Champagne is the ultimate celebration wine, but its premium price tag can sometimes be intimidating. To help make sure you’re shelling out for the right bottle, we’ve compiled a list of the best Champagnes to buy right now, whether your special occasion splurge is well over $100 or taps out at $50.
The bottles on this list range from classic blends made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, to sparkling rosés and blanc de blancs. Prices stretch from a reasonable $40 for entry-level, non-vintage bubbles, to $200 and up for premium vintage offerings and prestige cuvées.
All bubbles here were judged non-blind by VinePair’s tasting panel. Because we taste wines regularly, and we think sipping Champagne should be a year-round experience, we continually update this ranking. That means we regularly add new bottles, but also, occasionally, have to remove previous favorites whose current releases don’t match up to prior incarnations.
Here is VinePair’s list of the best Champagnes to buy right now!
Table Of Contents
Under $50
De Saint-Gall ‘Le Tradition’ Premier Cru Brut
This Total Wine exclusive delivers incredible value for money. Its bubbles are fine and well-integrated, while enjoyable notes of meyer lemon and fresh orchard fruits run throughout. Given its price and availability, this should be your on-hand “house” Champagne.
Average Price: $40
Rating: 91
Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut
A pleasant herbaceous note mingles with aromas of pastry and lemon zest on the nose of this high-quality, entry-level Champagne. The palate is light but has a good concentration of green apple flavors. Its finish is crisp with a faint mineral texture. (Added bonus: It’s the official Champagne of the Oscars.)
Average price: $47
Rating: 92
Under $75
Château de Bligny Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
This Blanc de Blancs Champagne promises to please Chablis drinkers, with crisp, zippy texture and bright citrus notes. A subtle brioche sweetness brings body to the palate, while focused acidity and tight effervescence provide balance.
Average price: $52
Rating: 95
Alfred Gratien Classic Brut
Krug, a Champagne adored by industry professionals, is known for its high price tag and savory characteristics. For those wanting to try the popular brand but don’t want to break the bank, Alfred Gratien’s savory, briny flavors mirror those of the somm-approved brand — for less than a third of the price. It’s aromatic, highly expressive, slightly geeky, and well-worth the spend.
Average price: $60
Rating: 92
Legras & Haas Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut
A fruit-forward, citrusy blanc de blancs, this 100-percent Chardonnay lands with creamy texture and complex depth. Savory notes arrive on the finish, along with a heavy helping of rich brioche. Made using only Grand Cru fruit, and with multiple details surrounding its production included on the back label, Champagne geeks will love this wine.
Average price: $61
Rating: 93
Vincent Charlot ‘Le Fruit de ma Passion’ Extra Brut 2017
A complex and refreshing sparkling wine, this Champagne contains a higher than typical (55 percent) quantity of Pinot Meunier in its blend. Aromas of green apple, honeysuckle, and light brioche define the nose, while the palate is juicy and crisp with a fine mousse. Perfect for sipping on its own or pairing with a light salty snack, this is a delightful bottle of vintage bubbles.
Average price: $62
Rating: 92
Champagne Gremillet Blanc de Noirs
Composed entirely of Pinot Noir, this blanc de noirs is a decidedly fruity Champagne, with prominent notes of Granny Smith apples and Jolly Rancher candy. The palate serves a refreshing balance of sweetness and acidity, with minimal brioche notes. Gremillet Blanc de Noirs has the ideal profile to cut through and match the richness of a country paté or creamy cheese.
Average price: $64
Rating: 91
Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut
A Chardonnay-heavy non-vintage blend, this Champagne has a subtle fruit profile and soft, sweet character that lingers on the finish. While it’s seen some recent price hikes — as has the majority of the Champagne category, in fairness — it remains widely available and makes for a dependable choice to keep on hand.
Average price: $65
Rating: 91
Champagne Louis Roederer Collection 243
Our tasting panel was thoroughly pleased with the savory aromas and firm texture of this Champagne. Its delicate bubbles create a pleasing mouthfeel and its refined, acid-driven flavor profile makes it a versatile option for pairing with food. This is not a fruit-forward wine, but rather a polished and well-balanced option that delivers excellent value for the money.
Average price: $70
Rating: 94
Champagne Drappier Brut Nature
Bone dry and brimming with mineral notes, Champagne Drappier Brut Nature dazzles when paired with seafood, such as oysters, while a sour twang on the finish ensures it will complement rich and creamy dishes. Made entirely from Pinot Noir, it is more expressive than many zero-dosage sparklers, and begins to offer pleasing fruit character with some time in glass.
Average price: $70
Rating: 92
Under $100
Mandois Blanc de Noirs 2015
Another 100 percent Pinot Noir offering, this vintage Champagne will satisfy drinkers whose sparkling preferences lean into the rich and fruity end of the spectrum. Bright and sour cherries stand out most among its fruit notes, while the texture gains a palate-coating richness from intense effervescence and a subtle, confectioners’ sugar sweetness. No food needed to enjoy this wine.
Average price: $75
Rating: 92
Champagne Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
If you only know Billecart-Salmon for its (stunning) rosé wines, it’s time to become acquainted with the house’s excellent whites, including this 100 percent Chardonnay bottling. Fresh and clean floral aromas leap out of the glass, setting the stage for a crisp palate featuring zesty lemon and orange pith notes, and racy acidity.
Average price: $90
Rating: 94
Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs Brut
Sharp, ripe, and juicy, this blanc de blancs has a bright, citrusy flavor and a floral bouquet on the nose. Nice acidity makes this wine lively on the palate with a soft, silky texture. Ideal for gifting a party host, this bottle offers a great value from an iconic Champagne house.
