33 Best Champagne Brands: From Dom Perignon to Veuve Clicquot
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Champagne is considered by many as the most sophisticated carbonated drink, compared to other beverages like Prosecco and beer. One of the reasons it’s remarkable is that it's made only in the Champagne region in France using select Champagne grapes.
There are many brands of champagne, each with unique qualities. Some are more well-known than others, but all of them have something special to offer consumers.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best champagne brands and explain what makes them so impressive.
Without further ado, here are the 33 best bottles of champagne!
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall - Moet & Chandon• Biggest Champagne house |
Best Accessible Luxury - Veuve Clicquot• Famous for the classic Yellow Label |
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Best Exclusive - Dom Perignon• Prestige cuvée and vintage Champagnes |
1. Krug
The famous Champagne house of Krug, founded by Joseph Krug in 1843, is one of the most widely recognized names when it comes to Champagne. The original location for the business was Reims, but it has since expanded its reach to include many other areas across France.
Joseph Krug had a brilliant way of ensuring that conditional fluctuations wouldn't be as much of a disadvantage to maintaining the high quality of their annual release. So, he built an extensive collection of reserve wines for his blend.
To increase sustainable practices in the vineyard, Krug has been focusing on sustainability certification since 2014. Currently, 53% of their growers are certified, which is a massive transformation, thanks mainly to The House's 1ère Édition Collective that brought 20% more into this category.
Krug separates all its base wines according to vineyard plots to be individually tasted. Then they are blended into perfect harmony with vinified malolactic fermentation. This gives them rich complexity and a long-lasting flavor profile.
2. Perrier Jouët
The history of Maison Perrier-Jouët is one that has been beautifully preserved for posterity. Unlike many other houses in France, which produce large quantities, this Champagne brand produces only small flocks to maintain their high standards and pursue perfection since 1811!
One distinction of their bottles is their signature flowery designs. Whether it's a Rosé Champagne or not, you won't find the flowers missing. It's enough to get you excited to open their Champagne or make it a gift for Champagne lovers.
The vineyards of this brand are among the best in France for their biodiversity and ecological standards. They have been awarded HVE certification as they maintain high environmental conditions to protect nature and human life from pollution or other risks like toxic chemicals.
The iconic Perrier Jouët has always been known for its exquisite fine wines. However, it is not until you try the Belle Epoque do they become truly special in every way imaginable! This bottle showcases a front design of white anemones painted by Emile Galle, a brilliant French artist.
3. Salon
Salon is a small producer, but what makes their sparkling wine distinct is its singularity, in the sense of terroir, cru, grape variety, and year. All this success is the works of one man - Eugène-Aimé Salon.
Salon Champagne is from the Côte des Blancs in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and is associated with Jardin de Salon, where they grow and source their Chardonnay grapes from the same year.
Since Jardin de Salon is only 1 hectare, they also get grapes from 20 contract growers around the Le Mesnil area. Furthermore, Salon's cellars conserved bottles from nearly every vintage, dating back almost 100 years. This shows much respect this company has for its legacy.
Salon has been among the most successful Champagnes in terms of price performance over recent years. This can largely be attributed to how they smartly choose their vintage releases.
4. Bollinger
The importance given to details and laborious processes of Bollinger's wines sets them apart from other Champagne brands. It is the unique result of applying centuries-old traditions to modern viticulture and vinification techniques.
The history of Bollinger dates back to 1829, when a trio decided to engage in a wine partnership. The three persons behind the name Bollinger are Athanase Louis Emmanuel Hennequin (a count), Paul Levieux Renaudin (a winemaker), and Jacques Bollinger (a merchant).
Their produce needs come mainly from Grand Cru or Premier Cru areas which are about 405 acres and usually produce about two-thirds of the amount they need. To maintain their high standards for quality, Bollinger has established a charter that states at least 60% of production must be sourced from their vineyards.
Surprisingly, Bollinger is the only Champagne producer today that still has its cooperage. They have about 3,000 oak barrels in stock to use for the fermentation of their base wines that will soon be used for non-vintage and vintage wines.
5. Piper-Heidsieck
Piper-Heidsieck is one of the most famous Champagne houses with a range that includes both traditional and modern expressions. They were popular in France during Marie Antoinette's time and are served during the Academy Awards ceremony.
Piper-Heidsieck launched initially as “Heidsieck & Co” in Reims way back in 1785. They specialize in blends that lean on fruity flavors with freshness dominating its signature style coming from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes.
