Champagne is one of the most popular beverages. Loved for its fizz and bubbles, it’s a drink that has been enjoyed by many since ancient times.
The French have long been known as masters at crafting fine wines and champagne is no exception. In fact, there are more than 200 different varieties of champagnes produced in France alone.
Champagne is often recognized for being pretty steep in price which can put many off from enjoying the wonderful beverage.
However, it is possible to enjoy a nice glass of bubbly without breaking the bank!
No longer do you need to hold off on buying champagne for your next celebration because we've got some great news for you!
Here we take a look at ten of the most delicious champagnes you can buy on a budget and no one will ever know the difference.
OUR TOP PICK
Segura Viudas Original Brut Cava offers a delicate fruitiness. This beverage is perfect for serving at a celebration dinner as it provides freshness and slight complexity in its flavors making it a complimentary choice.
The cava consists of three significant characterful flavors of apple, pear, and a slight hint of citrus offering a balance of sweet and savory.
It also contains a touch of minerality and acidity making this a very refreshing drink. The Segura Viudas is a Brut that dates back to the 11th century. This beverage serves to honor its heritage.
This sparkling wine is aged between 12 - 15 months for an extra depth of flavor. It is made from the finest ingredients and is responsibly and sustainably made.
Pros
- Made from a blend of 4 wines for added complexity
- Aged between 12 - 15 months
- Affordable
Cons
- On the sweeter side
EDITORS CHOICE
Francois Montandon Brut is a crisp and fruity sparkling wine with a strong floral fragrance.
This champagne is ideal for those who prefer their drinks on the lighter side as it consists of a delicate flavor and fine bubbles.
It provides a subtle smooth consistency and a hint of citrus. This beverage is perfect for dinner as it is nicely paired with white fish, cheese, and salad.
It is made from a variety of Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc, and a Cuvee of Colombard grapes. These grapes are blended to create a balanced taste profile.
It is then aged for up to 9 months before bottling. This allows the wine to develop further and gain additional complexity.
The Francois Montand is a traditional brut style sparkling wine. This means that it does not contain any sugar or residual sweetness.
Pros
- Light bodied with a delicate flavor
- Pairs nicely with white fish and cheese
- Consists of fruity and floral notes
Cons
- Not ideal for pairing with red meat
BEST VALUE
Freixenet is a Spanish sparkling wine producer based in Catalonia. They produce a range of sparkling wines including Freixenet Brut, Freixenet Rosé, and Freixenet Cuvée Prestige.
Their sparkling rose is a light-bodied sparkling wine with a pleasant aroma. This beverage has a bright pink color and mild effervescence as it offers a delicate smoothness and soft bubbles.
It is produced using only natural yeasts and is unfiltered. This makes it a true expression of the grape varietal used.
The Freixenet Sparkling Rosé is a dry sparkling rosé wine. It features a fruity personality with hints of strawberry and raspberry and subtle sweet vanilla notes. This rose is a perfect stand-alone beverage for serving at a celebration.
Pros
- Aged up to 18 months
- Sweet and fruity flavor
- Balanced acidity
Cons
- Ideal as a stand-alone beverage
RUNNER UP
The award-winning Chandon Brut is great for pairing with food. This sparkling wine offers a rich and complex flavor with a full body.
This beverage is best served chilled and pairs well with seafood dishes such as oysters, mussels, and scallops or white meat.
It consists of a dry finish and citrus signatures of apple and pear. This is a great choice for entertaining guests or offering as a gift.
The Chandon Brut consists of a cool, refreshing, and crisp personality that makes it a fantastic showstopper. Additionally, it has been aged for a minimum of 12 months for optimal flavor development.
Pros
- Ideal for entertaining and food pairing
- Consists of a crisp and fresh flavor
- Features fruity, citrus notes
Cons
- Consists of a dry finish
RUNNER UP
This award-winning Italian sparkling wine comes from the Veneto region. Mionetto Prosecco Brut is an elegant and refined sparkling wine that is best served chilled.
It is a medium-bodied sparkling wine with a clean and crisp character. This beverage is ideal for pairing with seafood, salads, and vegetable dishes due to its delicate flavor and soft bubbles.
The Mionetto Prosecco Brut is fermented without the skin of the grapes, and it is gently pressed to give a delicate finish. The sparkling wine consists of well-structured fruity notes and a hint of floral and spice.
Pros
- Soft and balanced flavor
- Great for food pairing
- Consist of a crisp and refreshing character
Cons
- Doesn't offer much complexity
RUNNER UP
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad is a medium bodied and elegant sparkling wine. This beverage is made up of 9 different wines to create a bold and characterful blend.
Though bold in complexity, the beverage is well structured and consists of a smooth finish with a delicate flavor and sweet aroma.
This sparkling wine makes for a bottle of great stand-alone champagne for toasting at celebration due to its luxurious sweet notes. Besides its complex character, this Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad is well-aged for more than 24 months.
Pros
- Made up of 9 different varieties of wine for a characterful blend
- Has a mild sweetness
- Well aged for more than 24 months
Cons
- Better suited as a stand-alone beverage
RUNNER UP
Franciacorta is known for being one of Italy's most prestigious sparkling wine regions. Berlucchi Franciacorta Brut is a medium-bodied, elegant sparkling wine.
This sparkling wine is produced using the traditional method of fermentation. This means that the yeast remains in contact with the grape skins during the entire process.
The result is a very aromatic sparkling wine with a bright fruitiness and a long palate. This sparkling wine is best served chilled as it works well as a stand-alone beverage.
The sparkling wine features a soft and delicate flavor with rich floral notes and lingering hints of citrus for a complex profile. It is made from a blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir.
