The budget beauties right on your doorstep

Pink fizz and romance flow through one another like rivulets of laughter cascading from an Olympian shindig. If it’s beauty on a budget you seek, Cava Rosado from Spain is the way to go – six quid buys you Tesco Cava Rosado, or the glorious Prestige Cava Rosado from M&S is currently on offer for £8 – it’s immense. But to really impress, climb higher up Fizz Mountain.

South Africa has hidden gems made in the traditional method, with secondary fermentation in each bottle creating elegant bubbles. Of course, for years French Champagne has been the highest peak that all fizz seekers have scaled to elevate the mood and mind. While this is changing to a degree, there are still some absolute corkers to aim for. Charles Heidsieck creates some of my all-time favourite rosé, and for a splurge its ‘Rare’ 2008 is magnificent for £299 from thewhiskyexchange.com. Often these higher prices correspond to a longer time ageing the fizz to give more complex flavours – it’s up to you whether to splash the cash.

Outside the Champagne region in France, Crémant can also be incredible, but England sends my heart soaring with a growing trademark in thirst-quenching zing. I’ve recently visited Coolhurst and bought 12 bottles of its fabulously fruity Lady Elizabeth rosé on the spot (coolhurstvineyards.com). You should also seek out Ambriel (ambrielsparkling.com), Hoffmann & Rathbone (hoffmannandrathbone.co.uk) and Greyfriars (greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk).

World-class quality is on our doorstep and our home-grown bubbly is setting pulses racing. It’s time for your cork to pop!