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Party season is upon us, and that means we’ll soon be hearing the pleasing popping of corks at many festive parties. And we are here for it. but with this Huge rise in champagne prices Over the past few years, by 25-30 percent – roughly responsible for its biggest decline in sales in 25 years – is sometimes hard to justify. ChampagneAnd instead people are looking towards Crémant and even Cava as it comes back into vogue, as some people are starting to get tired of it prosecco,
But there is method and skill in the madness of price hikes. to qualify to put Champagne On the label, the wine must be produced in the Champagne appellation region of France, a radius of 100 miles. It also requires following the ‘Traditional Method’ process, also known as As ‘Traditional Method’. This involves secondary fermentation in the bottle, then when the yeast (known as the lees) has completed its work, it is moved up to the neck and ‘descorted’ (taken out) and then sugar is added to finish the Champagne, which has different levels of fermentation which are listed below.
But, as the climate crisis is now making the Champagne region hotter and drier, many English vineyards in Sussex, Kent and beyond are benefiting from the Champagne season of 30 years ago. The evidence is really coming to light here, as many sommeliers now say that many English sparkling wines are just as good, or even whisper good. betterMore than many champagnes. Additionally, they are not being imported, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the product. Pommery, a classic French Champagne house, also had the foresight to plant vines in Hampshire in 2017, and is also making its own English sparkling wines (we’ve included one below), following the traditional method.
I’ve seen how English sparkling has flourished over the years, and for that reason, I’ve included a few here because insisting on old rules feels outdated – especially when even a French Champagne house is moving with the times. I’ve included supermarket own brands with bottles priced under £30 and even under £20, as well as some of the best-known names at the other end of the scale.
The best Champagnes for 2025 are:
how i tested
I have a flat full of Champagne bottles, and I employ a few assistants to carry the corks with me for tastings. I looked at each bottle with the same care and curiosity as any true Champagne lover. The tasting came again and I paid close attention to the aroma, complexity of flavor, quality of the bubbles and, of course, the all-important finish. Value for money also played its part and appearance also mattered: each glass should be bright and clear, with fine, persistent bubbles indicating genuine quality. Ultimately, I included only prestigious Champagne houses and producers, from independent artisans to renowned names that define the region. You can read my full testing criteria at the end of the guide.
Read more: The Best Wine Advent Calendars to Toast This Season