New Year’s Eve is all about celebration. I wanted to find out how Oxford’s drink experts in the Champagne, restaurant and spirits industry were planning to ring in the New Year.

Tom Ellis, the Champagne importer for the multi-award winning Chassenay d’Arce Champagne will be drinking from his own range. If he had to recommend something outside his line, he says try to source some large bottles. “A Magnum (2 bottles) or a Jeroboam (4 bottles) can really add to the sense of celebration!”

Tom also recommends small Champagne houses. “They produce exceptional Champagne that is often half the price of the big brands and always much better value for money.” He continues, “If you are in Champagne visit Paul d'Echaly. This Champagne is exceptionally elegant with great finesse on both nose and palate making it perfect as an aperitif. Unfortunately this is not available within the UK, but well worth a bottle if you can get your hands on one!”

Andrew Cashin, Operations Manager at Benugo, which runs the Ashmolean Dining Room, reminisces about New Year’s Eve.

“When I was running the BFI on the Southbank, my team treated me to a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé when I moved from London to Oxford and it blew my mind. It’s now my favourite Champagne of all time. I don’t usually go for rosé but this is a seriously delicious Champagne with cherry flavours and nutty hints. Not the cheapest or easiest to find (Waitrose usually stock it at £41.99) but well worth it when it’s called for. I have a couple of bottles for me and my friends to welcome in the New Year.”

 

Aljoscha Wright, the spirits buyer at the Oxford Wine Company on the Botley Road has made his plans already.

“I will be popping the cork on a Louis Roederer vintage 1996 which I have been holding onto. It costs about £65 but I’m not sure who has stocks of the 1996. Reviews have given it a 93 average, so I’m really looking forward to it!

During the evening I will be walking around with a bottle of Babička wormwood vodka and some frosted shot glasses. I absolutely love the freshness of this vodka and will certainly keep those taste buds livened up! Not to mention its smooth and flavourful character always sparks interest. Sharing a shot with a good friend to celebrate the New Year makes the occasion all the more memorable. It costs £29.95 from the Oxford Wine Company and can be found in most pubs and bars thought Oxford.

At the end of the evening I will be settling down with a select group of friends and a bottle of Santa Teresa’s 1796 Ron Antiguo de Solera Rum. This fine Venezuelan rum is a masterful blend of rums aged from 4 to 35 years old which are then put into a solera ageing system for further ageing. It has amazing depth and complexity with a lovely smokiness making it perfect for a lovely sweet Cigar. We will be watching the sun rise on the 1 of January with a generous helping of rum and Cigar in hand.”

Happy New Year!!