There’s no denying that Champagne is the star of the sparkling wine world. While other regions try to emulate its pristine acidity and rich, creamy character, nothing really hits like popping a bottle from this historic area in northern France.

Although a great bottle of Champagne can add extra spirit to holidays, birthdays, or even an average Tuesday night, the category’s premium price tag can add extra pressure to the purchase. 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, for every style and pricepoint.

This list includes classic wines from the region’s top Grandes Marques as well as cuvées from smaller grower-producers. There are traditional blends of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, vintage bottlings, a number of impressive Blanc de Blancs, and deeply hued rosés. And the wines range from easy-to-find bubbles and great value picks to rare bottlings and all-out splurges. Read on to discover VinePair’s list of the best Champagnes for 2024.

Why You Should Trust VinePair

Throughout the year, VinePair conducts dozens of tastings for our Buy This Booze product roundups, highlighting the best bottles across the world’s most popular wine and spirits categories.

As part of this work, VinePair’s tasting and editorial staff samples thousands of bottles every year. This helps us keep a finger on the pulse of what’s new and exciting. It also provides us with the crucial context needed to distinguish the simply good from the truly great — whether from a quality or value-for-money perspective, or both.

VinePair’s mission is to offer a clear, reliable source of information for drinkers, providing an overview applicable to day-to-day buying and drinking.

Learn more about VinePair’s tastings and reviews department here.

How We Taste

We believe in tasting all products as our readers typically would: with full knowledge of the producer and — importantly — price. Our tastings are therefore not conducted blind.

VinePair’s tasting panel evaluates every wine on its aromas, flavors, structure, balance, and quality. We also consider whether or not the wine showed typicity for its specific grape or region.

How We Compiled This List

In order to provide our readers with the most comprehensive and thoroughly tested list of the best Champagnes to buy, VinePair invited producers, distributors, and PR firms working on their behalf to send samples for consideration. These bottles were submitted free of charge — producers didn’t pay to submit nor did VinePair pay for the products. All were requested with the clear understanding that submission does not guarantee inclusion in the final list.

For the best Champagnes of the year roundup, our tastings panel gathered for a group tasting at the VinePair HQ. We compiled an initial long list of our favorite wines from 2024, and evaluated each wine individually. Each wine was assessed on quality, price, and availability to compile the final list.

The Best Easy-to-Find Champagne

Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut NV

This signature bottling from the historic Piper-Heidsieck, one of the largest houses in Champagne, is widely available and at a solid price for the quality. The Cuvée Brut is a classic example of a multi-vintage, house-style Champagne. The wine is made with 50 percent Pinot Noir, 30 percent Pinot Meunier, and 20 percent Chardonnay, sourced from across 100 crus, representing the diversity of Champagne’s terroirs. Reserve wines make up a minimum of 25 percent of the final blend, and the final wine is aged on the lees for a minimum of 24 months.

The result is an expressive sparkling wine with aromas of white peaches, brûléed pears, and orange blossom on the nose. The palate offers great freshness with notes of citrus, almonds, stone fruit, and a hint of mint. The bright acidity and lively bubbles are balanced by a creamy texture and slight toasted bread note on the finish. The balanced profile makes it enjoyable to sip on its own as an aperitif or a great pairing for lighter dishes like fresh seafood or a cheese board. And because of its availability, it’s an easy go-to for any dinner party, gifting, or holiday toasting needs.

Average price: $70
Rating: 91

The Best Budget Champagne

Champagne Château de Bligny Blanc de Blancs NV

Located in the heart of the Côte des Bar region, Château de Bligny is a grower-producer with about 75 acres of vines. The historic château, built in 1773, originally functioned as a hunting lodge in the region, but the estate was surrounded by vines, leading it to become a Champagne estate.

The house’s style showcases the refreshing, mineral-driven quality of the Côte de Bar, with its cool climate and steep slopes. This 100 percent Chardonnay bottling delivers exactly what Champagne lovers look for in a Blanc de Blancs. White flowers, green apples, and lime zest pop on the nose. The palate is bright and refreshing with lively bubbles and a saline minerality.

