Forget about partridges in pear trees – we want our twelve days of Christmas to be filled with the sound of corks popping and glasses overflowing with bubbles. So naturally, we’re eager to discover the answer to a very important question: what is the best Christmas Champagne?
From newer artisan producers to historic grand maisons, everybody has a favourite producer from Champagne, one of France’s greatest wine regions. In this article, we explore the best Christmas bubbly brands with which to toast your festive season.
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12. Frerejean Frères
We begin with a small craft maison established in 2005, when the three Frerejean-Taittinger brothers (cousins to the iconic Taittinger family) started making Champagne for friends and family. Word spread that their cuvée was outstanding and Frerejean Frères was formed. And over the next 18 years, the marque would impress countless critics and connoisseurs worldwide.
Based in the small village of Avize, this artisanal producer relies on small-scale and low-chemical production methods that respect the land. A bottle or three of Frerejean Frères’ elegant signature Premier Cru Brut (NV) is sure to go down a treat at your Christmas event.
11. Louis Roederer
Louis Roederer is one of the few remaining independent family run maisons, and it’s the brand’s famous cuvée de prestige Cristal that we suggest for your festive season. Originally crafted in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II of Russia, the gold-enveloped Cristal quickly became a symbol of luxury. You may notice that bottles of Cristal have flat bottoms; requested by the Tsar to ensure the traditional punt was not filled with explosives!
In the early 2000s, this vintage Champagne became curiously popular with hip-hop celebrities including 50 Cent and Jay-Z — a relationship the brand has subtly tried to distance itself from in years since. With its fresh, silky mouthfeel and mineral quality, Cristal cuts through rich flavours and proves one of the best champagnes for Christmas lunch.
10. Piper-Heidsieck
Over the last 235 years, Piper-Heidsieck has seen more awards than bubbles in its bottles and has always held deep links with Hollywood. Not only was it the first bottle of Champagne to feature in a film, but it was also Marilyn Monroe’s favourite, with the superstar reportedly enjoying a glass on waking each morning.
With that in mind, Piper-Heidsieck’s non-vintage Cuvée Brut — a blend of 100 crus — is an excellent choice for toasting the season at breakfast on Christmas morning.
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9. Laurent-Perrier
Laurent-Perrier has been in business since 1812 and remains one of France’s leading maisons, largely due to its quality and innovation in the Champagne world. For example, the brand created a low-calorie Ultra Brut, with no added sugar for those watching their waistlines. No surprise to hear that this one is a favourite of fashion models, including Kate Moss.
Yet at Christmas, we suggest going all out and enjoying a bottle of Laurent-Perrier’s signature Champagne, La Cuvée. Or splurge on the prestige cuvée Grand Siècle Iteration No.25, which is something very special to enjoy after dinner.
8. Paul Launois
For decades, the Launois family’s grapes were sold to the village co-operative. Then, in 2015, this all changed, when husband-and-wife team, Julien and Sarah, began making their own wines. This very new récoltant manipulant (grower-producer) is already turning heads – and rightly so. Set in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil, Paul Launois creates some truly superb handmade Champagnes.
We suggest opting for a bottle of the Composition — a multi-vintage blend with a hugely refreshing nose, a fine mousse, and a mouth-watering finish. Perfect for some late evening indulgence this Christmas.
7. Nicolas Feuillatte
Only established in 1976, Nicolas Feuillatte may well be a baby in the Champagne industry, yet the brand is instantly recognizable and consistently the number one choice in France – a country that clearly knows a good Champagne when it sees one.
This Champagne cooperative is not short of beautiful cuvées, but we recommend the brand’s fresh and citrussy Brut Champagne for pre-dinner canapes; we also think it’s one of the best Christmas champagnes for cocktails.
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6. Taittinger
Pierre Taittinger first visited Champagne during the First World War as an injured officer, then returned in 1932 to buy an estate in Reims. Over the next century, the maison would produce Champagnes that would be acclaimed worldwide. Interestingly, in 2017, Taittinger became the first Champagne house to plant a vineyard in the UK, dipping a toe into the emergent English sparkling wine segment.
It’s difficult to go wrong with any bottle of Taittinger for Christmas Day, although we suggest the Brut Prestige Rosé — a lively and indulgent chardonnay-dominated cuvée that is ideal for the cheeseboard.
5. G.H. Mumm
G.H. Mumm is one of the largest Champagne houses in the world, producing more than 8 million bottles each year. Established in Reims in 1827, a bottle of Mumm is instantly recognizable due to the striking red ribbon bottle.
