I admit it. I’m a Champagne snob.
Prosecco? Most of the stuff we’re served in the UK is packed with chemicals and tastes nothing like the Prosecco from the northeastern regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia in Italy – look for bottles marked Prosecco DOC (general area) and Prosecco DOCG (more specific hillside areas).
Cava? The sparkling wine from Catalonia in Spain that’s made using the Traditional Method like Champagne isn’t too shabby at all, but I still like mine with a splash of Crème de Cassis to turn it into a Kir Royale.
And Crémant? The French fizz is made using the Traditional Method, too, but outside of the Champagne appellation, so you can pick up a bottle for much less than its pricier cousin and still enjoy those rich, biscuity flavours.
But Champagne, oh how I love thee. Nothing says ‘celebration’ quite like digging out an ice-cold bottle from the fridge, popping that cork — arguably, my favourite sound in the world — and pouring that golden liquid into a crystal-cut flute (some people say it needs to be in wine glass, which is probably technically true, but I stand firm).
But what exactly is Champagne and the Traditional Method it’s made to? “Champagne is the celebration wine, but by technical definition, it’s a sparkling wine from the Champagne region in France,” explains Sera Karamshuk, DipWSET educator at WSET School London, the flagship provider of WSET (wine and spirit) qualifications.
“If the grapes aren’t grown there, and if they’re not one of the few permitted varieties, it simply can’t be called Champagne. What many forget is that every Champagne begins life as a still-base wine. Only after bottling does it undergo a second fermentation inside the bottle, and that’s what gives it those signature bubbles.”
Karamshuk continues: “By law, non-vintage Champagne must spend at least 15 months ageing in the bottle (of which at least 12 months are on the lees), while vintage Champagne requires a minimum of three years cellaring before it’s ready to hit the market. That’s what gives it those toasty, pastry-like notes that you simply don’t get from bubbly made by quicker methods.”
How to choose the best Champagne
“The two main things to consider are style and sweetness,” Karamshuk tells me. “Sweetness in Champagne is indicated by terms like Brut, Extra Brut, Brut Nature, Demi-Sec and so on. They tell you how much sugar was added after ageing to balance the wine. If you prefer a super-fresh style, go for Brut, Extra Brut or Brut Nature (the driest).
Next, always check the label; many houses now add QR codes that lead you straight to detailed pages with vineyard info, ageing time, grape varieties and even tasting notes. Look out for terms like ‘aged on the lees’, ‘laid in’ or ‘disgorged in’, as these tell you how long the wine has been maturing in the bottle. The longer the ageing, the more you get those gorgeous flavours of brioche, dough or pastry.
Finally, think about the grapes. Blanc de Blancs tells you it’s Chardonnay-only. If you’re into ripe apples, pears, lemon curd or even the more tropical fruits like melon and pineapple, all wrapped in those brioche or almond-croissant notes, this one is for you. On the other hand, Blanc de Noirs is made from black grape varieties Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier. Choose this one if you prefer yellow fruit or with hints of forest berries, red apple and subtle earthiness. Alternatively, rosé Champagne is your go-to if you want wild strawberries, raspberries and pomegranate.
And finally, dig a little into house styles. This is where you can really tailor your choice. Some Champagne houses are all about pure fruit, freshness and clarity, while others lean into more nutty, honeyed expressions.”
The expert also notes the shift in how Champagne is served, going from an apéritif to a “full-meal wine”. Karamshuk lays out her Champagne menu: “A glass to welcome your guests, a Blanc de Blancs with starters, a structured Blanc de Noirs with the main course and maybe a Demi-Sec with dessert… Champagne can genuinely stay with you from the first ‘cheers’ to the very last bite, especially around Christmas.”
And beyond into 2026, presumably. Whether you plan to serve yours all night or go big on the midnight moment, here are the bottles to pop this New Year’s Eve.
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Sainsbury’s Blanc de Noirs Champagne, Taste the Difference
Increasingly so, supermarket Champagne is comparable to some of the top-shelf stuff and offers plenty of bang for your buck.
A spectacular case in point is this reasonably-priced number from the Taste the Difference range at Sainsbury’s. Made purely from black grapes – Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, hence its name – it’s fresh and fruity with delicate hints of toasty biscuit.
Rich but balanced, this is a brilliant buy.
Buy now £26.00, Sainsbury’s
Pommery Brut Royal Champagne
Fresh and lively, Pommery Brut Royal Champagne is a real crowd-pleaser for festive celebrations with notes of apple, ripe citrus and just a touch of brioche, vanilla and almond. It’s pale yellow in colour and offers a lighter, cleaner alternative to some of the heavier, more intense Champagnes on the market.
I love the box – it’s all dressed up as a seasonal gift.
Buy now £45.00, Sainsbury's
Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne
Priced at just £26, Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne came out on top in Which?’s blind tastings for the second year, earning an impressive overall score of 84 per cent. The sparkling is produced by Union Champagne – a group of almost 2,000 growers across the Champagne region with about 90 per cent of its grapes sourced from prestigious Grand or Premier Cru sites. A decadent Champagne with lovely truffle notes and elegant, long-lasting bubbles. I suggest you stock up before it’s sold out.
Buy now £26.00, Tesco
M&S Champagne Delacourt Brut Magnum
Having just overtaken Laurent Perrier to become the eighth biggest Champagne brand in the whole of the UK, Delacourt is having a serious moment.
The signature brand of French sparkling from M&S comes in 20cl minis, half bottles and magnums, which are the perfect pours for parties. It’s got intensely-perfumed aromas of lemon shortbread, white peach and brioche with a richly-textured palate, fine bubbles and a crisp finish. Delish.
