Bring on the bubbly: Woolies to sell champagne for £5 a bottle

As with any bottle of bubbly, it's vital to choose the perfect food to go with it.

But this being Woolies, the label on the back doesn't advise drinkers which sort of seafood or cheese they should choose.

Instead, it points them towards the best of the company's pick 'n' mix – chocolate raisins, peach fizzies and strawberry milkshake candy.

The Champagne, which will go on sale on Monday, comes in a standard 750cl bottle.

It will cost less than half the price of the own-label bottles at rivals such as Asda and Tesco, currently believed to be the cheapest in Britain.

It will be sold at 15 stores where the chain has obtained a drinks licence and is expected to be so popular that customers are limited to one bottle.

Despite Champagne's reputation as the toast of upmarket occasions, prices have been falling steadily.

Experts argue Champagne is not as expensive to produce as many believe.

Indeed, sparkling wines from the U.S. and Australia and Cava from Spain have long been cheaper despite their close similarities to Champagne.

Woolworths also say that their £5 Champagne is not a loss leader and they will make a profit on every bottle.

Woolworths' managing director, Tony Page, said: "Champagne is a luxury product but it can be produced cheaply and efficiently so there is no reason why it can't be sold at value prices."

The Champagne will be sold in parts of stores away from children's products and staff will be warned to look out for potential under-age buyers.

Woolies have branded the Champagne "Worthit!" to tie in with an advertising campaign for a range of "value" products.

Mr Page said: "We're not pretending to be wine experts but our supplier is an expert and has sourced us good Champagne at the right price to attract Woolworths customers.

"Worthit! Champagne does what it says on the label but at a ridiculously low price."

The non-vintage Champagne is a mixture of three grape bases – 40 per cent chardonnay, 30 per cent pinot noir and 30 per cent pinot meunier.

Produced by Henri Villois in France, it has been aged in the bottle in cool and dark cellars in Epernay in the country's Champagne region.

Research by the store into buying habits showed even those on tight budgets often make room for luxury purchases on special occasions.

If the Champagne sells well Woolworths could move into other luxury markets next year.

The chain is considering selling cut price caviar, diamond jewellery and perfumes under the Worthit! brand.