Erin Elizabeth
It isn’t a stretch to describe champagne as the Rolls-Royce of wines. This classic beverage is synonymous with celebratory events, none more meaningful than marking the start of a year.
Still, it can be like looking for a needle in a haystack to find the best champagne for New Years, with hundreds of brands jostling for attention in the market.
Check out some of our favorite bottles of this famous French wine to find the perfect bottle to ring in the new year.
Whether splurging for a solo celebration or buying a caseload, the sparkling wines on this list will make your New Year celebration one to remember.
Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne
Dom Perignon is a distinguished vintage crafted from the finest grapes of a single year to capture the signature properties of the champagne while adhering to the age-old wine-making practices of 1688.
This vintage-only champagne is a product of the House of Moet & Chandon in France.
Still, it traces its roots to the 17th Century Benedictine monk Dom Perignon – a historical champagne master craftsman.
Dom Perignon Brut champagne combines Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. I like the delicate floral notes that give way to hints of citrus.
However, Dom Perignon Rose offers rosy afternotes of cream and red fruit – using only Pinot Noir.
It is only in the habit of Moet & Chandon to release this champagne once it’s sufficiently mature enough for enjoyment.
G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Champagne
G.H Mumm Grand Cordon is a flagship Cuvee featuring a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The result is refreshing sparkling wine with heady notes of fresh fruit.
It is a complex champagne with many grapes from Premiers Crus and Grand Crus, resulting in an intense flavor with a slender finish.
I love the light golden color – a testament to the champagne’s vibrancy.
The roundish feel of the bubbles burst into aromas of apricot, pineapple, and peach with undernotes of honey, caramel, and dried fruit.
This champagne is an amazing aperitif, and the intensity and freshness make it an excellent match with roasted meats or grilled fish.
Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut
Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut is a Cru-classe blend of the House Bollinger founded in 1829.
The champagne has clear transparency and frothy mousse, emphasizing its mid-gold hue.
The lively aroma offers a variety of notes, including butter and green apple, on the first nose.
The second nose has scents of baked apples that give way to a vanilla fragrance. Other notes play around the air, although not quite distinct at this stage.
However, the Bollinger Special Cuvee seems rough on the tongue because of its high acid content. It’s a dry champagne, not for individuals with a sweet tooth.
Pol Roger Brut Réserve
Pol Roger was established in 1849, and the Pol Roger Brut Reserve features 30 unique crus, not forgetting a quart of reserve wine.
This brand of champagne is the British Royal Family’s favorite, thanks to its delightful crisp flavors.
It has a zippy acidity rounded off with afternotes of nutty butter. It is a brand of champagne designed for celebration and features various aromas.
Citrus blossom mingles with fresh pear on the nose. The creamy mousse offers hints of lemon and sweet biscuits with undernotes of spice.
I prefer this champagne with cheese which helps bring out the full range and depth of its flavors.
Veuve Clicquot Brut
It’s a challenge to beat the prestigious and reliable brands for champagnes, and the Veuve Clicquot Brut is one that consistently delivers on its pedigree. This French champagne is a classic in all respects.
Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay grapes combine to serenade the senses with green apples and lime zest.
It’s a chic combo that offers a subtle crispness on the tongue to cut through any fried food, including potato chips and sushi.
I wouldn’t wait till New Year to sample this storied champagne, with a complexity of flavors that dance on the palate.
La Marca Prosecco
La Marca Prosecco is sparkling wine pressed from Glera grapes from the beautiful hillside vineyards of Treviso, Italy.
The rich aromas of green apples and freshly baked bread offer a robust mouthfeel. Prosecco is not champagne, but it is a sparkling white wine.
I love this sparkling wine for the festive holiday seasons – particularly the New Year.
The light texture is fresh and crispy. However, the afternotes of grapefruit tickle the palate most delightfully!
This prosecco has a nice acidity that doesn’t burn the throat. The bubbles are a thirst-quencher perfect for any holiday celebration.
Brut Majeur Aÿ Champagne
Ayala is a subsidiary of the House Bollinger but still retains its identity through the Brut Majeur.
This sun-kissed champagne is pale gold with a yeasty, fungal aroma and strong lemon hints.