Buy now £55.00, Ocado
Taittinger Brut Prestige Rosé Half Bottle NV
This half-bottle of Taittinger Brut Prestige Rosé – delicate salmon-pink in colour – is just the ticket for those looking to toast the New Year without going overdoing it. Serving up aromas of wild raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant with complementary flavours of red fruit, it’s a shimmering and intense sip for celebrations.
Buy now £31.50, Fenwick
Penfolds Champagne Cuvée Brut
Created in partnership with esteemed Champagne house Thiénot, this refined cuvée blends French craftsmanship with Penfolds’ 180-year winemaking heritage.
Made from a classic trio of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes, the Champagne offers a fresh, expressive nose and a lively, clean palate.
It’s the perfect balance of crisp brightness and warming depth for big celebrations.
Buy now £42.00, Waitrose Cellar
Veuve Monsigny Champagne
Crowned Best Champagne at the World Champagne Awards 2025, Veuve Monsigny is an absolute steal. It’s aged to enhance its complexity and offers aromas of ripe apples and toasted nuts with flavours of citrus, strawberry and baked apple. The clean finish adds to its elegance. Run, don’t walk.
Buy now £15.49, Aldi
Champagne Pol Roger, Reserve, Brut
You’ll know your friends and family care really about you when they get a bottle of Pol Roger out from the fridge this New Year.
Rich but balanced, you can expect ripe apple, brioche and toasted almonds with bright citrus and fine bubbles.
Irresistibly moreish, it spends years ageing in cellars to serve up proper depth and creaminess. Lipsmackingly good.
Buy now £54.99, Selfridges
Champagne Bollinger, Special Cuvée, Brut
While Ab Fab might have made Bolly the Champagne of choice for the fashion pack back in the day, its credentials speak for itself. Full-bodied and complex, the wine base is aged in oak casks to create a fizz teeming with cream and spice.
What makes the Special Cuvée extra, er, special is that the grapes are sourced only from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards. Expect roasted walnut, apple and spice on the nose with pear, biscuit and brioche on the palate.
Bragging rights, guaranteed.
Buy now £43.00, Waitrose
Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvée Extra Brut Magnum
This double bottle from Bruno Paillard proves that size does matter when it comes to Champagne, at least. The house’s signature Premiere Cuvée Extra Brut uses grapes from more than 30 Crus to serve up ripe aromas of grapefruit, morello cherries, redcurrant and dried fruits with citrus fruits, almonds and toasted brioche flavours.
A classy number for an equally classy countdown.
Buy now £99.00, Wanderlust Wine
Les Pionniers 2013 Vintage Champagne
Used to toast the departure of James Martin from Saturday Kitchen – quite the claim to fame, if you’re a fan of the TV chef – this vintage of Co-op’s house Champagne is a feast for the senses. It’s made from exclusively Chardonnay grapes and is elegant, concentrated and bursting with vibrant stone fruit, ginger spice, honey and brioche.
Buy now £19.75, Co-op
Canard-Duchêne Brut Rosé Champagne
Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier play starring roles in this rosé Champagne from Canard-Duchêne with just a touch of still red wine for its dusky colour. For you, that means a vibrant but elegant pink fizz with notes of wild strawberry, raspberry and citrus peel.
It’s accompanied by soft bubbles and a dry finish with a hint of spice that make it just as good with food as it is an aperitif. Pair with oysters at midnight.
Buy now £35.00, Majestic
Champagne Gremillet Ambassadeur Brut NV
Perfect with nibbles as people arrive, or just as good on its own as a toast at midnight, Champagne Gremillet Ambassadeur Brut NV ticks all the boxes for New Year’s Eve. I particularly loved its brioche flavours – courtesy of ageing for 18 months on the less – and floral aromas that dance on the nose. A failsafe fizz.
Buy now £32.99, Virgin Wines
Champagne De Saint Gall Orpale Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2012
Champagne De Saint-Gall was founded by a collection of Grand Cru and Premier Cru growers in 1966 and is the opposite of the big, flashy Champagne houses. Orpale Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2012 is one of the fruits of its labour with a bouquet of citrus zest, cream, golden apple, peach and brioche complemented by a palate of apple pie, orange and lemon meringue. Fresh and fine, it’s a real connoisseur’s bottle.
Buy now £87.00, 8wines
Philipponnat, Réserve Perpétuelle, Brut
Deep, layered and complex – just like me – Philipponnat Réserve Perpétuelle is a special bottle spilling over with vine blossom and red-fruit flavours that’ll impress even the most discerning of Champagne snobs. Cue the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from guests as you emerge from the kitchen with a bottle of this for a midnight toast.
Buy now £44.96, Vinatis
Champagne Palmer & Co La Réserve
The perfect blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, Champagne Palmer & Co La Réserve – the signature sparkling from the namesake Champagne house – is aged for three to four years on the lees to deliver a sumptuous sip that’s deliciously rich and intense. It’s characterised by citrus, pear and apricot with subtle hints of hazelnut and brioche.
Buy now £42.00, HIC Wine Merchants
Champagne Henriot Bruv Souverain Jeroboam
A concentration of Chardonnay is balanced with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, with more than 25 Cru wines from the finest terroirs in Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, as well as reserve wines to make up this truly special blend.
Aged for more than three years, it’s all about citrus-fruit and floral aromas on the nose and brioche, cherries and peach on the palate.
The jeroboam size, containing four bottles, means the party can continue long after the clock strikes 12.
Buy now £261.00, Champagne Henriot
