Outstanding Champagne bottles to add to your cellar in 2026
Champagne is the world’s most luxurious sparkling wine, made exclusively in northeastern France under strict AOC rules. We tasted bottles from iconic houses and boutique producers, scoring each on a 5 point scale. Our standout Champagne is Billecart-Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire 2007, a rare single vineyard expression rated 5/5.
Table of Contents
What are the best French Champagnes to buy?
Le Clos Saint-Hilaire – Billecart – Salmon 2007
Champagne, France
Cristal Brut – Louis Roederer 2016
Champagne, France
Blanc Des Millénaires – Charles Heidsieck 2007
Champagne, France
Cuvée Louis Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs – Billecart-Salmon 2009
Champagne, France
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut NV
Champagne, France
Imperial Brut – Moët & Chandon NV
Champagne, France
Les Dessous De Mont Blanc De Noirs Premier Cru – Champagne Doré 2019
Champagne, France
Le Rosé Brut – Lanson NV
Champagne, France
Rosé de Saignée Brut – Jean Vesselle NV
Champagne, France
Grand Cordon Rosé – G. H. Mumm NV
Champagne, France
The best Champagnes of this month range from the lively G. H. Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé, rated at 4.6/5 and costing approximately $45, to the prestigious Le Clos Saint-Hilaire 2007 by Billecart-Salmon, a 5/5 bottling of 100% Pinot Noir which you can get for around $660. The list spans Brut, Extra Brut and Extra Dry styles, selected for balanced flavor across every price point.
What does Champagne taste like?
Champagne tastes bright and refreshing, with crisp acidity and flavors of citrus, green apple and toasted almonds. It features fine bubbles and mineral undertones, with aged bottles offering a more complex, creamy mouthfeel.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Grape Variety | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier (blends or single-varietal) |
| Origin | Champagne AOC, France |
| Serving Temperature | 45°F-50°F (8°C-10°C) (not ice cold) |
| Decanting | 15-30 minutes, optional (mainly to extract flavor in youthful Champagnes) |
| Aging Potential | NV: 3-5 yrs / Vintage: 10-20+ yrs / Prestige: 20-30+ yrs |
| Flavor Profile | Green apple, citrus, brioche, almond, toast, mineral |
| Structure | Light to medium body, razor acidity, persistent mousse |
| Alcohol Content | 12%-12.5% |
| Ideal Glass | Tulip or white wine glass |
| Food Pairing | Oysters, caviar, fried chicken, truffle dishes, aged Comté |
| Top Communes | Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne |
| Notable Producers | Krug, Dom Pérignon, Salon, Bollinger, Jacques Selosse, Moët & Chandon |
In a bottle of Champagne, you can expect:
- Citrusy flavors like lemon and grapefruit (especially in younger Champagnes)
- Tree fruits, primarily green apple, white cherry and pear
- Toasty brioche, almond or biscuits (due to lees aging)
What is Champagne?
- Champagne
Champagne is a French sparkling wine made exclusively in the Champagne region of northeastern France using the famous méthode champenoise, which involves a second fermentation in bottle. Champagne is protected by AOC laws and only wines produced in Champagne can carry the name.
Its primary grapes are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier. ABV: 12 - 12.5%.
A 100% French product, most of the stages involved in producing Champagne, from vine pruning to harvesting, are carried out by hand, as specified by strict AOC regulations (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée). Vineyard practices like careful desuckering to remove non fruitful shoots, lifting creepers and limiting maximum yields are designed to create the exquisite Champagne we all enjoy today!
How is Champagne made?
The Champagne grapes ( Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier)are first vinified into a highly acidic still wine by pressing and fermentation. After the first fermentation, the base wine undergoes the following processes:
- Blending or assemblage: where the “chef de cave” (cellar master) combines wines from different vintages to achieve a unique final blend. This step does not happen in crafting vintage Champagnes.
