Not champagne

The BBC spent £20,183.82 with its preferred wine merchant last year (Majestic). Top single wine seller was an English sparkling, Balfour 1503 NV Brut, a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir from the Hush Heath Estate in Staplehurst, Kent. "Refined in structure, with a finely beaded mousse and pale pink highlights. Tightly structured, combining crisp apple and citrus fruit with nuances of pepper and thyme. Enjoy immediately. Best with light seafood."

It retails currently at £25.99, or £21.99 if you pick up six. We have no idea how far the BBC buyers battered Majestic down, but they spent £923.58 on the stuff. Heaven forfend the DG finding out it was actually more expensive per bottle than champagne, which is, of course, banned.  Majestic offer Nicolas Courtin Brut NV at just £14.99 for 'mix six'.

The detail comes from a Freedom of Information request. The BBC wishes users of the info to include these lines.....

A BBC spokesperson said, “The BBC has strict rules around the purchase of alcohol meaning costs have been cut by over fifty percent.”