This will certainly ring true for Formula 1 fans, who will have seen many a bottle of Mumm sprayed by winning drivers when the brand was the official podium Champagne from 2000 to 2015. But don’t waste a drop of the classic Cordon Rouge NV, which makes the best Christmas champagne cocktails thanks to its light and accessible style.
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4. Veuve Clicquot
Ah, the distinctive bright yellow label of Veuve Clicquot — one of the world’s most iconic Champagne houses. Today owned by Louis Vuitton, Veuve Clicquot has always been a pioneering brand, largely thanks to its skilful original female owner, Madame Clicquot, who took over the business after the death of her husband.
Under Madame Clicquot, it was the first brand to produce a single vintage Champagne in 1810 and the first to create rosé Champagne in 1818. For Veuve Clicquot, the marque’s greatest Christmas Champagne may well be a bottle of its latest-release 2012 Vintage; elegant, slightly woody, but perfectly balanced.
3. Bollinger
Located in the serene village of Aÿ since 1829, Bollinger is one of the most famous Champagne houses in the world. Popping open a bottle of ‘Bolly’ just screams celebration, so it’s a certainty when considering the best Christmas Champagnes. Just like Michelin stars and Rolls-Royces, Bollinger has become synonymous with luxury.
Dubbed the ‘most British of all Champagnes’, Bollinger is also a brand with strong James Bond connections, having featured in several films — the brand even produced a limited-edition 007 bottle. For Christmas, you can’t go wrong with a bottle of the bestselling Special Cuvée NV, with its complex depth, subtle flavours, and fine bubbles that make it ideal for toasting any festive event.
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2. Moët & Chandon
Established in 1743, Moët & Chandon is perhaps the world’s best-known Champagne producer. The house crafts around 26 million bottles every single year, all kept in around 17 miles of cavernous underground wine cellars at its Épernay estate. Moët was enjoyed by Napoleon as a victory wine, and was the late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite Champagne brand, still holding a Royal Warrant today.
From royalty to celebrity to everybody else, Moët is a true crowd-pleaser and any Christmas celebration is only enhanced by its presence. The Grand Vintage 2009 is one of the best Champagnes for Christmas dinner, as the heavy pinot noir makes this full-bodied wine capable of standing up to any roast.
1. Dom Pérignon
While it is crafted by Moët & Chandon, this prestigious cuvée deserves an entry of its own in this list. Named after a 17th-century Benedictine monk, Dom Pérignon is one of the most illustrious Champagnes on the planet. It’s strictly a vintage Champagne, always made using pinot noir and chardonnay grapes.
With such pedigree, it’s another go-to brand for both royalty and celebrities, and another dear to James Bond; having featured in no less than eight 007 movies. While you may struggle to get hold of the vintages enjoyed by Roger Moore, the energetic Vintage 2012 is readily available and well worthy of a place at your festive celebration.
Our recipe for the best Christmas Champagne cocktail
Champagne can be enjoyed in many ways over Christmas, so don’t overlook the opportunity to whip up a mouth-watering Champagne cocktail to ignite your event.
To us, Christmas is not complete without a Buck’s Fizz with breakfast. This all-time classic cocktail is simple to concoct. Just add two measures of non-vintage Champagne to a glass and top it up with one measure of freshly squeezed orange juice. Voila!
So, is there a “best” Champagne for Christmas?
Who are we to crown one single winner? Each of the 12 Champagne brands on this list could walk away with the title of best Christmas Champagne. Luckily, the real fun is in sampling a plethora of bottles and choosing your own favourite.
As a general suggestion, go for a bold vintage Champagne with your Christmas dinner, and use a non-vintage for canapes, breakfast, cocktails and general toasting. Meanwhile, a rosé champagne will be ideal for your dessert. Finally, enjoy prestige Champagnes without food, allowing you to truly enjoy the depth and intricacies of these fine wines.
We answer a few more Champagne questions in our guide to Champagne appreciation.
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Enjoy the world’s finest cuvées with Ultimate Driving Tours
Want to absorb the culture and cuisine that surrounds the magnificent Champagne region of France? Then join us for a Champagne tasting tour which you can enjoy as part of our gourmet driving tour of France.
On this excursion, you can enjoy an exclusive guided tour of some of Champagne’s finest maisons in Épernay and Reims, with both dining and tastings included. There is no better place to indulge in the finest Champagne. Contact our expert team today and allow us to take care of every last detail.
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