Pros
- A complex blend of rich flavors
- Aged for 19 months
- Full-bodied and ideal for pairing
Cons
- Better suited to white meat and fish
RUNNER UP
Cuvée Brut Piper Heidsieck is a medium-bodied multi-vintage champagne with a light body and a crisp and lively character.
This beverage is produced by blending three different grape varieties including 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay.
This sparkling wine is perfect for serving as a stand-alone beverage or for pairing with cheese, desserts, and pastries. Its dry style is suitable for all occasions.
Pros
- Complex blend
- Ideal for celebrations
- Consists of a crisp and fresh flavor with citrus notes
Cons
- Better suited as a stand-alone beverage
RUNNER UP
Mosaic Brut by Champagne Jacquart is an aromatic sparkling wine with a fine balance between elegance and personality.
This sparkling wine has been crafted using the traditional method of production where the yeast remains in contact throughout the entire process.
The resulting beverage is a beautifully balanced sparkling wine with a clean and refreshing taste as it consists of fruit peach, pear, and apricot flavors with hints of floral flavors of rose and white flowers.
This sparkling wine is best enjoyed on its own or paired with seafood dishes. It also goes well with cheeses and desserts.
Pros
- Perfectly balanced
- Consists of a smooth and slightly zesty finish
- Pairs nicely with appetizers
Cons
- Better suited as a stand-alone beverage
RUNNER UP
Brut Pol Roger is a medium-bodied sparkling wine with a crisp and lively character that is produced using the traditional technique of fermentation.
This sparkling wine is made up of a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay for a complex blend. Also, this blend works to create a fresh, aromatic, and well-rounded flavor.
This sparkling wine can be served as a stand-alone beverage but is better suited for drinking alongside savory foods such as poultry and meats.
Pros
- Medium-bodied
- Ideal for parties
- Has hints of fruity and citrus flavors
Cons
- Better suited to those who favor a light champagne
Buyer's Guide
Shopping for affordable champagne can be difficult but with these factors to look out for, you'll never go wrong. When it comes to shopping for 'cheap' champagne consider:
Price
How much you're willing to spend on a bottle of champagne is completely down to you, however, it doesn't need to cost the earth.
If you're looking for something to serve on a special occasion then you may want to think about splashing out on a premium brand.
However, if you're just wanting to treat yourself to a nice glass of bubbles now and again then you don't necessarily need to break the bank.
Quality
There are plenty of affordable champagnes out there so what makes them stand out? Well, they should offer a good quality product that won't disappoint you.
You want to make sure that you get value for money when purchasing 'cheap' champagne. Look for bottles that are well-sealed and are not damaged.
Taste
A lot of cheaper champagnes tend to have a bitter or overly acidic flavor which can put many off buying more affordable bottles of champagne. However, not all will taste like that.
Some will taste so great that you won't be able to tell the difference between the premium and budget brands.
The key to finding one that tastes great is conducting research. Be sure to read reviews before setting your heart on one product.
Aging
Aging has a huge impact on how cheaper champagne will taste. As time passes, the flavors develop.
So, if you're after a specific vintage then make sure you find a cheap champagne that was produced around that year or a sparkling wine that has aged for at least 12 months.
Storage
If you plan on drinking your champagne within a few days of purchase then you don't have to worry too much about storage.
However, if you plan on keeping your champagne for longer than that then you may want to store it in the fridge. This will slow down the aging process and help maintain the freshness of the champagne.
Food Pairing
Champagne pairs really well with food. Whether you're having a meal in or dining out, serving a glass of champagne alongside your meal can add a bit of class to your evening.
Alcohol Content
Cheaper champagnes often contain less alcohol than their higher-priced counterparts. However, this does not mean that they are any weaker. In fact, some of the cheapest champagnes actually contain more alcohol than others!
Not all good champagnes come with an expensive price tag. Some are even available for less than $20 per bottle. So if you're looking for a cheap alternative to the usual premium brands then these are just what you need.
When it comes to choosing which champagne to buy, there are a few things you should consider. Firstly, how much money do you want to spend? Secondly, whether you prefer dry or sweet styles.
Dry champagne is usually made using grapes that have been fermented before they are pressed into juice. This results in a wine that is lower in sugar content but higher in acidity.
Sweet champagne uses grapes that are left whole so that their sugars remain intact during fermentation.
We also like to think about the occasion when we're going to be drinking our champagne.
If you're planning on having a romantic dinner for two then perhaps something light and fruity would be better suited to the occasion.
On the other hand, if you're throwing a party for friends then you may want to go for something with a bit more personality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between Prosecco, Cava, Brut, And Sparkling Wine?
Prosecco is made from the same grape variety as champagne, but it undergoes a secondary fermentation process that produces a softer, slightly sweeter taste.
Cava is a sparkling white wine. It's similar to champagne, but it's usually cheaper and doesn't contain any added yeast.
Brut is a type of champagne that contains no added yeast. It's also known as 'dry' champagne.
Sparkling wines are made by adding carbon dioxide to wine. They include both still and sparkling varieties.
Does Age Matter?
Yes, it does. Champagne ages well and can improve over time. We recommend storing bottles in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
Final Considerations
If you're looking for a bottle of great value champagne then look no further than this affordable and delicious selection. These are perfect for casual use and offer excellent quality at a fraction of the cost of their premium cousins.
So if you're looking for something special to drink while enjoying a romantic dinner, or celebrating, then these are definitely worth checking out.
I want to share with you all of my favorites, as well as share advice on picking certain alcohols and flavors.
I hope you enjoy my articles as much as I enjoyed researching them!
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- All Major Differences Between Prosecco And Moscato (And Which You Should Choose) - January 7, 2023