And while $60 might not necessarily be cheap when it comes to other categories, drinkers will be hard-pressed to find a Champagne that offers better value. Stock up on this crowd-pleasing bubbly for big toasts or holiday dinners.

Average price: $60
Rating: 91

The Best Splurge Champagne

Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition

Wine trends come and go, but popping a bottle of Krug is always a worthy splurge. Fans of glou-glou natural wines and big, bold Napa Cabs alike can all get behind this iconic Champagne, so splashing out on a bottle is sure to make heads turn and dinner party guests line up for a sip.

Instead of keeping a consistent house style or declaring only certain vintages, Krug makes a new wine each year, crafting the very best expression of the region possible annually. This wine marks the 172nd edition of this tradition, made primarily with wines from the 2016 harvest blended with reserve wines from 10 other vintages. The final composition is 44 percent Pinot Noir, 36 percent Chardonnay, and 20 percent Pinot Meunier.

The wine demonstrates Krug’s classic luxurious and rich flavor profile, with notes of brioche, vanilla, and fresh pastry dough. The palate is deep and round with flavors of baked golden apples, preserved lemons, and roasted hazelnuts. It has a creamy texture and steady bubbles that keep the palate vibrant.

Average price: $250
Rating: 95

The Best of the Rest

Best Champagnes Under $75

Champagne Leclerc Briant Réserve Brut NV

Leclerc Briant was an early adopter of organic viticulture, implementing the practice in the 1960s. Today, the Champagne house works with about 25 acres of estate vineyards and holds long-term contracts with about 20 additional acres of organically farmed vines to make its expressive wines. This bottle, made with a blend of all three major Champagne grapes, opens with aromas of orange blossoms and lemon zest. On the palate, richer notes of brioche and almonds are revealed with a flavor reminiscent of raspberries covered in powdered sugar.

Average price: $65
Rating: 91

Legras & Haas Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut NV

Made with 100 percent Chardonnay from Legras & Haas’s estate vineyards in the Chouilly Grand Cru, this is the house’s flagship wine, showing its dedication to the Blanc de Blancs style. It’s zesty and bright on the nose, with freshly squeezed lemons and green apples. The palate offers some savory herbaceous hints and a slightly creamy finish.

Average price: $67
Rating: 90

Barnaut ‘Grande Réserve’ Grand Cru Brut Champagne NV

Edmond Barnaut was one of the first grower-producers in the Champagne region, starting the winery in Bouzy in 1874. The estate’s original bottling, made with two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay, is still made today under the Grande Réserve label — using a reserve wine that’s been drawn from and replenished since its conception. Aromas of preserved lemons, yellow apples, and camembert float out of the glass and the rich, creamy finish lingers on the palate.

Average price: $69
Rating: 93

Champagne Louis Roederer Collection 245 NV

While most people are more familiar with the Louis Roederer name from its tête de cuvée wine, Cristal, the Champagne house also produces this much more wallet-friendly bottling. Roederer releases different collections, each representing a new chapter for the winery, and this represents the 245th. This iteration can be defined by notes of ripe peaches, yellow nectarines, rosemary, citrus, and brioche. There’s also a flinty minerality that adds freshness on the palate.

Average price: $70
Rating: 92

Best Champagnes Under $100

Champagne Telmont Reserve Brut NV

Champagne Telmont is renowned for its commitment to organic and sustainable agriculture — which received a fair share of buzz when movie star Leonardo DiCaprio invested in the estate in 2022, citing the Champagne house’s environmental efforts as his motivation. This Réserve Brut bottling, made with 53 percent Pinot Meunier, 31 percent Chardonnay, and 16 percent Pinot Noir offers notes of pears and toasted almonds, with lively bubbles and bright acidity on the palate.