Their winemaking process is composed of separately vinifying the Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir by retaining each grape variety's signature characteristics. After these grapes are crushed, they're put into vats to separate and remove the pomace.
There's a thing you might not know about this iconic Champagne house that will blow your mind. The company owns no vineyards of its own! All the grapes they use in their amazing Cuvee blends come from over 60 different vineyards across Champagne.
6. Louis Roederer
For over 130 years, Louis Roederer has been crafting some of the world's finest Champagnes. It still remains a family-owned business up to this date, and it's actually one of the few Champagne houses left that are family-operated.
Louis Roederer is made popular, primarily because of their flagship cuvée, which is Cristal. The history of this Champagne goes back to 1876, when it was first crafted for Tsar Alexander II of Russia. The flavor profile of Cristal was specifically put together according to what Tsar Alexander II fancied.
The vineyards of Louis Roederer are spread across three main growing zones, which provide the company with about two-thirds of the full amount of grapes they need. This is a rare feat for most Champagne houses but speaks volumes about this producer's quality.
Louis Roederer's sparkling wines are known for their finesse and delicate qualities. They're characterized by a fine stream of bubbles with a burst of both freshness and fruitiness. This is a brand to choose when you're planning on joining a great virtual wine tasting.
7. Suenen
Suenen is a long-standing family winemaking business that dates back to the late 1800s when the original owners transferred to Cramant. At first, they weren't really interested in winemaking; however, they were grape suppliers. So, they gave winemaking a shot, and the rest is history.
Today, Aurélien Suenen is the one who manages Suenen, and he possesses five hectares worth of vineyards that are scattered on 17 parcels. Three hectares are spread in the Côte des Blancs, Cramant, Chouilly, and Oiry.
Aurélien Suenen doesn't strictly follow any set system but instead explores organic vineyard techniques partnered with biodynamic trials. This gives him more freedom to cultivate the land and assess how that affects grapes grown there. It's no wonder why his sparkling wines are one of the best organic Champagnes out there!
8. Pommery
This history of Pommery stretches back to 1858, when its name was still "Pommery & Greno." Its founders, Alexandre Louis Pommery and Narcisse Greno, originally made the brand to trade wool.
When Alexandre died in 1860, his wife, Madame Pommery, took over the business. She saw the Champagne industry was booming, and she took advantage of the demand, making their wool trade into the Champagne trade.
The grapes used to make Pommery's delicious Champagnes are picked from Grand Cru vineyards on both Côtes de Blancs and Montagne de Reims, totaling about 300 hectares. The Champagne house also worked hard to turn their vineyards sustainable.
When drinking Champagne from Pommery, expect a delicate, fresh, and smooth taste. The Cuvée Louise embodies all of this. Its grapes are sourced strictly from three Grand Cru vineyards, identified as Aÿ, Avize, and Cramant.
9. AR Lenoble
Ever since this Champagne house was founded, it has consistently worked its way to the top. Today, it is now part of the best Champagne brands in the world. AR Lenoble has even set a goal of 300,000 to 400,000 bottles to produce annually.
AR Lenoble's historic experience dates way back to 1920, and you can find this Champagne house in Chouilly, a known Grand Cru village. Fun fact: the brand AR Lenoble was actually one of the 20 best Champagne Blanc de Blancs producers listed by Robert Parker, a notable wine critic.
Lenoble is a company with an unbroken lineage of over 100 years with no investors or shareholders. This ensures that the business can maintain stability in their strategy, which helps them continue to grow as well!
10. Laurent-Perrier
The history of this Champagne house begins in 1812 with founder André Michel Pierlot. Pierlot passed ownership to his son, but when he died without a legacy, the ownership was passed on to their cellar master Eugène Laurent.
In 1887, Laurent met his untimely demise in a cellar accident. His widow, Mathilde Emilie Perrier, took over the Champagne house and officially changed its name to "Veuve Laurent-Perrier," merging their surnames.
Laurent-Perrier maintains their signature Champagne style, focusing on giving their blends freshness, finesse, and elegance. Also, they don't use oak for their aging process, but they use stainless steel tanks. Moreover, the house produces limited single-vintage wines.
Laurent-Perrier's most popular bottle is the Grand Siècle No. 24, which received a rating of 97 points from James Suckling, a well-established wine critic. When you serve Champagne on a special occasion, you can rely on this bottle.
11. Canard-Duchêne
The Canard-Duchêne Champagne house was founded in 1868 and has been producing Champagnes nothing short of extraordinary ever since. It's based in the Montage de Reims National Park area and has a good reputation for providing one of the best cheap Champagnes.
