Prepare Christmas and New Year's Eve meals – champagnes, wines, dishes, desserts – and take on the challenge of not adding too much to the holiday budget which is already substantial. Advice from Fanny Guinochet.
franceinfo: are there any tips for having fun and spending less?
Fanny Guinochet : Yes, and already on the drinks side, because parties mean bubbles. So for champagne, the prices of which, unfortunately, have increased this year, if you turn to brands less well known than traditional brands, such as Nicolas Feuillatte, you can find low prices for champagnes that are just as good, or even better. It's not easy to choose. Do not hesitate to ask your wine merchant for help.
For my part, I turned to the advice of Bettane and Desseauve, experts who have a site, and who each year publish an independent guide. And they directed me towards Devaux vintages, for example, at less than 30 euros a bottle.
In addition, at the moment there are promotions in certain brands. Or the Fourrier champagnes which have a Prestige series of white champagnes, around 25 euros per bottle, and all this with beautiful bottles, beautiful labels, that counts too, it's a celebration.
And if champagne remains too expensive, can we turn to sparkling wines?
Indeed, they go well with many dishes, and there is a choice, since many estates produce them, count on around twenty euros per bottle. Also think about Crémants, Bruts d’Alsace white or rosé between 7 to 8 euros up to 17/18 euros the bottle. Still on the advice of the guides, we can cite the areas Sainte Joie, or at Gustave Lorentz. Around fifteen euros, there are Crémants de Bourgogne from the Lugny cellar.
Choose local too. Often it's cheaper. And then there is what is selling more and moreit's Prosecco, this sweet Italian bubble wine, between 5 and 10 euros, you find it everywhere. To the point that it is starting to worry champagne producers.
And for meals, what are your good plans, Fanny?
So the good news is that this year, prices tend to fall. For smoked salmon, for example, prices drop between 5 and 10%, and even if it's still too expensive, serve smoked trout rather than scallops. Take scallops which are cheaper, guinea fowl rather than turkey.
Even if poultry is less than 10%, prices are falling because we are coming out of the bird flu. Duck is this year's flagship product. Oyster prices are also significantly lower than in previous years. And otherwise, think about chestnuts, citrus fruits, exotic fruits which will bring a touch of pep to your menu without breaking the bank.
On the dessert side, be careful, given that the prices of chocolate, or even sugar, have increased significantly, the prices of logs have increased. Think about iced logs, which are cheaper, or Norwegian omelettes, which are a great alternative for celebrating.