Average price: $76
Rating: 90

Valentin Leflaive CV 18 30 Champagne Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs NV

While the “CV 18 30” on this wine’s label might seem like a random code, there’s actually meaning behind the different numbers and letters on each cuvée from Valentin Leflaive. In this case, the CV signifies that the grapes are sourced from the Cremant Grant Cru and the Vertus Premier Cru vineyards. The number 18 indicates the vintage of the base wine (2018) and the last is the dosage (3.0 here). Made with 100 percent Chardonnay, this bottling is crisp and tart, with green apple and lemon notes, accented by a chalky minerality.

Average price: $84
Rating: 92

Pol Roger Brut Réserve Champagne NV

Though Pol Roger is technically a big Champagne house, there are a few factors that set it apart from its peers. Firstly, the estate has been family-run for six generations, since its founding in 1849, making it one of the few top Champagne houses that’s entirely family-owned and operated. And while many of the larger producers exclusively source grapes, Pol Roger owns close to 55 percent of the vineyards used to make its Champagne — about 225 acres of vines. The Brut Réserve cuvée has a powerful nose with aromas of pears, tropical fruit, and honeysuckle. On the palate it offers concentrated lemon curd, vanilla bean, and apricot with a rich texture.

Average price: $85
Rating: 92

Philipponnat Royale Reserve Brut NV

The Philopponnat family has a deep connection to winemaking, with a history in the business going back to 1522. Today, the 15th generation leader of the winery, Charles Philipponnat, continues the estate’s tradition of producing Pinot Noir-focused Champagnes — including this bottling made with 67 percent Pinot Noir. In the glass, the wine offers bright citrus notes, zippy acidity, and a flinty minerality.

Average price: $86
Rating: 90

Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV

Charles Heidsieck’s signature non-vintage bottling, the Brut Réserve offers a richness and decadence that rivals wines that sell for two or even three times the price. It has a deep golden hue in the glass, and opens with notes of Rainier cherries and vanilla. The palate is luscious with notes of freshly baked brioche, lemon curd, and crème brûlée. Break this bottle out for any occasion that calls for indulgence.

Average price: $90
Rating: 94

Collard-Picard Champagne Prestige ‘Perpétuelle’ NV

Champagne Collard-Picard is relatively new on the block in the historic region, founded in 1996 by Olivier Collard and Caroline Picard. The partners, who both have deep family connections in Champagne, farm about 40 acres of vines. Their expertise comes through in this precise sparkling wine. Notes of stone fruit, orange blossom, and freshly glazed donuts pop on the nose. The palate is round and complex, with a lingering finish that shows the wine’s quality. This bottle might be difficult to find, but seeking it out will be well worth the effort.

Average price: $90
Rating: 95

Champagne Delamotte Blanc de Blancs NV

Founded in 1760 in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, the historic Champagne Delamotte is known for its bright and balanced expressions of Chardonnay. This quintessential Blanc de Blancs offers aromas of freshly cut green apples and citrus zest on the nose. There’s some richness to the palate, with notes of lemon shortbread cookies, framed by grippy acidity and lively bubbles.

Average price: $96
Rating: 91

Champagne Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV

Champagne lovers can’t go wrong with anything from Billecart-Salmon’s lineup, but this year the Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru bottling stood out with its nuanced profile. It’s brimming with notes of lemon zest, salted butter, and almonds with a distinct chalky minerality on the finish.

Average price: $99
Rating: 93

Champagne Jeeper XXI Silver Blanc de Blancs NV

Don’t be distracted by this wine’s over-the-top, metallic exterior. The liquid inside the bottle is the star here. This 100 percent Chardonnay opens with notes of white flowers, toasted nuts, and citrus on the nose. It’s aged for six years on the lees, which adds an opulent creamy texture to the palate. Its extravagant bottle design makes it a fun candidate to theatrically pop at a big celebration. (Plus, NBA legend Tony Parker is an investor in the brand, making this Champagne a great gift for basketball fans.)

Average price: $99
Rating: 92

Best Champagnes Under $200

Champagne Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs NV

This bright Blanc de Blancs opens with aromas of honeysuckle, vanilla, and freshly baked croissants. The palate has a cheesy, creamy texture contrasted by tart lemon and green apple. Its subtle flavors, saline minerality, and zippy acidity make it a great option for seafood pairings.