The product is an excellent accompaniment with any meal, and the balanced acidity offers a mildness that doesn’t do justice to its elegant texture.
I like this champagne for its delicate and vinous flavor profile, courtesy of the harmony of fruity notes, including papaya, citrus, and candied lemon.
Brut Majeur will make a fantastic New Year’s gift for friends and family.
Billecart-Salmon Brut Nature
Brut Nature indicates a lack of sweeteners before bottling the wine. It is unclear when the addition of sweeteners to champagne became a tradition.
Still, all champagne was Brut Nature from time immemorial.
In that regard, Billecart-Salmon Brut Nature is a historical piece in a bottle.
This product consists of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, each working together to create a full-bodied champagne with a creamy, velvety texture.
The finish is dry and crisp, with lemon curd, brioche, and orange peel aromas.
Still, the minerally profile isn’t for everyone, with an acidity that stings the inner cheeks long after sipping.
Graham Beck Brut
Graham Beck Brut is an exceptional champagne alternative, a non-vintage sparkling wine from the Western Cape vineyards of South Africa.
This wine follows the Methode Cap Classique, responsible for the yeasty aromas and pale gold color.
I like the afternotes of honeysuckle and roasted nuts on the tongue.
The acidity is surprisingly refreshing, and you’ll love the hints of mango and apricots, both energetic and lively on the palate.
Still, this sparkler lacks the complex refinement of champagne and is an excellent supporting cast for your New Year festivities.
Korbel Prosecco
There are many prosecco products in the market, but none are as refined as this Korbel Prosecco from Italy.
The chief ingredient is Glera grapes which have a stronger flavor and sweetness than champagne.
Italian winemakers use the Charmat method to create sparkling wine, and Korbel is no different.
The flavor is vibrant, with lively bubbles that come alive when you pour it into a glass.
Wafting aromas of pear blossom, white peach, and lemon zest assail the nose. The extra-dry finish is tart on the tongue, perfect for sangrias and mimosas.
This prosecco has a beautiful balance of acidity and texture, an excellent choice for New Year’s Eve.
Laurent-Perrier Brut
This Laurent-Perrier Brut is sparkling white champagne from one of the last remaining independent powerhouses in the champagne industry.
The mid-gold hue is clear and transparent, ushering torrential bubbles that froth to the top.
The flavors are surprisingly complex, consisting of a smoky profile that masks its aroma to a high degree.
Still, detecting hints of litchi, apricot, and mango is possible on the second nose.
I particularly like the mouthfeel that opens with lime and pineapple notes, finishing with honey and toasted brioche.
This La Cuvee is rich and flavorful, best enjoyed with flour-based fare or seafood.
Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut
No list of the best champagne for New Year is complete without Moet & Chandon.
This world-renowned brand is the standard by which you must judge all champagne. And the benchmark is exceedingly high for the Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut.
It is celebratory champagne at its finest. This beverage features an otherworldly golden color courtesy of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier.
The velvety liquid is almost syrupy on the tongue, allowing you to observe heady hints of croissant, honey, and green apples on the first nose.
The second nose is extremely subtle; wisps of white flowers mingle with afternotes of lemon curd.
This premium product is authentic French champagne at the most affordable price.
Perrier Jouet Blason Rose NV
The Blason Rose NV is the latest release under the House of Perrier Jouet.
This champagne doesn’t fail to astonish with detailed notes of blood orange peel and pureed strawberry, giving way to light notes of raspberry and honey.
I’m amazed by the vibrant acidity that is at once voluptuous and sensual, bringing a mineral freshness to the palate.
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay sing gloriously through their full-bodied mouthfeel and tangy finish.
Perrier Jouet maintains its signature Blason tradition – a generous offering of the Chardonnay, which yields a gourmet Cuvee that pairs well with smoked salmon or pan-fried venison.
Whether you prefer premium champagne or budget prosecco, the sparkling wines on this list cover all New Year celebrations and are best for all occasions.
The world-famous drink offers a sweetness and depth of flavor that is almost impossible to imitate. Rest assured, you can’t go wrong with the brands mentioned above.
Learn about the different types of champagne so that you know what kind you like, or check out the most expensive sparkling wines if you really want to splurge!