This French winery has been around 153 years, and over time, it has been recognized as one of the bestsellers. Plus, the Russian Imperial Family honored this house by adapting its crowned two-headed eagle coat of arms.
The rich, complex flavors of their emblematic grape variety Pinot Noir truly reflect what Canard-Duchêne has to offer. These grapes come from deep within Montagne de Reims’ rich soil, which has experienced restructuring for the past 70 million years.
The Canard-Duchêne distinctive character results from their Pinot Noir's ability to enhance the fruity flavors in their blends. It brings structure and depth—intense cherry and sour cherry hints towards blackberry or raspberry.
12. Lanson
The history behind Lanson is rich and extensive. With more than 260 years in the business, this premium Champagne has maintained its French roots and strong partnerships to give them a higher advantage in terms of grape access from 100 different crus to make their product even better!
Lanson Champagnes are non-malolactic and notable for their fresh, fruity, elegant, and crip characteristics. They've retained their traditional techniques since 1760 to produce their original taste. No wonder it's now enjoyed in 80 countries around the world!
Lanson's flagship Cuvee is their Black Label, and it often shines in blind tastings. It's likely due to the distinct sweet dosage in addition to the crispness characteristics. This is the result of their unusual technique of skipping malolactic fermentation.
Moreover, the Clos Lanson is a luxurious and exclusive release from Lanson and one of their most famous sparkling wine produced. It is crafted with base wines from grapes aged in oak and thrive on a nearby plot that's technically walled.
13. Gosset
With a history that dates back to 1584, Champagne Gosset is the oldest Champagne house in France. They have preserved elegance and style for four centuries while maintaining family traditions within their making process.
The grapes they use for Champagne are one of the factors why they can produce wines with such excellent quality. The majority of their grapes are acquired from the best Premier and Grand Cru vineyards located around the Côte des Blancs, Grand Vallée de la Marne, and Montagne de Reims areas.
Gosset is known for its attention to detail as they make use of all the characteristics the grapes and terroir feature, and they don't like to tone down unique flavors. They also don't follow malolactic fermentation as it interferes with their signature profile.
Gosset stays true to its authentic style, which is pure, precise, textured, and elegant in addition to having notable longevity. This concept remains unchanged over time.
14. Billecart Salmon
In 1818, a wine merchant named Nicolas François Billecart married a vineyard owner named Elizabeth Salmon. Together they birthed a company that now has over 200 years of tradition and produces 2 million bottles annually that are imported to 90 countries around the world.
The grapes used to make Billecart Salmon Champagnes come from 100 hectares of estate-grown land, as well as 300 hectares of carefully selected vineyards. This ensures that each bottle is bursting with flavor and character.
The Champagne grapes used for vinification are sourced from areas near Epernay, some of the best Champagne grape-growing terroirs in the world. Combine this with state-of-the-art winemaking techniques, and you have sparkling wines that are both classic and contemporary.
Their Brut Rosé is their most popular bottle and is one of the best Rosé Champagnes. Its past goes all the way back to about 200 years since the brand's inauguration.
15. Deutz
The house of Deutz has been around since 1838. The Aÿ-based Champagne house was founded by William Deutz and Pierre-Hubert Geldermann, who were both wine merchants. Deutz's original name was Deutz & Geldermann.
In 1983, after over a century of family ownership, the house was bought by Louis Roederer’s owners, which is the Rouzaud Family. They invested in restoration efforts, international expansion, and partnerships that allowed them to grow even more successful than before!
Deutz's highly-skilled winemakers consistently studied the art of blending until they've mastered it. This just shows how passionate and committed Deutz is to supply their audience with the best bottles of Champagne of today's time.
Deutz house features various types of Champagne, but they're well-known for their Deutz Rosé Vintage, Deutz Brut Vintage, and Deutz Blanc de Blancs. These have been the people's favorites ever since. Plus, their vintage Champagnes are rare since they don't release them annually.
16. Ruinart
The history of this Champagne house goes back to 1729 when Nicolas Ruinart first opened his doors, making it one of the oldest Champagne houses in the Champagne region! Currently, it is under the LVMH group.
If you hear someone mention "Chardonnay house," there's a chance that they mean Ruinart since Chardonnay is their flagship grape. It wasn't always this white grape variety until their formerly cellar master reevaluated their style and decided to focus on it.