Average price: $91
Rating: 93
Champagne Delamotte Blanc de Blancs
This impressive non-vintage Champagne opens with fresh apple aromas that set the tone for the rest of the wine. Its acidity is pronounced yet balanced, allowing its orchard fruit and citrus notes to elegantly shine. Pair with some fresh fish from the raw bar for a truly memorable experience.
Average price: $91
Rating: 93
Over $100
Champagne Palmer & Co. Vintage 2012
Made using an almost even split of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this bottle of vintage bubbles delivers a complex experience from the get-go. Oxidative notes, akin to those developed during the solera aging of sherry, dominate the nose, while the rich palate treads surprisingly light on its feet thanks to bright acidity.
Average price: $130
Rating: 93
Champagne Lanson ‘Le Vintage’ 2012
More than a decade since its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes were harvested, this vintage Champagne remains energetic and fresh. With rich apple notes forming the core of its profile, sweet, flaky pastry aromas and minerally texture bring enjoyable layers and nuance.
Average price: $135
Rating: 94
Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition
This distinctive Champagne is crafted using 195 wines from 12 different years. Comprising a 51 percent Pinot Noir majority in the blend, the 170th Edition dances between sherried, umami notes, and vibrant fruit character. Both nose and palate are highly expressive, with scents of dried lemon peel and candied ginger leading to toasted nuts, brioche, and a dollop of honey on the palate.
Average price: $210
Rating: 96
Champagne André Jacquart Solera Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs
From grower producer André Jacquart, this Premier Cru, 100 percent Chardonnay is a stunning ambassador for the blanc de blancs style. Flowery, with rich brioche aromas on the nose, electric acidity lends the palate to salty fruit pairings. This is another bottle that’s waiting to elevate your next aperitif hour or canape party.
Average price: $300
Rating: 95
Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut 2010
Despite being produced exclusively from Chardonnay, this vintage blanc de blancs offers a contemplative savory profile, and rich layers of depth. Toasted bready aromas and a distinctive nuttiness are followed by just a hint of espresso grinds. Notes of lemon curd and orange blossom bring fruit back into the fold on the palate, which is chalky, crisp, and pleasantly bubbly.
Average price: $300
Rating: 94
Champagne Louis Roederer Cristal 2014
Iconic and luxurious, in a category where such descriptors are perhaps more common than any other, Cristal remains beloved for a reason: This is a blanc de blancs with a dual personality — rich and decadent on the nose but vibrant and refreshing on the palate. That lends an innate crowd-pleasing appeal, and ensures it will pair with a broad spectrum of foods, from clean seafood dishes to butter-rich pasta plates.
Average price: $350
Rating: 96
Best Rosé Champagnes
Champagne Lallier Grand Rosé
Comprised of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this sparkling rosé arrives with creamy and juicy character. A perfumed nose, rich in watermelon and strawberry aromas, parts for a well-balanced and invigorating palate that’s perfect as an aperitif.
Average price: $70
Rating: 92
Charles Heidsieck Rosé Reserve
The richness and balance of this Champagne make it a great choice for celebration on a (relatively) modest budget. Persistent bubbles and fruity flavors, reminiscent of strawberries and cream, bring depth to each sip. Pair with artisanal cheeses and veggie-based dips.
Average price: $84
Rating: 92
Champagne Boizel Rosé NV
This sparkling rosé contains Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from premier and grand cru vineyards, as well as the “best crus” of Pinot Meunier, according to the brand. Soft strawberry and raspberry notes mingle with yogurt on the nose, while the palate shows good grip and lends itself to summer afternoon sipping.
Average price: $85
Rating: 91
Champagne Billecart-Salmon ‘Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon’ Brut Rosé 2009
This rosé Champagne from Billecart-Salmon shows all of the bright fruit character of previous vintages. Strawberries spring out on the nose — ripe, yet never jammy; fresh but not tart. Velvet texture awaits on the palate, along with lively acidity, elegant bubbles, and a refined, crisp finish. With or without food, this wine will blow you away.
Average price: $225
Rating: 95
Krug Rosé 26eme Edition
The savory nose of this stunning wine instantly identifies it as a Krug release, yet tasted fully blind, one might struggle to deduce that it’s a rosé. The salty, mineral driven palate is full bodied and textured, with each sip delivering invigorating acidity. Fruit is but an afterthought, but an intense concentration of aromas and flavors run throughout this wine. This is worth the splurge for those most special of occasions.
Average price: $400
Rating: 96
FAQ
What type of Champagne is most popular?
The most popular type of Champagne is brut, a dry style of sparkling wine.
How is Champagne different from still wine?
Champagne is a sparkling wine made in the traditional method, meaning it undergoes a secondary fermentation inside of the bottle. Unlike still wine, Champagne is known for its bubbles!
Where does Champagne come from?
All Champagne must be produced in Champagne, France.
VinePair’s tasting methodology
Throughout the year, VinePair conducts numerous tastings for our popular Buy This Booze column, and wine and spirits reviews. Our mission is to provide a clear, reliable source of information for drinkers, providing an overview applicable to day-to-day buying and drinking.
Tastings are not typically conducted blind. In alignment with our reviews mission, we believe in purposefully tasting all products as our readers typically would, with full knowledge of the producer, the region, and — importantly — the price.
For Buy This Booze roundups, we typically include a maximum of one expression per brand, though we do allow multiple products from the same production facility (i.e., released under different labels).
In creating this list of Champagnes, we took into account various criteria before making our final decisions. Our goal was to showcase the diverse range of wines that the renowned region and style has to offer. The budget-friendly bottles included represent the top performers in terms of flavor, balance, and intensity at their price range. As for the more expensive Champagne options, we chose them for their intricate flavors and textural depth, which we believe justifies their higher price tags.
The article The Best Champagne Right Now (UPDATED 2022) appeared first on VinePair.