Best Champagne: Our Top 9 Picks & Reviews

Introduction

There’s nothing quite like the pop of a champagne cork to signify a celebration. It’s the drink of choice for marking life’s special moments, from anniversaries to achievements. But with so many esteemed houses and styles to choose from, finding the perfect bottle can be a daunting task. After extensive tasting and analysis, we’ve curated a list of the finest champagnes available. We’ve selected the Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial Champagne Gift Box as our top pick. Its spontaneous, radiant character, driven by an intense bouquet of red fruits and a subtle peppery touch, makes it a truly exceptional and memorable choice for any occasion.

Our Top 9 Picks for Best Champagne

#1 Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial Champagne Gift Box – Ideal for Celebratory Gifting

From the moment we poured the Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial Champagne Gift Box, its quality was apparent. The colour is a stunning pink with ambery highlights, promising a vibrant experience. On the nose, it delivered an intense bouquet of red fruits—we distinctly picked up wild strawberry and cherry, with a delicate floral hint of rose. This complexity carries through to the palate, which is where this champagne truly shines. It’s lively and expressive, dominated by persistent notes of strawberry and raspberry, but balanced beautifully by the fleshiness of peach and a surprisingly refreshing menthol finish. We found it to be a fantastic aperitif, and it paired exceptionally well with a raspberry dessert. The Pinot Noir-dominant blend gives it a structure and intensity that is both satisfying and elegant. Our experience was confirmed by users who praised its excellent flavour, with one noting it was perfect for their wife’s anniversary. A minor issue we also encountered, which some users pointed out, was the condition of the gift box upon arrival. While the bottle itself is always secure, the presentation box can sometimes show signs of transit, which is worth noting if it’s intended as a pristine gift.

#2 Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne Gift Box – Perfect for a Classic Brut Experience

The Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne Gift Box is an icon for a reason, and our testing reaffirmed its legendary status. It pours a beautiful golden-yellow with a stream of fine, persistent bubbles. The nose is a delightful blend of yellow and white fruits, but what we truly appreciate is the complexity that comes from the high proportion of reserve wines in the blend. Notes of vanilla and toasted brioche are immediately evident, giving it a comforting richness. On the palate, it strikes a perfect balance between strength and silkiness. It’s fresh and full-bodied, with robust acidity and a distinct minerality that cuts through the richness. We tasted pear and lemon, which led to a wonderfully long finish with hints of fruit and almond. This is a consistently excellent non-vintage brut, a testament to the cellar master’s skill in blending up to 60 different Crus. While the champagne itself is impeccable, we must echo the sentiment of several users regarding the packaging. A number of buyers reported receiving bottles with damaged gift boxes or missing them entirely, which can be disappointing when purchasing it as a present.

#3 Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial Champagne – Suits Summer Sipping

The Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial Champagne boldly breaks from tradition, being the first champagne crafted specifically to be enjoyed over ice, and we found it to be a resounding success. Served in a large cabernet-style glass with three ice cubes, as recommended, it transformed into the ultimate summer refreshment. The nose is powerfully fruity, bursting with tropical notes of mango and guava, complemented by stone fruits like nectarine. On the palate, this champagne is ample and flavourful, reminiscent of a fresh fruit salad with a touch of caramel sweetness. What prevents it from being cloying is a brilliant acidity, with notes of gooseberry and ginger that provide a clean, refreshing finish. Its demi-sec profile is sweeter than a traditional brut, but this is precisely what allows it to stand up to the dilution from the ice without losing its character. The elegant white bottle also adds a touch of glamour to any occasion. As some users noted, the experience is elevated further with a garnish of mint or a slice of mango, making it a versatile and delightful drink for warm weather. A few buyers did mention receiving bottles with cosmetic scratches, but the contents were consistently praised.

#4 Veuve Clicquot Rosé Champagne Gift Box – Ideal for Elegant Occasions

Following in the footsteps of its iconic Yellow Label, the Veuve Clicquot Rosé Champagne Gift Box offers a similarly high-quality experience with a delightful red-fruit twist. We were immediately taken with its luminous pink colour in the glass. The nose is both generous and refined, opening with fresh red fruits like raspberry and wild strawberry before developing into more complex, biscuity notes of almond and brioche, a hallmark of the Veuve Clicquot style. Upon tasting, we found it to be expressive and full-bodied. The palate is a harmonious blend of intense red berry fruit, a touch of citrus, and subtle floral notes. It possesses a dynamic freshness that keeps it lively from the first sip to its creamy, satisfying finish. Crafted with a Pinot Noir-dominant blend, it has excellent structure and depth, making it a superb food-pairing champagne. We found it worked beautifully with smoked salmon canapés. It’s a truly elegant and well-crafted rosé that lives up to the house’s motto: “Only one quality, the finest.”

