1. To prepare the granita,combine 220g grams of white sugar and 250mls of water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves,remove syrup from heat and set aside to cool.
2. Finely grate the zest rind from one lemon. Juice both and combine juice,zest, champagne,rind and sugar syrup in a medium bowl,then pour into a shallow tray and place in freezer to freeze. Scrape with a fork every 30 minutes until completely frozen into ice crystals.
3. Prepare fruit as described, taking care to dice fruit to roughly the the approximate size of halved cherries. Place in a large bowl or a large lidded container with lid.
4. Combine 250g sugar and in 250ml of water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add mango stones and stir until sugar dissolves then bring to boil and allow to cool. Strain.
5. Combine 200ml of cooled syrup with sparkling wine, pour over fruit and leave to macerate for at least one hour,or preferably overnight.
6. To serve,put the fruit in a serving bowl with champagne granita heaped on top. Finish with a scoop of ice-cream or with spoonful of lightly whipped cream.
*Tip: If using tinned peaches,replace 200ml of prepared syrup with saved syrup from tinned peaches.
ALSO:See Porteno's other Christmas recipes,octopus and prawn salad anda porchetta to complete your festive spread.