Popping the cork on the best champagnes for New Year's Eve celebrations

New Year's Eve is one of the few nights of the year when we can dress up, party, and pop the cork on a bottle of champagne that's so delicious and drinkable, chances are it may be long gone before Big Ben chimes at midnight.

With this in mind, you can always save the fun fizz for the party poppers, hats and blowers - and get the ball rolling with the bubbles you'd really like to be seen with and suit your style and taste before the final countdown...

THE VOICE OF A VINTAGE

A wine that reflects the character of a particular year, Waitrose Brut Special Reserve Vintage Champagne 2005 (currently £19.99, down from from £24.99 until January 3, Waitrose) will gently tease your taste buds with its rich and toasty flavours that are powered by pinot noir (the harvest produced excellent wines), and yet there's a delightful freshness on the long, honeyed finish to ensure it's pitch perfect. An IWC gold medal winner.

THE FRAGRANT ONE

If you have a nose for the finer things in life, Champagne De St Gall Grand Cru 2009 (£35, Marks & Spencer) is made from 100% chardonnay (a blanc de blancs) and displays a wonderful floral freshness intertwined with a creamy, yeasty richness. With satisfying depth of flavour, it's a perfect match with smoked salmon canapes.

THE SHOWMAN

With Olympic medal winner Usain Bolt as their new CEO - chief entertainment officer, G H Mumm are breathing new life into their Cordon Rouge brand with the release of Champagne Mumm Grand Cordon (£39, www.sohowine.co.uk). Dressed with a red ribbon that's indented in the glass, the beads of bubbles impress with their mouth filling strength, toasty, peachy fruit and long finish.

THE DINNER PARTY HOST

Stylish, beautifully balanced and well presented, if you're stepping out to a black tie affair and need to bring a liquid gift, the entry level Champagne Taittinger Brut Reserve NV Gift Box (£25.99, Amazon) from this famous house more than delivers with its freshness, minerality and clean, crisp, fruity palate.

THE DRINKS CONNOISSEUR

A small grower champagne, Vilmart ferment their wines in oak for added complexity and depth of flavour (as do Krug), and if you like a champagne that has a luxurious mouth feel with generous orchard fruits and a long, refreshing finish, Champagne Vilmart Grande Reserve Brut Premier Cru NV (£29.99, www.virginwines.co.uk) is the champers of choice.

THE HEDONIST IN THE CELLAR

The father of champagne, Dom Perignon have teamed up with contemporary artist Michael Riedel to create this limited-edition Champagne Dom Perignon Brut 2006 (£155, www.harrods.com) which is decorated in festive fir green lettering. The DP style is elegant with the focus on finesse, but this particular vintage is 'juicy and opulent' with the 'unexpected hint of green citrus that marks the vintage'. With the potential for cellaring, these fine bubbles can stand the test of time.

THE BARGAIN HUNTER

Braved the sales and thirsty for something sparkly but not pricey? Try Champagne Pierre Darcys Brut, France (currently £10, down from £18, until January 1, Asda) which opens with lifted aromas of lemon and apple and an enlivened freshness and crispness to leave you looking forward to the next glass and start planning the evening.

THE PLEASURE SEEKER

Special delivery, it's worth picking up a few bottles of Wm Morrison Champagne Brut NV (£15 from £19, until January 1, Morrisons) if you're planning to pop the corks on New Year's Day as well. Outstanding value while discounted, it shows pretty florals, a toasty richness and the pristine, fruity flavours glide along with lemony accents on the fresh finish.