Ruinart's signature style is said to set a perfect example of elegance, fullness, and generosity. Michael Edwards, the author of "The Finest Wines of Champagne." said it's because the Champagne house sources their grapes from the Montage de Reims, the Sézannais, and the Côte du Pertois.
Ruinart has built a glowing reputation, and they have no plans to stay stagnant in their success. They have eco-friendly innovation in mind, and a testament to this is their brilliant 'Second Skin' cases.
17. G.H. Mumm
Any G.H. Mumm Champagne is easy to recognize because of its red ribbon trademark displayed on the bottle. This Champagne house is located in Reims, but it was associated with Germany back then. They have a broad range of styles you can indulge in!
This Champagne house owns 538 acres of vineyards dedicated to prime grapes. 395 acres of their vineyards fall under the Grand Cru category, which ensures every bottle they produce is high quality and delicious!
G.H. Mumm is devoted to producing wines that are nothing short of excellent. They exert a lot of effort and patience into their craft, from the vineyard operations, winemaking, blending, and bottling.
Additionally, Mumm Champagnes are the true representation of structured, complex, and fresh wines. With their rich terroirs together with over 150 years of winemaking experience, it's not hard for this Champagne house to produce one of the best French Champagnes.
18. Nicolas Feuillatte
The young French champagne brand Nicolas Feuillatte seems to consistently secure a place on the best-selling Champagne on the world list. This success story started in 1976, and despite its youthfulness, it has managed to capture a worldwide audience with its delicious wines.
The variety of Champagnes available at this house is endless since they source their grapes at various prestigious vineyards, including Grande and Premier crus. They don't restrict themselves when blending, and they try multiple mixtures.
The finesse, precision, and elegance of Nicolas Feuillatte Champagnes result from the work put in by Chief Winemaker Guillaume Roffiaen and David Hénault. With approximately 10 million bottles produced every year, they are able to maintain this high standard for quality control.
19. Champagne Geoffroy
Champagne Geoffroy is a small Champagne house located in Aÿ, around the northeastern part of Épernay. The Geoffroy family has been cultivating their grapes on the skirts of Montagne de Reims since the 17th century.
Its ecologically friendly viticulture is a breath of fresh air in the world of agriculture. They don't really follow a strict and specific way of cultivating their produce. Plus, they're not necessarily organic or biodynamic.
The winery has been able to preserve the house's signature fruity flavors in every bottle, making them bursting with flavor together with brilliant concentration and long-lasting elegance. Their sparkling wine selections are also great for Champagne food pairing ideas!
20. Taittinger
Taittinger is one of the Champagne houses that still remains family-operated and family-owned. This Champagne brand has been operating since 1932, and they still manage to stay on top.
Taittinger owns 37 vineyards scattered across the best locations in Champagne. Their vineyards' cultivation comprises 37% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir, and 15% Pinot Meunier. Their vineyards are hailed as one of the best in the Champagne appellation, with characteristics captured in their wines.
The Taittinger Champagne house is famous for its Non-Vintage Brut Reserve as this bottle showcases fresh and delicate notes of fruit and bread. Aside from that, their Comtes de Champagne bottle has also won the "Best Champagne" title from the Fine Champagne Magazine back in 2012.
21. Pol Roger
Pol Roger's Champagnes are one way of making weddings feel like royalty, and there's a good reason for it! Pol Roger was granted a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II herself as the royal family's official Champagne supplier.
Sir Winston Churchill was also publicly a fan of Pol Roger Champagne, and the brand has created an honor-worthy cuvée in his name. The said cuvée features savory notes such as acacia honey, gingerbread cookies, roast almonds, and hazelnut liquor.
Pol Roger is among the few family-owned Champagne houses that remain, with 160 years worth of history. It's been passed down to five Pol Roger family generations now and can be found in Epernay.
With a production process that follows the traditional vinification methods while utilizing modern technology, Pol Roger ensures high-quality wines for every bottle. However, they follow three Champagne-making steps apart from the usual - manual remuage, final blending, and cellar.
22. Ayala
This Aÿ-based Champagne house was established over 150 years ago and is still considered today as one of the most iconic Houses in all France. Its location is surrounded by rich and thriving vineyards that produce fresh and elegant wines.
The Bollinger company has been the steward of this glorious estate since they repurchased it in 2005. With a keen eye for restoration and intention to bring out its former glory, Champagne Ayala faces new beginnings to continue the legacy it started so many years ago.
Champagne Ayala is a reputable brand that shines for its unparalleled authenticity. Their cuvées are indeed one-of-a-kind having the characteristics of elegance that come from their Chardonnay grapes and singularity, which reflects the locations it's crafted in.
