Buzz
No other beverage in the world can encapsulate the romance and exhilaration of a celebratory moment as vividly as the uncorking of a champagne bottle. The cork bursts, the bubbles sparkle, and the wine flows out with the energy of molten lava erupting from a volcano. Like all exceptional wines, champagne boasts depth, character, and prestige, earning it a distinguished place on the dining tables of royalty, celebrities, and elite business leaders. Given its unmatched status in the global wine market, this list highlights only sparkling wines from France’s Champagne region—no Cavas, Sekts, or Spumantes are included here. Cheers to a Happy New Year! May you savor some exquisite champagne while enjoying this New Year’s list.
10. Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill
This exceptional prestige cuvée was launched in 1984 by Pol Roger as a tribute to their most devoted customer, Sir Winston Churchill. From his first order of the 1895 vintage in 1908 until his passing in 1965, the former British Prime Minister insisted on enjoying Pol Roger champagne at every opportunity. His fondness for the wine was so profound that during wartime, echoing Napoleon, he famously declared, “In defeat I need it, in victory I deserve it.” His admiration for the brand deepened in 1944 when he attended the British Embassy’s Armistice Day celebration in Paris. There, he met Odette Pol-Roger, the elegant Grande dame of the champagne house, whose grace and sophistication left a lasting impression. From that day forward, she sent him a case of his preferred vintage annually on his birthday. In his final decade, Churchill consumed over 500 cases. As a mark of respect, Pol Roger added a black border to their labels on bottles shipped to the U.K. following his death. The Sir Winston Churchill cuvée embodies the rich, full-bodied flavor profile he cherished, with a typical retail price of around $215.
9. Moët & Chandon Dom Perignon White Gold
This impressive 3-liter Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon’s prestigious Dom Perignon cuvée is designed for the bold and extravagant champagne enthusiast who enjoys making a statement. The exorbitant price, starting at $11,200, is largely due to the bottle’s white gold-plated sheath rather than the wine itself. Only 100 bottles of the 1995 vintage were produced, each featuring a laser-engraved Dom Perignon label. Available at Harrods in London for approximately £7,750 ($12,000), this Jeroboam holds four times the volume of a standard champagne bottle. For comparison, the more widely available 1999 Dom Perignon costs around $150. And, for the record, it’s pronounced “mow-ette,” not “mow-eh.”
8. Krug Clos d’Ambonnay
Krug, a highly exclusive champagne house, introduced this exceptional Ambonnay cuvée in 2008. Unlike Krug’s traditional style, this champagne is crafted from a single grape variety, a single vintage, and a single vineyard. While it follows the 1979 Clos du Mesnil in concept, Krug’s flagship product, the Grande Cuvée, is a non-vintage blend incorporating up to 50% reserve wines. The Clos d’Ambonnay derives its grapes from a small 0.685-hectare Grand Cru vineyard near Ambonnay in Montage de Reims. With only 3,000 bottles produced and a price exceeding $2,500, this is far from ordinary. It stands as Krug’s sole blanc de noirs cuvée, made entirely from Pinot Noir. The Krug family acquired the Ambonnay vineyard in 1984 but kept it under wraps for over two decades until unveiling their first vintage, the 1995 Clos d’Ambonnay.
7. Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque
For a limited time, this champagne brand offered an unparalleled experience to its elite clientele. One hundred affluent individuals worldwide were invited to Perrier-Jouët’s headquarters, the Maison Belle Époque, to craft their own personalized cuvée. Guided by the 7th Cellar Master, Hervé Deschamps, guests toured the estate and selected their ideal blend. Their 12 champagne bottles, adorned with designs by artist Émile Gallé, were stored in the Maison’s cellar to age. Each set sold for $50,000. Note: Perrier-Jouët is pronounced “zhew-ette,” not “zhew-eh.”
