The holidays are a time to toast to friends, family, and good fortune in the new year. But first you’ll need a great bottle of Champagne — and when it comes to the bubbly, there’s a balance to be struck between quality and price.
We talked to Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator‘s senior editor and tasting director, to get her recommendations for bottles that will impress your peers without breaking the bank. Wine Spectator does blind taste tests of more than 18,000 wines a year, and Napjus personally reviewed about 2,500 wines in 2016, including 500 sparkling wines.
She also gave us some tips on what to look for when selecting a bottle.
“The really big divide in sparkling wine, in terms of price, would be between vintage versions and non-vintage,” she said. “Vintage is more expensive, and it’s supposed to be symbolic of that year. Non-vintage is better for price, and it’s the majority of what you’ll see in the supermarket.”
Non-vintage wines are typically blends of several different vintages that a producer makes as a signature sparkling wine each year. Non-vintage bottles are not usually labeled as such — you can recognize one by the absence of the word “vintage” on its label.
Other terms that might signify a higher price point: “blanc de blancs,” “blanc de noirs,” and “rosé.”
“Those are more expensive as well because they’re using a specific type of grape, and they’re often a small production, so there’s a supply and demand situation,” Napjus said. “Production process also affects the price of the wine.”
Here are Napjus’ best-value sparkling wine picks, arranged in ascending order according to Wine Spectator’s ratings. While some of the more highly rated sparkling wines are Champagnes (meaning that they come from the Champagne region of France), others are Proseccos from Italy, Cavas from Spain, or sparkling wines from California.
Each of these wines can be had for $55 or less.
Freixenet Cordon Negro Extra Dry Cava ($12)
Saying hello to the holiday season.
A photo posted by Freixenet Cava (@freixenetusa) on Nov 26, 2016 at 4:41am PST on Nov 26, 2016 at 4:41am PST
Saying hello to the holiday season.
A photo posted by Freixenet Cava (@freixenetusa) on Nov 26, 2016 at 4:41am PST on Nov 26, 2016 at 4:41am PST
Wine Spectator score: 86/100
Region: Cava, Spain
According to Wine Spectator’s tasting notes, this Cava boasts flavors of “smoke, plum, tangerine and spice.”
Ca’ Furlan Cuvée Beatrice Prosecco Extra Dry ($10)
Wine Spectator score: 87/100
Region: Prosecco, Italy
Wine Spectator describes this Italian Prosecco as “balanced and lightly juicy.”
2012 El CepMarques de Gelida Gran Reserva Brut Cava($14)
Wine Spectator score: 87/100
Region: Cava, Spain
Prominent flavors in this sparkling wine include apple, almond, and lemon curd.
Nino Franco Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rustico ($18)
Wine Spectator score: 88/100
Region: Prosecco, Italy
Nino Franco Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rustico ($18)Facebook.com/ProseccoNinoFranco
This Italian Prosecco has hints of white peach, Thai basil, sliced almond, and lemon pith.
2011 Juvé y Camps Brut Nature Cava Gran Reserva de la Familia ($16)
Wine Spectator score: 89/100
Region: Cava, Spain
According to Wine Specator, this Spanish Cava is “a firm, focused version, with a smoky streak of mineral underscoring the flavors of fresh-cut pear, mandarin orange peel, vanilla biscuit, and pickled ginger.”
Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs Carneros ($22)
Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs Carneros ($22)Facebook.com/gloriaferrervineyards
Wine Spectator score: 90/100
Region: California
If you’d rather go for a California sparkler, this wine has both crisp and creamy flavors.
Ferrari Brut Trento ($26)
Ferrari Brut Trento ($26)Facebook.com/ferraritrento.global
Wine Spectator score: 90/100
Region: Trentino, Italy
Wine Spectator dubs this sparkling wine “very drinkable,” with notes of “Asian pear, ground ginger, hazelnut and lemon zest.”
Ployez-Jacquemart Brut Champagne Extra Quality ($43)
Wine Spectator score: 91/100
Region: Champagne, France
It’s a bit pricier than the sparkling wines that come before it on this list, but this Ployez-Jacquemart Champagne is said to have notes of apricot, orchard blossom, and pastry dough.
Lanson Brut Champagne Black Label ($45)
Lanson Brut Champagne Black Label ($45)Facebook.com/ChampagneLanson
Wine Spectator score: 91/100
Region: Champagne, France
Also hailing from the Champagne region of France, this sparkling wine is minerally and smoky.
Pol Roger Brut Champagne Réserve ($50)Pol Roger
Pol Roger Brut Champagne Réserve ($50)
Wine Spectator score: 92/100
Region: Champagne, France
This Champagne has flavors of poached pear and toast.
2008 Moutard Père & Fils Brut Champagne Cuvée des 6 Cépages ($55)
Wine Spectator score: 92/100
Region: Champagne, France
According to Wine Spectator, this Champagne is best enjoyed with a meal. They describe it as “balanced and juicy, featuring smoke and spice notes on the plush finish.”
Bérêche & Fils Brut Champagne Réserve ($46)
Wine Spectator score: 92/100
Region: Champagne, France
This Champagne is acidic, with notes of blackberry, toast, licorice, and mandarin orange peel.
Alfred Gratien Brut Champagne ($50)
Wine Spectator score: 93/100
Region: Champagne, France
This Champagne is described as “rich,” with a “firm acidity and an airy mousse.”
2009 Domaine Chandon Brut Yountville Vintage ($45)
Wine Spectator score: 93/100
Region: California
Wine Spectator calls this sparkling wine “polished and graceful,” with “floral aromas of Asian pear, fresh ginger and brioche.”
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