With Christmas fast approaching, many of us will soon be heading out to stock up on festive treats, from bottles of Prosecco for toasting to Yule logs to enjoy after Christmas dinner.
So, at Newsquest London we tried festive favourites from cheeseboards to mince pies from six different brands to find out which we thought were the best to buy this festive season.
Our results are a treat…
Prosecco
Winner: Waitrose Blueprint Prosecco DOC
Why it won? Priced at £7.99, this Prosecco was rated as the best for its “easy taste”, with six of the Newsquest team ranking it as their favourite.
The Waitrose Prosecco was rated as the best for its “easy taste”. (Image: Waitrose)
Followed by:
-
M&S Bellante Prosecco Rosé DOC
-
Morrisons The Best Prosecco DOCG
-
Aldi Costellore Prosecco Extra Dry DOC
-
Tesco Finest Prosecco Rose
-
Tesco Finest Prosecco DOC
-
Aldi Zerozecco Sparkling White
Tesco Finest Prosecco Rose (Image: Tesco)
Canapés
Winner: M&S Collection Penguin & Polar Bear Steamed Buns
Why it won? Priced at £8 for eight, these Bao buns featuring a crisp vegetable filling in a hoisin plum sauce, fashioned into whimsical penguins and polar bears, were a firm favourite with the team on account of their flavour and “adorable” appearance.
These M&S Bao Buns, featuring a crisp vegetable filling in a hoisin plum sauce, were a firm favourite. (Image: M&S)
Followed by:
-
Tesco 10 Hoisin Mushroom Candy Cane Bao Buns
-
Aldi Specially Selected Mini Posh Prawn Toast Sandwiches With A Ponzu Dip
-
Morrisons 12 Mozzarella Sticks
-
Tesco Finest 10 Tempura King Prawns
Aldi Specially Selected Mini Posh Prawn Toast Sandwiches (Image: Aldi)
Cheeseboards
Winner: Morrisons The Best Christmas Slate Cheeseboard
Why it won? Coming in at £10, this Cheeseboard from Morrisons features five cheeses ranging from Barber’s Coastal Cheddar to Long Clawson Blue Stilton, and received the highest number of votes from the Newsquest team for its premium feel and range of cheeses.
This Cheeseboard from Morrisons received the highest number of votes from the Newsquest team for its premium feel and range of cheeses. (Image: Morrisons)
Followed by:
-
M&S Cheeseboard Favourites
-
Aldi Specially Selected Ultimate Cheese Selection
-
Tesco Finest 5 Cheese Selection
M&S Cheeseboard Favourites (Image: M&S)
Yule Logs
Winner: Tesco Finest Belgian Chocolate Yule Log
Why it won? With an impressive ten votes, Tesco’s Finest Belgian Chocolate Yule Log was a firm favourite.
Priced at £6.50, this Yule Log was rated at the best on account of its rich flavour and gooey centre.
Tesco’s Finest Belgian Chocolate Yule Log was a firm favourite, on account of its rich flavour and gooey centre. (Image: Tesco)
Followed by:
-
Aldi Specially Selected Hand Finished Belgian Chocolate Yule Log
-
M&S Chocolate Yule Log
-
Waitrose Christmas Chocolate Yule Log
-
Morrisons The Best Chocolate Fudge Yule Log
M&S Chocolate Yule Log (Image: M&S)
Mince Pies
Winning in joint position:
Why they won? Ranked in joint position was Morrisons The Best Mince Pie, priced at £2.75 for six, along with Waitrose No. 1 4 Frangipane Mince Pies with Caramelised Almonds, priced at £4 for four.
The Morrisons Mince pies were a favourite on account of their fruity and strong flavours, whilst Waitrose’s more contemporary option was rated for its unusual flavour and tart-like texture.
The Morrisons Mince pies were a favourite on account of their fruity and strong flavours. (Image: Morrisons)
Followed by:
-
Tesco Finest Mince Pies 6 Pack
-
Tesco Finest 4 Rich Plum & Port Mince Pies
-
Waitrose No. 1 4 Crumble Top Mince Pies with Cranberry & Orange
-
M&S Collection 9 Mini Mince Pies
Tesco Finest Mince Pies (Image: Tesco)
Panettones
Winner: Carluccio’s Panettone Tradizionale
Why it won? Panettones were a very tight category, with the first three coming in with a high number of votes, however the Carluccio’s Panettone with its dried fruit, candied citrus peel & hazelnut glaze coating was a favourite.
Coming in at £26.95 for 1kg, this was one of the more luxury options on the list, but it was rated the best with its almondy flavour and texture.
Followed by:
-
Waitrose No. 1 Sicilian Orange Nocciolato Panettone
-
Morrisons Classic Panettone
-
Tesco Finest Blackberry & Dark Chocolate Panettone
-
Carluccio’s Panettone con Crema Zabaione
Waitrose No. 1 Sicilian Orange Nocciolato Panettone (Image: Waitrose)