- The next step is bottle fermentation, the backbone of Champagne production. A mixture of sugar and yeast is added to the wine before bottling, causing carbon dioxide (CO2) to form and create bubbles (or prise de mousse).
- Champagne ages on lees for a period of time, depending on the type of Champagne being made. Non vintage Champagne is left for at least 15 months, while vintage Champagne must be in contact for at least 3 years for added complexity and toast notes.
- Riddling (remuage) involves manually or mechanically manipulating the bottles to collect the yeast cells and sediment at the neck. Manually, Champagne bottles are rotated and shaken every few days until they are vertical and the yeast cells have settled towards the neck.
- In disgorgement, winemakers use an ice cold solution to chill the neck of each bottle until the yeast cells are frozen. Then, they remove the cap. Internal pressure that has built up during secondary fermentation expels the spent yeast cells, leaving clear wine.
- Dosage involves using a small amount of wine that may or may not be mixed with sugar to top up the contents of the bottle. The purpose of this addition is to adjust sweetness levels and replace whatever wine was lost in the previous step.
What are the types of Champagne?
There are three types of Champagne depending on the grape varieties used in winemaking:
- Blanc de Blancs (white of whites) is made from 100% white grapes, most commonly Chardonnay. Other white wine grapes that may be used are Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petite Meslier or Arbane.
- Rosé champagne is created by blending white wine with tiny bits of Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier. It is generally fruitier than Blanc de Blancs, with occasional hints of spices and herbs.
- Blanc de Noirs (white of blacks) is made from 100% black grapes, usually Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier. There is minimal contact between grape skins and wine during vinification, giving the wines a more yellow color.
Based on sweetness levels, Champagne is classified as:
- Brut Nature, with less than 3g/L of residual sugar.
- Extra Brut is very dry, with 3-6g/L of residual sugar.
- Brut Champagne is the most popular style at 6-12g/L sweetness levels.
- Extra Dry, also known as Extra Sec, contains between 12-17g/L of residual sugar.
- Dry or Sec or Seco is significantly sweeter than Brut, with about 17-32g/L of sugar.
- Demi Sec Champagne contains 32-50g/L residual sugar.
- Doux is the sweetest Champagne of all, with more than 50g/L residual sugar.
Champagne falls in three categories, depending on aging style:
- Non Vintage (NV) is the most common Champagne style, designed for consistency. It blends wines from multiple harvests and it is aged for a minimum of 15 months (with 12 months spent on lees) before release.
- Vintage Champagne is produced only in exceptional years, using grapes from a single harvest. Also called Millésimé, it must be aged for a minimum of 3 years on lees.
- Prestige Cuvée represents the pinnacle offering from a house, made from grand cru grapes and aged significantly longer (5 to 8 years). These are the most expensive, highly collectible Champagne bottles with intense, complex flavors absent in regular bottles. Examples include Dom Pérignon and Krug.
Sublime Demi-Sec by Piper-Heidsieck – France
Brut Reserve by Gusbourne 2019 – England
New to Champagne? Here are 5 tips to get started
Champagne might sound intimidating to wine beginners, but it’s easier to enjoy than you think! The secret to starting right lies in non vintage Champagnes These expertly crafted blends deliver the authentic Champagne experience at accessible prices, while maintaining each house’s signature character.
Here are 5 tips to enjoy a bottle of Champagne as a beginner:
- Start with non vintage Champagne for a more consistent taste at affordable prices.
- Look for the classic “Brut” style as it is versatile and food friendly.
- Chill in the fridge or an ice bucket to around 46°F-50°F (8°C-10°C), too much cold mutes the aroma.
- To open Champagne, remove the foil and cage and hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle, pointing away from people. Keeping your thumb on top of the cork, twist the bottom of the bottle slowly until the cork pops off.
- Serve in a tulip shaped glass, narrow flute or coupe and enjoy!
Where is Champagne produced?
The Champagne wine region is a one of a kind area located in France, 90 miles (150 km) east of Paris. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, legally protected under the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) designation. Only wines that meet the following criteria can bear the name “Champagne.”
