in comparison to many non-vintage champagnes on the market, this is well priced. Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV £42, WoodWinters; Lockett Bros, North Berwick; Fine Wine Co, Musselburgh; Aitken Wines; Drinkmonger, Edinburgh/Pitlochry; Peckham's; Markinch Wine Gallery, Fife; Henderson Wines, Edinburgh; Valvona & Crolla, Edinburgh/Loch Lomond Shores If you are having a small soiree this weekend, choose this multi-awarded non-vintage - a trophy winner at the Decanter World Wine Awards and winner of countless medals. Charles Heidsieck's cellarmaster Regis Camus has won "Sparkling Winemaker of the Year" an unrivalled 12 times at the International Wine Challenge. This is wonderful honeyed, creamy champagne with ripe apricot, mango notes and a supreme silky sensation on the palate.