The Best Champagnes, According To Experts
If you want to pop open the real deal on NYE, these are the brands to buy.
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There are many varieties of sparkling wine from all over the world, but Champagne is far and away considered to be the gold standard. And yes, the wine snobs are correct: it's only Champagne if it comes from the Champagne region of France. Located about 90 minutes east of Paris, Champagne is renowned for this long-standing history of winemaking.
Compared to other sparkling wines like Spanish cava and Italian prosecco, Champagne's luxurious reputation means you're generally going to fork over more money for it. And major Champagne houses, like Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Dom Pérignon, can sell bottles for hundreds of dollars. But those fancy brands aren't the only producers in the region.
Since around the mid 1980s, smaller independent vineyards have revolutionized Champagne. Larger corporate producers typically source their grapes from different growers all over the region to make consistent blends. Some of the most exciting bottles on the market, however, are considered grower Champagnes, where small farmers produce and sell their own wine using their own grapes. The flavor and quality of these wines change every year based on the weather. While that may make the Champagne less reliable, it also allows for the personalities and quirks of the grapes to shine through.
World-famous sommelier Aldo Sohm compares grower Champagnes to farmers' market apples: "It might have a brown spot and not be presented in a polished pyramid," he writes in his book Wine Simple, "but the flavor is incredible, and I know it wasn't treated with a bunch of chemicals, harvested while green, coated with wax, and shipped here from South America. Just saying!"
Another perk? Since grower Champagnes don't have decades of clout behind them, you can typically buy a bottle for a lot less than you would spend on a more established brand. We consulted sommeliers, importers, and enthusiasts for their top Champagne picks, both from smaller growers and larger Champagne houses. So if you're planning on treating yourself to Champagne to ring in 2024, check out these expert-approved recommendations:
Jacques Lassaigne "Les Vignes de Montgueux" Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
Sommelier Georges Kalligeros of D-I Wine recommends this Champagne, made entirely with 100% Chardonnay grapes that are harvested by hand at Emmanuel Lassaigne's family vineyard.
"It has a lovely mineral-driven nose with zesty aromatics," he says. "Your taste buds will come alive with captivating minerality, crisp citrus notes with a long lingering saline finish."
If you want a versatile Champagne to sip at your NYE party, Kalligeros suggests a bottle from Champagne Chavost. Winemaker Fabian Daviaux uses organically farmed grapes and forgoes any added sulfites or sugars. The finished product is perfectly balanced, with flavors of pear, red berries, and florals highlighted with a slightly chalky undertone.
When it comes to more traditional Champagne houses, Kalligeros loves wine from Maison Drappier. Founded in 1808, they were one of the first houses in the region to commit to sustainable and organic farming.
"This is a wine that has freedom to express itself. The nose is crisp and shows ample red and citrus fruits," he says. "A classic Champagne for a reason."
If you didn't know before, now you know: you can also get Champagne in rosé form. Champagne can be made with a variety of white and red grapes, and this bottle gets its pink hue from the skins of Pinot Meunier. Kalligeros loves this playful Champagne because of its complex freshness and notes of red berries and licorice.
Delish's Senior Designer Alison Dominguez's go-to is Piper-Heidsieck. It packs some serious bubbles in a small package without being too expensive. It's fresh, crisp, clean, and all-around great for a crowd.
Samantha Heuker, Manager of Wine Clubs at SommSelect, loves this grower Champagne (another rosé!) from André Clouet. She says that this wine "feels far more expensive than it is" and has a fuller body and structure than your average Champagne.
For this Champagne, Heuker recommends forgoing the classic flute for an open-mouth flute or regular wine glass to allow the Champagne to truly shine.
This wine label may look new and modern, but the Moussé family has been making Champagne for 12 generations. Heuker recommends this bottle for anybody in search of "the most cutting-edge, future-facing Champagne maker on the market."
Famille Moussé employs biodynamic farming practices, but their vineyard also uses solar power, sources their packaging from recycled materials, and produces their own naturally-derived sulfur.
But how does the wine taste? According to Heuker, it's a "classic, elegant expression" that will win over a crowd and start a conversation.
Drinking a glass of Champagne from Paul Déthune is like going on a roller coaster. Heuker describes this bottle as a "force of nature" that takes you on a journey through creamy, rocky, and saline flavors. This is truly a Champagne meant for celebration that hits above its weight compared to other wines at this price point.
If you want a more traditional Champagne that's always reliable, Pol Roger is your best bet. This medium-bodied Champagne has a light, toasty flavor that pairs well with just about any festive celebration. It's also easy to find at just about any wine shop.
Jack Brogan of natural wine importer Super Glou emphatically recommends wines from Lelarge-Pugeot. This small grower in Vrigny boasts eight generations of winemakers and is a fully biodynamic estate. This producer is so good that they were even chosen to make a special bottle in honor of King Charles' 70th birthday.
Brogan says that their most affordable offering, Tradition, "really punches up. It drinks much more expensive than it is." This primarily Pinot Meunier blend is delicate, fresh, and features a crisp minerality.
It's iconic, it's consistent, it's well-known. Veuve Clicquot is one of the largest Champagne houses in the region, and their reputation precedes them. You're alway know what you're going to get, and it has a flavor that most people will love. If you're planning on serving a crowd and don't want to delve into the world of grower Champagne just yet, get this.
If you want to impress the Champagne snobs at your party, bring out this bottle. Louis Roederer is one of the most renowned Champagne houses, and among the most respected by smaller growers in the region. They're the makers behind the iconic Cristal, but this collaboration with designer Philippe Starck is the house's first all-natural Champagne.
Unlike the classic Cristal, this Brut Nature is more modern with a strong mineral-driven flavor and crisp acidity. And another major plus: it's a fraction of the cost.
Delish's Visual Director Rebecca Simpson Steele always celebrates the holidays with a bottle of Klepka Sausse, and it's easy to see why. At around $40 a bottle, it's a great budget pick that's worth every penny. It's delightfully creamy with a mild honey-like sweetness that makes it appropriate for NYE or small everyday celebrations.
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