Wine lovers looking to celebrate the festive season with some champagne may want to look to the smaller growers, as opposed to the big labels such as Moet & Chandon and Dom Perignon.

That is the view of wine critic TJ Foderaro, writing for Inside Jersey. The writer suggests that smaller vineyards often offer superior quality compared to the big Champagne houses.

One example cited is that of Bernard Tornay Brut, which Mr Foderaro suggests is a more enjoyable wine than produce from Pommery, Taittinger or Veuve Clicquot.

Bernard Tornay Brut gets its character from an unusually high percentage of Pinot Noir grape used in the blend, Mr Foderaro explains.

Champagnes unlikely to be found on tables this Christmas are the world's two oldest vintages, discovered in a shipwreck in the waters of Aaland, between Sweden and Finland this summer.

Champagne experts recently tasted the bottles of Juglar and Veuve Clicquot, saying that both of the sweet wines are in very drinkable condition.