You really can’t go wrong with any of these Champagnes or sparkling wines. We’ve selected a range of wines at different price points. If you’re wondering what to pair with your sparkling wine, that’s kind of a trick question because it plays well with others and goes with just about every and anything; it’s perfectly delicious on its own, too! If you’re still feeling a little unsure about what to have it with, here are some ideas to get you started:
- Oysters, shrimp, sushi, seafood
- Caviar
- Rich foods like fried foods, e.g., French fries, potato chips, cream sauces
- Risotto
- Charcuterie
- Soft, creamy cheeses, such as Brie
- Nuts (dry roasted or just out of the shell)
- Macaroni and cheese
- Fresh fruit desserts
- On its own
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Château de Bligny
All the things you come to expect from Champagne—bready, yeasty, and pleasant to drink. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on it, scoop it up.
Pricing: Around $40 to $45
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G.H. Mumm
Rich and toasty with notes of dried fruit.
Pricing: Around $45 -
Bollinger
“Bubbles like velvet; pear, brioche and spicy aromas, notes of fresh walnut.”
Pricing: Around $65 -
Laurent-Perrier
“A perfumed nose with hints of citrus and white fruits. Fresh and easy on the palate, with a creamy mousse and notes of honeysuckle, ripe peach, citrus and a slight toasty note on the finish. Its balance and freshness are enhanced by a light dosage.”
Pricing: Around $55 to $60 -
Champagne Aubry
“This elegant wine is copper-laden and snappy with mineraled classic depth, light floral honey aromas, and dark notes of crackers, toasted bread, and pepper.”
Pricing: Around $50 to $55 -
Pol Roger
“With a powerful and attractive nose, it first delivers aromas of fruit and then releases light flavors of honeysuckle and white jasmine, lingering on vanilla and brioche notes.”
Pricing: Around $70 -
Jean Vesselle Brut Reserve
“Blond toast, red apples and wildflowers; silky and long. Red berries, minerals, a hint of white pepper.”
Pricing: Around $45 -
Drappier Carte d’Or
“A Champagne of great aromatic richness. The taste begins with stone fruits such as white vineyard peaches. A spicy note emerges in a powerful and complex mouthfeel. A vinous Champagne of grand complexity, with a characteristic touch of quince jelly.”
Pricing: Around $52 -
Ferrari Brut
“Paradoxically, Italy’s most famous metodo classico sparkling wine was started with the desire to compete with the best French Champagnes. Giulio Ferrari, a Trentino native, started his venerable sparkling wine house in 1902, after studying winemaking in France. Ferrari wines consistently receive some of Italy’s top accolades.
Fresh and lasting aromas, with significant overtones of ripe golden apples, wild flowers and a subtle, delicate fragrance of yeast. On the palate, the wine is clean and balanced, with a slight and pleasant finish of ripe fruit and a hint of bread-crust.”
Pricing: Around $24 -
Roederer Estate Brut
“Founded in 1982, Roederer Estate is nestled in Mendocino County’s fog-shrouded, Anderson Valley. As the California property of Champagne Louis Roederer, Roederer Estate builds upon a centuries-old tradition of fine winemaking.
Roederer Estate Brut is crisp and elegant with complex pear, spice and hazelnut flavors. It is fresh and lightly fruity with great finesse and depth of flavor.”
Pricing: Around $35 -
Sauvage
“Founded in 1984, Gruet Winery specializes in Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines. Family owned and run, the New Mexico-based winery produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-based Sparkling wines, with roots originating from Gilbert Gruet’s Champagne house in Bethon, France.
A bone-dry sparkler, pale straw in color with a delicate but persistent mousse.”
Pricing: Around $20 -
Decoy Brut Cuvée
Crafted in the Méthode Champenoise tradition, Decoy Brut Cuvée “is an enticing sparkling wine that offers alluring layers of baked apple, white peach and orange zest, as well as aromatic hints of honeysuckle and vanilla. On the palate, a delicate sweetness is perfectly balanced by bright acidity, which adds poise and energy to the lush, pure fruit flavors.”
Pricing: Around $22 -
Bonus: Segura Viudas Brut Cava
Sometimes you just don’t have the bucks, but you’d still like something sparkly and festive. This cava is a great budget wine for just that.
Crafted in the Método Tradicional, Segura Viudas Brut Cava has “aromas of white fruits, citrus, and light floral notes. The palate is elegant with structured mousse, bright acidity and complexity. Dry with a long finish.”
Pricing: Around $9.99 to $12
As always, if you have any questions, please give me a shout in the comments below or via email at hello@thewellplatedtray.com
Enjoy responsibly!
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