23. Mod Sélection
Mod Selection's success today is the result of five generations worth of tradition and expertise. It was launched all the way back in 1892, and it hails from an area that is exclusively known as Vallee de la Marne.
Control is everything when selecting the best grapes for each bottle of Mod Selection. The precise process at harvest will ensure their strict selection, delicate extraction, and meticulous settling stage to maintain the brand's trademark.
They're also known for their intricately designed bottles that reflect their heritage and legacy. One of their best bottles is the Reserve, which is packed with refreshing and lively white fruit aromas.
24. Moet & Chandon - Best Overall
Over centuries, Moët & Chandon has built up an unmatched legacy in winemaking techniques and creativity. When Claude Moët founded his company, he led an innovative spirit with unparalleled expertise, which still continues today through generations.
In 1987, what's known as the LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) conglomerate bought the Moet & Chandon brand. It owns and manages 1,550 hectares of vineyards in the Champagne region and release about 38 million Champagnes from Moet, Dom Perignon, and Mercier.
Moet & Chandon has been consistent with how they make their Champagnes, with importance for accuracy and care. Their signature style has always leaned on fruity flavors, achieved by using the three grapes varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and a bit of Chardonnay.
Recently, Moët & Chandon has broken the rules with their newest revolutionary Champagne, which they call the Moet Ice Impérial. You don't need to freeze the Champagne, but it's specially crafted to be enjoyed with ice cubes and consumed from big glasses to showcase its subtleties.
25. Le Chemin Du Roi
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is famously known for being an award-winning musician and actor who has made his fortune in the entertainment industry. He decided to venture into winemaking. He now owns the Le Chemine Du Roi brand, produced by Champagne Castelnau.
Le Chemin Du Roi can be directly translated to "The King's Path." Its signature emblem is a King chess piece that can be seen in every bottle of this brand. There are three available expressions in their range for now: Brut, Rosé, and Blanc de Blancs.
Champagne Castelnau is committed to producing exceptional wines that are original representations of their region. Their vineyards span over 900 hectares scattered among 155 crus, and they're devoted exclusively towards growing quality grapes.
26. Charles Heidsieck
Charles Heidsieck is an award-winning brand that many wine experts have recognized as being among the best in its category. In fact, it has already won not less than 20 awards from various competitions since 2012.
But the brand isn't the only one winning awards; their cellar masters are too! They've won the title of "Sparkling Winemaker of the Year" multiple times.
Charles Heidsieck may be a small house, but it's definitely one of the most respected producers of Champagne in the world. It produces some of the region's best wines, known for their finesse, elegance, and depth of flavor.
Champagnes from Charles Heidsieck is an assemblage of 60 different crus from the Champagne region, each contributing its own unique flavor profile. They use Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay from Grand Crus in Oger, Ambonnay, and Verneuil, respectively, to distinguish their Brut Reserve.
27. Paul Bara
The Bara property is a historic site that dates back to the 1860s. In its early days, it stood as a farm that had stables and cowsheds as well sheep pens for livestock on one side of it, and there was also space for a cellar. It wasn't until 1965 that it was entirely made into a winery and a press room.
The Paul Bara house has been exporting its wines to the US since 1975. They are one of only a few Champagne brands that still work with an old importer back in those days, and they continue this successful partnership today!
The Paul Bara estate vineyards are located in the village of Bouzy, in the heart of the Grande Champagne region of France. Their 11-hectare vineyard is certified HVE3, and they mostly plant Pinot Noir.
At Paul Bara, they take an unusual approach to their rosé wines. Their unconventional rosé wine features a unique blend of direct press juice, saignée juice from Pinot Noir grapes, and still Pinot Noir. This innovative technique results in a refreshing, elegant pink wine.
28. Veuve Clicquot - Best Accessible Luxury
The Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne house was founded by Phillippe Clicquot-Muiron in 1772 and is situated in Reims, Champagne. Pinot Noir is the star grape, with some of the winery’s vintage offerings having 90% Pinot Noir in the blend.
The House produces a range of vintage and non-vintage Champagnes–the most famous being the Yellow Label non-vintage wines. The La Grande Dame, Extra Brut Extra Old, and the vintage Yellow Label wines are also considered to be on par with top French bubblies like Moet & Chandon.
Veuve Clicquot owns 390 hectares of superb vineyards divided into 12 Grand Crus and 20 Premier Crus. They are planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir grape varieties.