Average price: $120
Rating: 93

Champagne Palmer Grands Terroirs 2015

This cuvée is crafted as an expression of the estate’s Premier and Grand Cru vineyards across the Montagne de Reims, and is only made in the most exceptional vintages. The blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier comes together in a rich, fuller-bodied Champagne with notes of brioche, olive oil cake, vanilla, and preserved lemons.

Average price: $145
Rating: 93

Best Champagnes Over $200

Ruinart Blanc Singulier Edition 19 NV

Ruinart’s Blanc Singulier bottling is a relatively new addition to the historic Champagne house’s portfolio, created to reflect the vintage variation from year to year due to the increasingly extreme climatic conditions. This bottle is 100 percent Chardonnay, primarily from the 2019 vintage, though 23 percent is from reserves. The result is a complex wine with notes of cherries, yellow flowers, cooked peaches, and vanilla candies.

Average price: $220
Rating: 93

Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2015

While most wine drinkers are familiar with Veuve Cliquot’s iconic Yellow Label Champagne, those looking to level up should seek out the winery’s tête de cuvée: La Grande Dame. An ode to the Champagne house’s founder, Madame Cliquot, who championed the Pinot Noir grape, this wine is made with 90 percent Pinot Noir sourced from the estate’s historic crus. The wine offers concentrated flavors of brûléed pears and candied pineapple. And the lively bubbles and bright acidity help lift the sweet fruit flavors.

Average price: $320
Rating: 94

Champagne Louis Roederer Cristal 2016

From its unique bottle design — which has a fascinating history behind it — to its prominence in pop culture, nothing says luxury like a bottle of Cristal. The 2016 vintage is made with 58 percent Pinot Noir and 42 percent Chardonnay sourced from 32 sites. The wine is a great balance between rich notes of creamy cheese and lemon curd and fresh, vibrant acidity. Though this wine is definitely a splurge, it’s a great option for those looking to impress.

Average price: $349
Rating: 94

Best Rosé Champagnes

Barnaut Authentique Brut Rosé Grand Cru Champagne NV

This rich rosé is made with 90 percent Pinot Noir and 10 percent Chardonnay sourced from Barnaut’s parcels in Bouzy. Produced in the saignée method, the wine is a deep magenta color and offers concentrated fruit flavors. It’s delightfully aromatic on the nose with notes of rose candy, tomato leaf, and white peaches. The palate has hints of syrupy amarena cherries, without being sweet or cloying, and a flinty minerality.

Average price: $70
Rating: 94

Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial NV

For an easy-to-find and easy-drinking rosé Champagne, Moët & Chandon’s is a reliable crowd-pleaser. It’s bursting with juicy raspberry and strawberry with a refreshing acidity that makes it great for toasts or pairing with food.

Average price: $71
Rating: 91

Champagne Lallier Rosé NV

This rosé is made with 65 percent Pinot Noir and 35 percent Chardonnay — 7 percent of the blend being still red wine, which lends it its bright pink color and fruit-forward flavor profile. The palate pops with freshly cut strawberries, ripe cherries, and a chalky minerality.

Average price: $75
Rating: 90

Champagne Billecart-Salmon Elisabeth Salmon 2012

This special cuvée was first created in 1988 as a tribute to one of the house’s founders, Elisabeth Salmon. This rare wine is only made in the most exceptional years from only Grand and Premier Cru sites. The 2012 vintage is a blend of 55 percent Chardonnay and 45 percent Pinot Noir, aged on the lees for an extensive 115 months, which lends it a rich, creamy texture. The palate is deep and complex with pops of cranberries, cherry liqueur, and blood orange with a strong mineral backbone.

Average price: $230
Rating: 94

FAQs

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, or méthode champenoise, meaning it undergoes a secondary fermentation inside of the bottle and has strict aging regulations. Unlike still wine, Champagne is known for its bubbles!

Where does Champagne come from?

All Champagne must be produced in Champagne, France.

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