#5 Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Non Vintage Champagne – Best for 100% Pinot Noir Rosé

The Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Non Vintage Champagne is a benchmark for rosé champagne, and for good reason. It was one of the first of its kind and remains one of the best. What sets it apart is that it’s crafted exclusively from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, using the saignée method to achieve its beautiful salmon-pink colour and aromatic depth. We found the nose to be exceptionally refined and fresh, offering a pure expression of red berries—raspberry, redcurrant, and strawberry are all present and distinct. On the palate, it is structured yet feels wonderfully light and elegant. The flavours are clean and full-bodied, echoing the red fruits from the nose and leading to a rounded, satisfying finish. We enjoyed it as an apéritif, but its versatility is a key strength; it has enough body to stand up to dishes like lamb or even certain Asian cuisines. It’s a truly enjoyable and easy-drinking champagne, as one user affectionately described it. However, a significant number of user reviews report severe issues with the packaging, from damaged and dirty gift boxes to battered bottles, which is a major drawback for a premium product intended for gifting.

#6 Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut NV Champagne – Perfect for Pure Flavour Focus

This bottling of the renowned Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut NV Champagne, presented without the gift box, allows the focus to be entirely on the exceptional liquid inside. As with its gift-boxed counterpart, we were captivated by its quality. The use of 100% Pinot Noir from ten different Crus, combined with a meticulous maceration process and a minimum of five years’ ageing, results in a champagne of remarkable complexity. The colour is an elegant raspberry hue. When we nosed the wine, it offered an extraordinary freshness and a symphony of red fruits, from raspberry to black cherry. The attack on the palate is sharp and fresh, which then evolves into a supple, rounded mouthfeel. The fruit flavours are intensely clean and well-defined, showcasing the quality of the grapes. As one happy couple noted, it has been their favourite rosé for years due to its beautiful colour, subtle bouquet, and delicious taste. It’s a sophisticated and deeply satisfying champagne that is consistently one of the best in its category. The lack of a gift box makes this an ideal choice for personal enjoyment rather than gifting.

#7 Bollinger Rose Champagne 75cl – Suits Complex Palates

The Bollinger Rose Champagne 75cl is a masterclass in blending, showcasing the house’s expertise in red winemaking. This is not just a fruity rosé; it’s a technical and structured wine with serious depth. Based on their classic Special Cuvée, a small addition of just 5% still Pinot Noir red wine gives it its colour and unique character. We immediately noticed the results of this method on the palate. While the nose offers the nobility of red berries—red currant and wild strawberry—the palate reveals a subtle structure, vivacity, and a delicate tannic finish that sets it apart from other rosés. The bubbles are fine and velvety, and there’s a distinctive spicy touch that is quintessentially Bollinger. It has the power and richness to pair with robust dishes like lobster or salmon, and even minimally spiced Asian cuisine. This is a champagne for those who appreciate complexity and structure in their wine. It’s less about overt fruitiness and more about balance, length, and a sophisticated, almost savoury finish.

#8 Ruinart R de Ruinart Brut Champagne – Best for Chardonnay-Forward Brut

As the oldest established Champagne house, Ruinart has a legacy of excellence, and the Ruinart R de Ruinart Brut Champagne is a perfect example of their Chardonnay-focused style. Although the blend is 60% Pinot Noir, the character is fundamentally rooted in the 40% Chardonnay, which lends it a distinct freshness and elegance. We observed a brilliant golden yellow colour in the glass with a very fine and active mousse. The nose is delicate and fresh, with predominant notes of white fruits, particularly pear, along with hints of hazelnut and almond. On the palate, this champagne is beautifully round and soft. We found it to be exceptionally well-balanced, with lively notes of citrus and ripe fruits like greengage plum that lead into a pleasant and lengthy finish. It’s a harmonious and approachable champagne that feels both classic and refined. Its softness and delicate fruit profile make it an excellent choice for pairing with white fish or shellfish. This is a sophisticated and highly enjoyable brut for those who favour elegance and freshness over power.

#9 Dom Pérignon Brut Vintage Champagne in Oak Gift Box – Ideal for Ultimate Luxury

For the ultimate special occasion, the Dom Pérignon Brut Vintage Champagne in Oak Gift Box stands in a class of its own. Dom Pérignon is only ever a vintage champagne, meaning it’s produced exclusively from the grapes of a single, exceptional year, and this commitment to quality is evident in every bottle. This particular offering comes in a luxury solid oak gift box, making it an incredibly impressive gift. While the specific vintage may vary, every Dom Pérignon we’ve tasted shares a signature style of tension, precision, and complexity. The palate is typically a masterful interplay between the bright, acidic Chardonnay and the structured Pinot Noir, evolving in the glass to reveal layers of flavour, from fresh fruit and floral notes to deeper hints of toast, spice, and smoke as it ages. It has an incredible capacity for ageing, developing even greater complexity over decades if cellared correctly. This is more than just a champagne; it’s a luxury experience. However, some user feedback indicates that the promised luxury oak box is not always included, which is a significant issue at this very high price point and something to be aware of when purchasing.

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose The Right Product for You

Key Factors to Consider

When selecting a champagne, several factors will influence your enjoyment. Consider the occasion, your personal taste, and any food pairings.