To qualify as such:
- It must be produced in the Champagne region of northeastern France.
- Most of the grapes must be Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or Pinot Meunier.
- 100% of the grapes must be grown and hand harvested in the defined Champagne area.
- The wines must be made with the méthode champenoise.
There are five major communes in the Champagne region:
- Montagne de Reims, located between the Marne and the Vesle rivers, is known for its fragrant, crisp Champagne.
- Côte des Blancs: Chardonnay is the most cultivated variety in this region (95%) and the Champagne produced here is termed “blanc de blancs”, some of the finest in the world.
- Vallée de la Marne produces delicate sparkling wines with an exceptional body majorly from Pinot Meunier grapes, particularly in the Aÿ region.
- Aube (Côte des Bar) is on the border between Champagne and Burgundy, with Pinot Noir being the major grape used to craft a richer style of Champagne.
- Côte de Sézanne offers a taste of Chardonnay dominated sparkling wines, located south of the Côte des Blancs.
When you sip a glass of the best French Champagne, you’re tasting something that literally couldn’t be made anywhere else on Earth.
3 Champagne bottles to gift and impress
Champagne is a great gift idea due to its aesthetically pleasing bottle designs and impressive taste. You can make a choice between showcasing recognizable luxury, stunning packaging or expertise on top cuvées. Here are some of the best Champagne bottles to gift:
Cristal Brut Vinothèque with Gift Box – Louis Roederer 2004 – Champagne, France
Ace of Spades Brut Gold (1.5 Liter Magnum) – Armand de Brignac – Champagne, France
Vintage Luminous Bottle – Dom Pérignon 2015 – Champagne, France
If the cost of a Champagne bottle is above your budget, consider wines similar to Champagne, such as Cava, Crémant and Prosecco.
What are the wines similar to Champagne?
Franciacorta, Prosecco, Cava and Crémant are some wines, just like Champagne, to gift and impress. Franciacorta, Cava and Crémant are crafted with the traditional method like Champagne, resulting in a flavor profile with similar toasty notes and fine bubbles. Prosecco, on the other hand, is produced using the tank (Charmat-Martinotti) method, where secondary fermentation occurs in large stainless steel tanks.
Here is an overview of the sparkling wines similar to Champagne and their origins:
- Franciacorta is an Italian sparkling wine made from Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco
- Prosecco originates from Italy, made from at least 85% Glera grapes.
- Crémant is a sparkling wine made in France, anywhere but the Champagne region, typically from Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.
- Cava is from Spain and the primary grape varieties are Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada.
Check out the table below for our top picks of these sparkling wines that are similar to Champagne!
| Wine /Grape | Top Wine & Wine Maker | Rating | Tasting Notes | Wine Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franciacorta vs Champagne | ‘61 Franciacorta Brut Nature 2015 – Berlucchi – Italy | 5/5 | Full bodied with vibrant acidity and doughy notes of earthy baked apple, stone fruit, sugar and sweet spices. | Franciacorta is creamy, softer and more floral than Champagne due to the warmer climate in Lombardy where it is produced. |
| Prosecco vs Champagne | Cartizze Prosecco Superiore 2024 – Bisol – Italy | 5/5 | Easy drinking wine with refreshing acidity and harmonious white peach, pear and flowers. | Prosecco has larger, frothier bubbles and lighter fresh fruit notes of pear and apple than Champagne. |
| Crémant vs Champagne | Cadence Extra Brut Crémant de Loire 2017 – France | 4.9/5 | Beautiful acidity with soft integrated aromas of brioche, golden apple and white peach. | Cremant is slightly less acidic and fruitier than Champagne. It is also made from varied grape varieties. |
| Cava vs Champagne | Reserva Heredad Cava Brut – Segura Viudas – Spain | 4.8/5 | Lightly smoky opening, offering pleasing aromas of brioche, earth and green apple. | Cava is more citrusy, lighter and savory compared to the crisp notes seen in Champagne. |
How to serve and store Champagne?
