Champagne is one of the most iconic drinks for parties, celebrations, the holidays, and of course ringing in the new year. It all started in 1789 where the expensive drink was viewed as a status symbol for celebrations in the royal courts. Besides being delicious on its own, champagne and sparkling wine are incredibly versatile as well; as a mimosa or bellini for Sunday brunch, part of a summer spritz (my personal favorite) or as a cocktail topper. Here are the best champagnes and sparkling wines for any budget!
I wanted to share a handful of my favorite champagnes, proseccos and sparkling wines that are always go-to’s for me and my family. There’s something for everyone with options within all price points that won’t break the bank. There are some amazing hidden gems under $20 and of course few that you may want to splurge on for an extra special celebration. Please note, depending on where you are and where you purchase, prices may slightly vary!
Get ready to pop the bubbles and enjoy!
Under $20
1. LA VOSTRA – $10.99
Completely immerse yourself in the irresistible flavors of apple, white peach and fragrant honeysuckle. These incredible bubbles appeal to even the most selective sparkling enthusiast. I love using La Vostra for my Aperol Spritz’s! If you cannot find La Vostra, La Marca is another great option!
2. KORBEL SWEET CUVEE – $10.99
An incredibly delicate fruit forward bubbly with a good structure to help balance out the sweet finish. Refreshing citrus, tropical and floral flavors. If you don’t like anything dry and prefer something slightly on the sweeter side, I’d HIGHLY recommend trying this.
3. SOFIA BLANC DE BLANCS – $14.99
Super refreshing and fruity, this is a rare blend of Pinot Blanc, Muscat, and Riesling (YUMMM). It has mellow flavors of apples and pears then topped by a hint of citrus and honeysuckle. This is such a fun sparkling wine to bring to parties with it’s gorgeous pink wrapping! Nolan and I are obsessed with Sofia our our St. Germain spritz’s and the perfect pairing for a mimosa.
4. MUMM NAPA BRUT PRESTIGE – $15.97
This sparkling wine features fine bright citrus, red apple, stone fruit and creamy vanilla aromas, with hints of toast, honey and gingerbread spice. Its vibrant flavors are balanced by fine acidity and a rich, lingering finish. I mean for $16 a bottle, you can’t go wrong with this bottle from Napa!
5. CHANDON BRUT SPARKLING WINE – $16.97
Crisp and fresh, these bubbles will quickly come your go-to choice for entertaining, sipping and gifting. With flavors of signature green apple, pear and citrus notes, leave a dry yet soft finish. I’m a big fan of Chandon working within LVMH and this is one of my absolute favorites at an affordable price!
Under $50
1. ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT – $25.99
This was the first California sparkling wine produced by Champagne Louis Roederer which builds upon a 200-year tradition of fine winemaking that has made Roederer champagne among the most sought-after in the world. Their winemaking style is based on two elements: ownership of its own vineyards and the addition of oak-aged reserve wines to each year’s blend. Incredibly refreshing and a classic fan favorite!
2. J VINEYARDS CUVEE 20 BRUT – $31.99
J is always a go-to for our family parties! It opens with nuanced aromas of green apple, tangerine and almond. A dance of bubbles leads to a focused palate that delicately balances sweet and tart notes of raspberry, wild strawberry and lemon rind then whisked away by a crisp finish.
3. CHANDON ETOILE BRUT – $34.99
This was the sparkling that made Nolan & I fall in love with Chandon wines. Featuring the best lots of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier, followed by extended aging, this opulent cuvée is distinctive for its tiny bubbles and elegant layers of aromas. If you really want to impress someone with a nice bottle, this one is not only gorgeous but tastes delicious!
4. SCHRAMSBERG BLANC DE NOIRS – $36.99
Finally sharing a blanc de noirs, made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes and has a little more body and fruitiness compared to a blanc de blanc. This blanc de noir has a juicy first sip that generously coats the mid-palate with orange and vanilla spice, followed by crisp and tart flavors of raspberry, grapefruit and lemongrass. It’s lively and balanced that gives way to a clean, fresh and mouthwatering floral and mandarin orange finish. If you want something with a little more body for a sparkling, this is the bottle for you!
Under $100
1. BILLECART SALMON EXTRA BRUT – $59.99
Anything that says ‘extra’ you’ve can pretty much assume it will be a VERY dry champagne. I’m normally not one for anything incredibly dry since I do like more fullness and fruity body to my bubbles but I have to admit, this is one of the only extra dry champagnes that I love to drink. It’s dry but it also has this richness of fruit that tastes ripe and rounded, allowing the citrus bite to fit well with the apple skin flavor.
2. VEUVE CLICQUOT BRUT ROSE CHAMPAGNE – $69.97
You’ve probably all seen the iconic yellow label but I actually love Veuve’s Rose much more than their classic Brut. This creamy Rose shows fine balance, along with vibrant acidity that provides a juicy frame for the ripe strawberry, ground ginger and white peach flavors. So so yummy, this is also supposedly what Ariana Grande loves drinking!
3. BILLECART SALMON BRUT ROSE – $84.99
Another Billiecart Salmon that made my list. THIS is such a yummy brut rose. The freshness and clarity in the wine is top notch. It has a gorgeous light pink color and an incredibly crisp acidity that helps balance out the fruitiness. It’s full-bodied and dense yet agile with amazing length and beauty. Nolan & I also love this one for special occasions when you don’t want to spend anything over $100!
Over $100
1. DOM PERIGNON 2008 – $159.97
I don’t think I need to explain much for this bottle. If you’ve ever had Dom Perignon, you know how DELICIOUS this tastes. The notes are spot on; robust flavors of green apple with other notes of peach, orange and a little musky smoke. Yes, this bottle has a high price tag but so worth it for a very special occasion or celebrating with someone special.