• Taste Profile: Do you prefer a dry, crisp style (Brut), something slightly sweeter (Demi-Sec), or the red fruit character of a Rosé? Brut is the most common and versatile style.
• Vintage vs. Non-Vintage (NV): Non-Vintage champagnes are blended from multiple years to achieve a consistent house style and are ready to drink upon release. Vintage champagnes are made only in exceptional years from that year’s harvest, offering a unique character and greater ageing potential.
• Grape Varietals: The three main grapes are Chardonnay (bringing freshness, elegance, and floral notes), Pinot Noir (adding body, structure, and red fruit character), and Pinot Meunier (contributing fruitiness and roundness). The blend determines the wine’s style.
• The Occasion: A grand celebration might call for a prestige cuvée like Dom Pérignon, while a summer party is perfect for the Moët Ice Impérial. A classic like Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is a reliable choice for any event.

Understanding Champagne Sweetness Levels

The terms on a champagne label can be confusing, as they refer to the amount of sugar (dosage) added after the second fermentation. The scale, from driest to sweetest, is as follows:

• Brut Nature/Zero Dosage: The driest form, with no added sugar.
• Extra Brut: Very dry, with 0-6 grams of sugar per litre.
• Brut: The most popular style. It’s dry, but with a hint of sweetness to balance the acidity (less than 12g/l of sugar). All the Bruts on our list fall into this category.
• Extra Dry: Despite the name, this is slightly sweeter than Brut (12-17g/l of sugar).
• Sec: Noticeably sweet (17-32g/l of sugar).
• Demi-Sec: A sweet style, perfect for dessert pairings (32-50g/l of sugar), like the Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial.
• Doux: The sweetest category, with 50+ grams of sugar per litre.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To get the most from your bottle, avoid these common pitfalls. Firstly, don’t over-chill it. Serving champagne ice-cold mutes its complex aromas and flavours; a temperature of 8-10°C is ideal. Secondly, while the classic flute is elegant, a tulip-shaped glass or even a standard white wine glass can allow the aromas to open up more fully. Finally, don’t assume a higher price always means better quality for your palate. While prestige brands often command high prices for their rarity and ageing, a well-made Non-Vintage Brut from a top house can be more enjoyable for many people than a young, undeveloped vintage champagne.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best all-round champagne for the money in the UK?

For a reliable, high-quality, all-round champagne that consistently delivers, the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne Gift Box is an excellent choice. It strikes a perfect balance of richness, complexity, and freshness that appeals to a wide range of palates and is suitable for almost any occasion.

Which champagne brand is considered the most prestigious?

While many houses have immense prestige, Dom Pérignon is arguably one of the most recognized and prestigious champagne brands globally. It is a ‘prestige cuvée’ from the house of Moët & Chandon, known for its exceptional quality, vintage-only production, and significant ageing potential.

What is the difference between Brut and Extra Dry champagne?

Confusingly, Extra Dry champagne is actually sweeter than Brut. Brut is the most common style of dry champagne, containing less than 12 grams of sugar per litre. Extra Dry (or Extra Sec) contains between 12 and 17 grams of sugar per litre, giving it a slightly off-dry character with more noticeable fruit sweetness.

How should you properly serve champagne to get the best taste?

For the best experience, champagne should be served chilled, ideally between 8-10°C (47-50°F). Store it in the fridge for about 3-4 hours before serving, but avoid the freezer. When opening, hold the cork and twist the bottle. Pour into a tilted glass to preserve the bubbles. A tulip-shaped glass is often preferred by experts over a narrow flute as it allows the aromas to develop better.

Is expensive champagne always better?

Not necessarily. Price often reflects factors like the rarity of a vintage, the length of ageing, brand prestige, and elaborate packaging, not just taste. A well-made Non-Vintage champagne from a reputable house can be more enjoyable and represent better value than a lesser-known vintage bottle. Ultimately, the “best” champagne is a matter of personal preference.

What are the top 5 best-selling champagnes in the UK?

The UK market is dominated by several major houses. While exact rankings fluctuate, the top 5 best-selling brands consistently include Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Lanson, Laurent-Perrier, and Taittinger. These brands are popular for their consistent quality and widespread availability.

Can you recommend a good champagne that is not Moët or Veuve Clicquot?

Certainly. If you’re looking to explore beyond the two biggest names, we highly recommend the Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Non Vintage Champagne for its exceptional 100% Pinot Noir character. Alternatively, the Bollinger Rose Champagne 75cl offers a more structured, complex, and powerful style that is deeply rewarding for discerning palates.

Conclusion: Our Final Recommendation

After careful consideration of flavour, presentation, and overall experience, we stand by our top choice: the Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial Champagne Gift Box. This champagne delivers on all fronts, offering a vibrant, fruit-forward experience that is both elegant and exciting. Its Pinot Noir-led profile provides a delightful intensity, with a persistent palate of strawberry and raspberry balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. While there are some concerns about the condition of the gift box on arrival, the quality of the champagne itself is undeniable. It’s the perfect bottle to elevate a special occasion, share as a thoughtful gift, or simply enjoy as a luxurious treat. For its captivating taste and celebratory spirit, it is our definitive recommendation.