Champagne is best stored horizontally, away from bright light in a cool, temperature controlled room. Proper storage is essential for preserving its effervescence and delicate flavors, which contribute to an enjoyable tasting experience.
Here are our tips to store and serve Champagne properly:
- Store bottles in a consistently cool and dark place with no vibrations.
- Keep Champagne bottles lying horizontally so that the corks stay moist and air does not enter the wine.
- Aim for a serving temperature between 46°F-50°F (8°C-10°C).
- Pour Champagne into a tulip wine glass, a flute, or a coupe of your choice and savor your bubbly.
Pro Tip: We recommend preserving Champagne in a wine cellar or wine fridge, not in a regular kitchen fridge. It is too cold and dry for long term storage.
What food pairs well with Champagne?
French Champagne pairs well with salty, fried or savory food due to its high acidity and palate cleansing bubbles. Brut Champagne is the most versatile and it can be enjoyed with anything from aged cheddar to a Thai chicken curry. Demi Sec styles complement desserts, fruit cakes and other sweet dishes. Hosting a dinner? Match the bottle with the menu using our pairing guide below.
Fun fact: in France, it’s traditional to enjoy Champagne with buttered brioche for breakfast during celebrations, the ultimate luxurious start to the day!
| Food Pairing | Best Champagne Bottle | Aged | Rating | Type & Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potato chips, buttered popcorn, french fries, mini quiches | Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut – Champagne Le Mesnil – France | 1-3 years ABV 12.5% | 5/5 | Precise, delicate nose of white flowers, creamy. |
| Oysters, lobsters in butter sauce, caviar, sashimi | Conversation Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru – Champagne J.L. Vergnon – France | 1-3 years ABV 12% | 5/5 | Complex, mineral, medium bodied, sweet fruit notes. |
| Chicken breast in cream sauce, roasted duck with berry glaze, fried chicken, blanquette de veau | Brut Rosé No. 3 – Champagne André – France | 1-3 years ABV 12% | 4.9/5 | Round, juicy, bright acidity, long finish. |
| Brie, Camembert, baby Swiss, aged Gouda | Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Terroir Natal – Champagne Sanger – France | 1-3 years ABV 12% | 4.9/5 | Balanced, mineral, , tart undertones. |
| Celebration brunch with eggs Benedict, Smoked Salmon | Reserve Exclusive Brut – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte – France | 1-3 years ABV 12% | 4.8/5 | Balanced, medium bodied, silky. |
How we rate Champagne
Our editorial team rates wines based on a 5 point scale, assigning scores after assessing the appearance, aroma/bouquet, flavor/palate and overall impression of the wine. Any wine bottle that we recommend to you has been blind tasted and personally scored by our expert tasting panel without bias. The scores are totaled and aggregated over 50 points, before we then convert to the simple 5 point scale that you see.
The 5 point scale can be interpreted thus:
- 5 = Exceptional
- 4 = Excellent
- 3 = Very Good
- 2 = Good
- 1 = Fair
What do we look for?
- Appearance (up to 5 points): clarity, color, brightness
- Aroma & bouquet (up to 15 points): intensity, complexity, absence of flaws
- Flavor & Palate (up to 20 points): balance of acidity, tannin, alcohol, depth, mouthfeel
- Overall impression (up to 10 points): harmony, complexity, typicity, finish, aging potential
A wine that is rated between 4 and 5 points indicates its outstanding quality, while mediocre bottles may score as low as 1 point.
We specifically evaluated Champagne based on the following:
- Perlage: quality is indicated by a tiny bead size and the fineness and persistence of the bubbles.
- Taste: harmonious acidity and richness, creaminess or “mousse” mouthfeel and length of the finish.
- Aromas: layers of primary aromas (fresh fruit and white flowers), autolytic aromas from lees aging (toast and brioche) and tertiary aromas (honey, truffle).
