MacQuitty slams Which? Champagne survey
Jane MacQuitty, The Times wine critic, has strongly criticised the standard of a Which? magazine Champagne tasting that voted a Sainsbury's non-vintage own label brand as its runners-up.
Jane MacQuitty, The Times wine critic, has strongly criticised the standard of a Which? magazine Champagne tasting that voted a Sainsbury's non-vintage own label brand as its runners-up.
She said the decision to award Sainsbury's Blanc de Noirs Brut NV (£15.98) as being only one point less superior to Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label Brut NV (£31.91)"should not be given any attention".
The results of the survey have been widely picked up by the national press as an indication of the huge gulf in prices for Champagne, but not necessarily in the quality.
The Which? tasting also included a Waitrose Blanc de Blancs Brut NV (£21.99) a Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut NV (£18.99) and an Asda Extra Special Premier Cru NV (£17.88) in its top 10.
In today's Times she describes Sainsbury's Blanc de Noirs as "tin, acidic and cheesy-scented" and in her view does not match the 89% vote it received.
She goes on to criticise the judging panel, which reportedly includes Charles Metcalfe and former Sunday Times wine critic, Joanna Simon.
"The trouble with blind tasting panels, such as this one, is that the results are only as good as the opinions of the weakest taster," she says.
"If a great wine is erroneously given a bottom mark by a poor taster, it will be denied star status."
"Equally, if a mediocre wine is marked up by a point or two, it may be elevated to one of the top positions."
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