The chalky soils maintain the perfect balance of heat and moisture - the secret behind Clicquot’s rich Yellow Label Brut Champagne and other bottles. The cool climate and moderate rainfall in these superb vineyards bring a unique freshness to the grape and the Yellow Label wine.
29. Duval-Leroy
Duval-Leroy is a historic Champagne producer that has been in operation since 1859. It is located just around the center of “La Cote des Blancs," specifically in Vertus.
The House's 200-hectare vineyards produce some of the world’s finest Chardonnay grapes. Since their cuvees are made mostly with Chardonnay grapes, this results in Champagne bottles that boast elegance and lightness.
Up to this day, the company is still run by Carol Duval-Leroy, who has been at the helm since 1991. Duval-Leroy can be considered rare in terms of ownership as it remains one of the few Champagne houses that are family-owned and operated.
Duval Leroy is also an advocate for sustainable farming and has achieved certifications to help maintain their desire for a greener future. Their company uses viticulture with high environmental value, making them considered as pioneers in this field!
30. Armand de Brignac
When a bottle displays a flashy "Ace of Spades" signature logo on the front, you'll know it is from Armand de Brignac. Their bottles are also metallic and opaque, making them more eye-catching.
Jay Z and Moët Hennessy currently own it, and Champagne Cattier is responsible for production. Their Brut Gold is the benchmark of all their Champagne. Not only is it their flagship style and first release, but it is also recognized as one of the best expensive Champagnes.
Their Brut Gold offers refreshing notes of cherries, more exotic fruits, lemons, and hints of honey and vanilla on the palate. It is available in many bottle sizes that can reach up to 30 liters. If you get a big one, make sure to know how to store Champagne and how long it lasts.
The grapes for Armand de Brignac are strictly hand-picked from their vines. They also follow a separate vinification and aging process, so the original flavors from the terroirs are retained.
31. Boizel
With a history spanning more than 185 years, Boizel is, without question, one of today's most successful Champagne brands. It was founded in Epernay by a family with a deep love for wines. The original owners' winemaking knowledge has been passed down to newer generations.
Boizel's Champagnes are made with only the best grapes, grown in France’s most prestigious vineyards. They get their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from famous Grand and Premier Crus. Furthermore, they blend this with Pinot Meunier, which they get from the best crus.
Boizel’s chalk cellars provide a natural and holistic aging environment for their wines. They use only the first pressing, preserving its original flavor while maintaining low dosage levels so you can drink Champagne as it was meant to be enjoyed.
Boizel is a company that ensures its customers enjoy the perfect taste of wine at an appropriate time. That's why they always include disgorgement dates on the label.
32. Philipponnat
The history of this famous house began in 1522 when Apvril le Philipponnat launched his winemaking venture. This house was launched earlier than its competitors today, Krug and Laurent-Perrier, who were both established in the 1800s, yet these three have been rivals for centuries.
The ideals of Champagne Philipponnat have always been ahead in innovation. They were the first Champagne house to uniquely display the main vintage, dosage, and disgorgement dates on their Champagne label.
Philipponnat sources their fine grapes from their own vineyards, Les Cintres, Clos des Goisses, Le Léon, and La Remissonne. These vineyards are spread around the Mareuil-Sur-Ay commune and the Grand Cru village of Ay.
33. Dom Perignon - Best Exclusive
Dom Pérignon is made by Moët & Chandon, but it's usually considered a separate brand because it is exclusive for vintage Champagnes. Dom Pierre Pérignon, a Benedictine monk, is the eponymous inspiration behind this prestige cuvée.
Dom Pérignon Champagnes are described as uniquely distinctive. With an average of only six vintages every decade, Dom Pérignon is one of the most exclusive Champagnes available.
The unique taste of Dom Perignon is a result of blending Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Each bottle boasts exceptional flavors; however, Serena Sutcliffe, Master of Wine, has always said when Dom Pérignon is aged, it takes on a toasty and coffee smell.
Not all sparkling wines get high remarks, but Dom Pérignon always gets compliments and high scores from various critics. Robert Parker and Wine Spectator granted their final release, the 2008 Dom Perignon Vintage, a 95+ rating. They said it was their most refined bottle since they released their 1996 vintage Champagne.
Conclusion
The best Champagne brands have been around for decades, and they continue to make the most amazing sparkling wines to this day.
Choosing only one bottle is impossible for Champagne lovers because each one tells a different and exciting history and shows different flavor profiles worth trying.
Which brand is your go-to? Do you want to explore other brands? We'll be glad to hear your comments in the comments below.
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