Each Champagne is rated against bottles in its category; Non Vintage Champagne is compared to its peers, Vintage bottles against other releases from a single year and Prestige Cuvée against top of the line Champagnes. This ensures that our scores reflect quality without bias, within the appropriate price ranges and style tiers.
A note from our team: we understand that Champagne preferences are determined by personal taste and our scores are a reflection of the palate and taste of our tasting team. Therefore, we recommend that you read our tasting notes to find the Champagne bottles you will enjoy the most, which is what we care about more than any number.
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FAQs on Champagne
What are the best Champagnes in the world?
The best Champagne in the world is Billecart- Salmon Le Clos Saint Hilaire 2007 (5/5, ~$650). This blanc de noirs has received 98 points from James Suckling and 96 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. It is medium to full bodied with complex notes of chalk, raspberries and nutmeg. Other top contenders are Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2016 and Blanc Des Millénaires 2007 by Charles Heidsieck.
What is Global Champagne Day?
Global Champagne Day is an annual celebration held on the third Friday of October to honor the heritage, culture and joy of Champagne. Around the world, enthusiasts raise a glass to toast the iconic sparkling wine, often with tastings, events and social media tributes to its elegance and tradition.
What is the highest grade of Champagne?
The highest grade of Champagne is Grand Cru, made from grapes grown in the 17 best rated villages in France’s Champagne region. These Champagnes, like Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, undergo strict quality control yielding refined flavors and exceptional aging potential. Premier Cru is the next tier, still excellent but slightly less exclusive than Grand Cru.
What is the best sweet Champagne?
The best sweet Champagne is Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial Rosé, a demi sec (semi sweet) style with fruity, floral notes. For a richer sweetness, Veuve Clicquot Demi Sec offers honeyed flavors while Dom Pérignon P2 Plénitude Sec provides a refined, slightly sweet profile. These Champagnes balance sweetness with acidity, making them perfect for desserts.
What is the best American Champagne?
The best American "Champagne" (legally called sparkling wine) is Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs from California. Made in the traditional method, it rivals French Champagne with its crisp acidity and fine bubbles. Other top options include Domaine Carneros Brut and Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut, known for their elegance and complexity.
Is Champagne sweet or dry?
Champagne ranges from bone dry (Brut Nature) to sweet (Doux). The most common style is Brut, which is dry with a hint of sweetness. Extra Brut is drier, while Sec and Demi Sec are noticeably sweeter. The sweetness level depends on dosage (added sugar), allowing Champagne to pair with various foods or suit different palates.
What is Champagne ABV?
Champagne typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 12% to 12.5%, similar to most still wines. The secondary fermentation process doesn’t significantly increase alcohol content. Some prestige cuvées may reach 13%-13.5% ABV, but Champagne is generally light enough to enjoy without overwhelming potency making it ideal for celebrations.
Is good Champagne wine produced only in France?
True Champagne comes exclusively from France’s Champagne region, protected by EU law. Sparkling wines made elsewhere (e.g., California, Italy) must be labeled differently, like "sparkling wine" or "Cava." However, some U.S. producers grandfathered before 2006 can legally use "Champagne" on labels, though purists recognize only French made Champagne.
How long can you keep a bottle of Champagne open?
An opened bottle of Champagne stays fresh for 1-3 days if properly sealed with a sparkling wine stopper and refrigerated. The bubbles fade over time but the flavor remains enjoyable. Non vintage Champagne loses effervescence faster than vintage or prestige cuvées which may retain quality slightly longer due to their robust structure.
Should Champagne be chilled?
Yes, Champagne should be chilled to 45-50°F for optimal taste. If it is too cold, the flavors get muted, while too warm Champagne loses crispness. Chill for 3 hours in the fridge or 30 minutes in an ice bucket. Prestige cuvées benefit from slightly warmer serving temperatures (50-55°F) to enhance their complex aromas.