6. 1928 Krug
To illustrate its significance, the 1928 vintage Krug was hailed by Serena Sutcliffe, Head of Sotheby’s Wine Department, as “one of the finest champagnes ever created.” In 2009, a 75cl bottle from the “Krug Collection” (the family’s prized wine library) was auctioned in Hong Kong for $21,200. Earlier, in 2004, another bottle, personally signed by brothers Henri and Remi Krug, fetched $2,100 at a Sotheby’s auction in London. Joseph Krug, their grandfather, considered crafting the 1928 vintage from the exceptional grapes available at the time one of his crowning achievements. This champagne graced the table of King George VI and his guests at the first post-World War II royal banquet at Buckingham Palace and was featured at the prestigious Millennium champagne tasting in Sweden in 1999.
5. Louis Roederer, 1990 Cristal Brut
Cristal is often regarded as the pinnacle of luxury among prestige cuvées. Its origins trace back to Tsar Alexander II of Russia, who, amidst the political turmoil of the late 19th century, feared assassination attempts involving concealed weapons in dark glass bottles. To address this, he enlisted a Flemish glassmaker to design a clear, flat-bottomed bottle. Overcoming the challenge of champagne’s intense gas pressure, the glassmaker used lead crystal, giving rise to the name “Cristal.” This champagne boasts a royal legacy, reflected in its exquisite presentation. A Methuselah-sized bottle (eight times larger than standard) of the 1990 Cristal Brut Millennium cuvée sold for $18,800 at Christie’s in New York in 2005.
4. Hiedsieck 1907 Diamant Bleu cuvée
This vintage cuvée boasts a remarkable history. During World War I, the wooden freighter Jönköping was tasked with transporting fine spirits and wine to Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. On November 3, 1916, the ship was struck by a German submarine, U-22, and sank 67 meters below the Baltic Sea. Among its cargo were over 2,000 bottles of Heidsieck 1907 Diamant Bleu cuvée. Preserved by the cold, dark, and low-pressure conditions of the seabed, the bottles remained intact for over 80 years until their discovery by Swedish divers in 1997. Upon tasting, the divers found the champagne still exquisite. Since then, the bottles have been auctioned worldwide, fetching an average of $3,700 each, making them a prized possession for collectors.
3. 1893 Veuve Clicquot
In July 2008, while hiring a locksmith to open an antique cabinet at Torosay Castle in Scotland, owner Chris James stumbled upon a hidden treasure of vintage spirits. Among the finds was a nearly pristine bottle of 1893 Veuve Clicquot, complete with its iconic yellow label. Alongside it were bottles of claret, brandy, and a port decanter, revealing the cabinet as a 19th-century drinks collection. Veuve Clicquot confirmed it was the only known bottle of its kind, making it priceless. Today, it is showcased at the Veuve Clicquot visitor center in Reims, France. Its unparalleled exclusivity cements its status as the rarest champagne in the world.
2. 1825 Perrier-Jouët
Hidden 70 feet below ground in Perrier-Jouët’s cellars lies an unparalleled collection of champagne. Since the early 19th century, the house has preserved bottles from its finest vintages. In March 2009, twelve renowned wine experts were invited to a unique tasting event. Among the 20 bottles opened was the 1825 Perrier-Jouët, the oldest drinkable wine in existence. Only three bottles of this vintage remain, all stored in the same cellar. Cellar master Hervé Deschamps uncorked the bottle, and despite losing most of its fizz, the wine retained a delightful flavor of truffles and caramel. Other vintages sampled included the 1846 and 1874, the latter still remarkably sparkling.
1. Ca. 1820 Juglar cuvée
In July 2010, Swedish divers uncovered 168 champagne bottles from a shipwreck 55 meters deep in the Baltic Sea. While the labels were too damaged to determine the exact vintage, experts believe they date back to the early 19th century. The cold, dark seabed preserved the bottles in near-perfect condition for over 150 years. Remarkably, initial tastings confirmed the champagne was still drinkable. Further analysis in November 2010 revealed that only three bottles were from the renowned Veuve Clicquot, while the rest were produced by the now-defunct Juglar house. Local authorities plan to auction the bottles, with each expected to fetch over $62,000.
