When in doubt, Champagne is a fool-proof holiday gift for friends and family. The season provides a plethora of festive moments to pop a bottle of bubbly, so the more the merrier when it comes to sparkling wine. But when you come face to face with the wine shop shelves, it’s helpful to have a little more than price to guide your purchase.
That’s why we broke down the options into seven categories that each fit a different gifting scenario. Looking for an interesting grower Champagne to wow your wine-nerd pal? Or a bottle for your sibling who’s always hosting extravagant dinner parties? This list offers options that fit each style and recipient.
Here are the best Champagnes to gift this year.
Best Budget Champagne: Champagne Château de Bligny Blanc de Blancs NV
Best Splurge Champagne: Champagne Louis Roederer Cristal 2016
Best Champagne for Beginners: Champagne Telmont Reserve Brut NV
Best Champagne for Geeks: Barnaut ‘Grande Reserve’ Grand Cru Brut Champagne NV
Best Champagne for Dinner Pairings: Valentin Leflaive CV 18 30 Champagne Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs NV
Best Champagne to Impress: Champagne Billecart-Salmon Elisabeth Salmon 2012
Best Bang-for-Your Buck Champagne: Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV
Best Budget Champagne Champagne Château de Bligny Blanc de Blancs NV
Sparkling wine from this historic region of France is notoriously expensive, so while the term “budget Champagne” is a bit of an oxymoron, there are still great values to be found. This bottle from Château de Bligny — a historic
