Champagne: Reviews

Champagnes offer excellent quality, but at a price

Over the past decade, the popularity and quality of wine has increased dramatically in the U.S., and demand has grown for what has always been a limited commodity. The economic downturn of recent years aside, Champagne has followed that trend. The good news is, with increased demand, the quality and quantity of sparkling wines have also improved. While Champagne is still exclusively cultivated in the Champagne region of France, the U.S. and wine producing countries around the world have begun producing sparkling wines of, arguably, comparable quality.

Though some maintain that French Champagnes are the best bubblies out there, many critics recommend domestic sparkling wines as highly. While there are a slew of other options, for the sake of simplicity (and the widest availability), we've limited our considerations in this report to Champagnes and U.S. sparkling wines, but sparkling wines from other countries, including Italian prosecco and Spanish cava are also becoming more common and popular.

For the most discerning of palates, the highest-rated Champagne we found is the Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2004 (*Est. $200). Every reviewer -- from respected publications such as Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate and Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar -- scores the wine at 93 or higher on a 100-point scale, and three give it a score of 97. In layman's terms, those numbers translate to a wine that is, at worst, exceptional, and, at best, extraordinary, rare and the ideal for a wine of its type. The reviewers' tasting notes reveal that the 2004 Cristal is rich and dense with pear flavors and aromas of toasted nut and it has a mineral finish. They also agree that this Champagne will age very well. With that knowledge, though, consumers hoping to pop open the bubbly sooner rather than later may not find the Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2004 worth the splurge.

For a decent bottle of real French Champagne that is ready to open now or that is more affordable, experts recommend Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve Particulière NV (*Est. $30). This nonvintage Champagne is less expensive than vintage French Champagnes, and it is consistent in quality because it is made from wine of multiple vintages. It has complex fruit, nut and citrus notes, and it gets 92 points from Wine Spectator. Several other food and drink outlets also recommend the Brut Reserve Particulière NV as the best inexpensive French Champagne -- among them Gayot.com, Food & Wine magazine and Epicurious.com -- especially for holiday and year-end celebrations. Reviewers and consumers alike say Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Particulière NV is an excellent value and comparable to more expensive wines. Some reviewers do note, however, that if you're not determined to buy authentic Champagne, domestic sparkling wines of similar quality can be found at lower prices.

Sparkling wines may offer better value than Champagne

Sparkling wines are typically made the same way as Champagnes (with similar grape combinations, aging and bottling processes) but they cost less, because of their greater availability and the absence of import costs. Reviewers agree Roederer Estate Brut NV (*Est. $20) is the best option for a high-quality domestic sparkling wine that's inexpensive. The wine is made by the U.S. branch of the French winemaker, Louis Roederer, and the grapes used for the Brut NV are grown on Roederer's property in the Anderson Valley of California.

Blind taste tests by Wine Spectator, Wine & Spirits and Connoisseurs' Guide gives the Roederer Estate Brut NV an average of about 90 points out of 100, putting it on par with more expensive Champagnes like the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve Particulière NV. Because it is a nonvintage wine, the Brut is very consistent from year to year, and experts say it's ready to enjoy now. It has complex flavors well beyond its price point, with aromas of apple and pear and warm spice flavors. The Roederer Estate Brut NV is also easy to find nationally.

At a similar price point, Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs NV (*Est. $20) and Scharffenberger Brut NV (*Est. $20) are also well reviewed, though not quite as universally well regarded as the Roederer Estate Brut NV. For buyers willing to spend more,  Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV (*Est. $40) is better received by critics. With four scores of more than 92 points, it fares as well as the French Champagne, Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve Particulière NV, though it is slightly more expensive.

Not all sparkling wines are white or yellow. Growing in popularity, roses are sparkling wines with a pink hue ranging from light coral to almost red. They're made in a process similar to other sparkling wines, though they usually include some red wine to promote the pink color (alternatively, some winemakers may allow the grapes to soak in the skins before separating them). Among sparkling roses, Mumm Napa Brut Rose NV (*Est. $20) offers the best value, according to reviewers. Wine Enthusiast, Connoisseurs' Guide and Wine Spectator all give it a score of 90 or higher, while Epicurious.com recommends it as a budget-conscious sparkling wine for New Year's Eve celebrations. Reviewers note that this rose is very fruity -- a possible downside to some --  and it is balanced by a yeasty flavor that's often found in more expensive roses. Like other wines at this price point, the Mumm Napa Brut Rose NV is ready to enjoy now and may not age well.