Whether you prefer a classic blanc de blancs, a bold rosé, or a dynamic Pinot Noir-driven cuvée, there’s a Champagne to match every palate and mood. To make this decision easier for discerning wine enthusiasts, the following is a curated list of eight Champagnes, each with its own distinctive character, perfect for uncorking at midnight and welcoming the new year in style.
Champagne Barons de Rothschild Blanc de Blancs ($78)
This exquisite Champagne is crafted from 100% Chardonnay from Grands and Premiers Crus in the prestigious villages of Avize, Les Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger. It opens with intense aromas of citrus and dried fruit, followed by flavors of buttery pastry and roasted almonds, and has a slightly saline note on the finish. It’s crystal clear in appearance and possesses fine bubbles. Barons de Rothschild Blanc de Blancs is the signature cuvée of the house, a collaboration between the three branches of the Rothschild family: Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild, and Groupe Edmond de Rothschild. This Champagne is ideal for the wine expert who appreciates the purity of a blanc de blancs.
Champagne Bollinger PN TX20 ($186)
With scents of citrus, peach, quince and red currant, this elegant Champagne has a flinty minerality on the finish. It’s a cuvée, mostly from the 2020 vintage, composed of 100% Pinot Noir, sourced primarily from a vineyard in Tauxieres, a cru in the Montagne de Reims. Tauxieres is known for its chalk and clay soils, which bring vivacity and finesse to the wine. A smaller portion of grapes from Verzenay are added, bringing further complexity and sea-air freshness. Wine critics are giving the PN TX20 high scores; James Suckling awarded it 95 points and praised its aromas of subtle strawberries, flint, gunmetal and crushed stones. For the wine collector who wants a deeply textured, refined, and serious wine for the New Year’s Eve toast.
Champagne Mandois Blanc de Blancs 2020 ($96)
With citrus and floral scents, this lovely Blanc de Blancs offers notes of grapefruit, pomelo, jasmine, and hints of umami and salinity on the finish. Crisp and vibrant on the palate, the 2020 release is the first certified organic bottling from Mandois after three years of organic conversion. The family-owned Champagne house, dating back to 1735 and now in its ninth generation, is situated in Pierry, a Premier Cru village southwest of Éperney. For in-the-know Chardonnay enthusiasts who want to show off a lesser-known brand.
Champagne Taittinger Brut La Française ($70)
Displaying a pale gold color and delicate aromas of apple, lemon, brioche, and vanilla, Brut La Française is one of the finest nonvintage sparkling wines among the Grande Marques. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from over 35 villages, it possesses a higher proportion of Chardonnay (40%) and is aged longer (almost 4 years on its lees) than most NVs. The extra cellar aging results in peak aromatic maturity. Brut La Française is refreshing, refined and the connoisseur’s choice to celebrate the new year.
Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Brut Rosé ($74)
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Rosé stands out for its vibrant, bright pink color and offers a bold sensory profile. The wine presents pronounced flavors of blood orange, strawberry, and cranberry, complemented by notes of brioche and a crisp finish with hints of grapefruit. A blend of 50% Pinot Noir 25% Chardonnay, and 25% Meunier, it is crafted by chief winemaker Emilien Boutillat in Piper-Heidsieck’s signature style of balance, intensity, and freshness. More fruit-forward than its predecessor, Rosé Sauvage, Brut Rosé is well-suited to those who enjoy Pinot Noir-dominant rosé year-round.
Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur ($68)
Elegant and expressive, Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur is a Chardonnay-focused cuvée with vibrant notes of white flowers, citrus, and stone fruits. A subtle chalky minerality lingers on the finish. Sourced from over 70 crus across the Champagne region, the blend captures the nuance of its terroirs and is aged for a minimum of three years on the lees to develop depth, texture, and delicate bubbles. Founded in 1860 in the heart of the Aÿ Grand Cru and part of Groupe Bollinger since 2005, Champagne Ayala is a historic boutique house known for pioneering a low-dosage style in the region. For those who appreciate an elegant and precise Chardonnay-driven cuvée.
Champagne Armand de Brignac Brut Gold ($310)
This “bling” Champagne, produced in collaboration between American rapper Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, comes in a striking metallic bottle. Crafted by the Cattier family, who have over 250 years of Champagne-making experience, the cuvée is a standout despite its flashy presentation. A blend of 40% each Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with Pinot Meunier, Brut Gold, also known as Ace of Spades, is the Montagne de Reims house’s prestige cuvée. Sporting a French pewter ace on the label which is applied by hand, it opens with aromas of baked biscuits and orange blossom, and shows peach, citrus and honey on the palette with a long fresh finish. It’s the most popular of the five cuvées in the range of this boutique Champagne house producing around 60,000 bottles. Ideal for those who want to show off their designer bottles.
Champagne Pommery Apanage Brut ($60)
Apanage Brut delivers lively pink grapefruit aromas, a creamy mousse texture, and notes of hazelnut, dried apricot, and vanilla. It matures in Pommery’s chalk cellars for an extra six months than the appellation requires bringing it refined bubbles. Madame Pommery, who took over the maison in 1858, pioneered the Brut style of Champagne at a time when sweetness dominated. Her vision led to one of the largest construction efforts of the era, transforming vast chalk quarries into deep wine cellars. This Champagne is for those seeking a Chardonnay-driven, creamy cuvée for their celebration.