After the year that 2020 has been, many of us will be looking even more forward to a glass or two of champagne for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. To find out what we should drink, we had a chat to people who are experts on champagne and to champagne and French wine and importers. Find out their recommendations for all budgets below.
Champagne Experts: recommendations of champagne for Christmas and New Year’s Eve
Natalie Pickett is the Founder of The Bubbles Review – Bubbly Blog, Events and Tours – for people who like champagne and other bubbles, written by people who have a love of all things sparkling! Natalie gives us her recommendations of champagne for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Which lower price range champagne(s) do you recommend for Christmas and NYE 2020 and why?
Piper Heidsieck’s Brut Non-Vintage (NV)
If you want to drink champagne like a celebrity for an affordable price, Piper Heidsieck is the go-to. One of the oldest champagne houses, with history dating back to 1777. The label boasts Queen Marie Antoinette, a lover of bubbles, as their first ‘brand ambassador’. From Chinese Emperors to European royalty, Heidsieck and Co (as it was first known), was given the privilege of a Royal Warrant from 14 royal and imperial courts.
In Hollywood, fans include classic celebrity names like Bogart, Gable, Astaire, and Marilyn Monroe famously declared in 1953: “I go to bed with a few drops of Chanel No. 5 and I wake up each morning to a glass of Piper-Heidsieck; it warms me up.” It’s still celebrated in style in modern day Hollywood, as the official champagne for the Oscars this year.
In Australia, we see brand recognition for Piper-Heidsieck NV as an entry level non-vintage cuvée. You’ll often see it on special with a price-based promotion, especially at Christmas time. The saying ‘you get what you pay for’ is usually true, you may think that the entry level pricing, indicates less quality. Not so in this case. The Chef de Cave (Chief Winemaker) at Piper has been awarded best winemaker eight times since 2002.
There’s freshness, fruitiness, acidity, and nice maturity. A blend of the main three Champagne grape varieties, with around Pinot Noir (50%), Meunier (30%), Chardonnay (20%), the blend has more than 100 different crus from vineyards across Champagne and has been aged for four years on lees. Which is much longer than most NVs. As a good Non-Vintage should provide, you get consistency, and quality, you know you’re drinking champagne with that toasty complexity, but it is still light and bright. Perfect for New Years Eve party drinking!
What would you pair with this champagne?
This can easily be served on its own, for a food match it is very versatile. It can work with fresh seafood, like oysters or lobster, or fish like salmon cooked in a creamy sauce. Because of the amount of red fruit in the blend, it can also pair with a range of dishes, like roast chicken, and lighter red meats. Appetisers like, charcuterie, smoked salmon blinis, and hard cheeses like shaved parmesan, or cheesy dishes or cheese tarts, will also work well.
For those with cash to splurge, which champagne(s) do you recommend for Christmas and NYE 2020 and why?
A few tips on choices here. For me, it depends on the party. If I’ve selected a top champagne or vintage, I would serve this in an intimate gathering. A few select people, select good glassware (no skinny flutes), take time to introduce the wine, so that people appreciate the wine and the tasting experience.
You could choose to try a vintage from a Champagne house of your favourite NV. A Vintage, reflects the year of the harvest, so it is a different expression in the glass.
Or you may choose a prestige name that you know of, and buy the best that you can for that label for the price. A quick check on Christmas specials, I see that Krug, is very good buying at around $275 and Dom Perignon at around $250. Krug at this price is a NV, known for highlighting a prestige multi vintage style, and Dom for producing vintage only. The Dom vintage available at most stores at the moment is probably still 2009 which is a great wine, if you see a 2008 at this price, snap it up! A very good year.
If you are having lots of people over, I would suggest that ‘bigger is better’! Instead of a vintage, go for a magnum of a NV champagne. Magnums are known to be the better size for producing quality champagne and we are now getting more and more brands selling champagne in magnums in Australia. They look impressive and will be a hit at your party.
What would you pair with these champagnes?
A vintage champagne can work well as food pairing with richer meals. The longer ageing, means more complexity in the glass. In saying that, I sometimes prefer to serve it on its own, or with small tastes, so that you can really appreciate the richness of the wine. Things like, truffles, mushrooms, chestnuts, can work with a richer wine. It does depend on the wine and the blend, sometimes they are still very bright and fresh. Depending on the vintage, the Dom Perignon sometimes displays a salty brininess that will work well with fresh oysters. Check the tasting notes with the bottle to help you decide.
The Champagne Dame & Founder of Emperor Champagne
Kyla Fitzpatrick is The Champagne Dame. She hosts most decadent champagne experiences, combining history, gastronomy and oenology. She is also the founder of champagne store, Emperor Champagne and more recently Fizztopia. Kyla gives us her recommendations of champagne for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Which lower price range champagne(s) do you recommend for Christmas and New 
Year’s Eve 2020? Why and what would you serve with them?
Charles Collin Extra Brut – just awarded by Gourmet Traveller – Chinese duck
Louis Roederer Brut Premier – A classic – white flesh fish
De Sousa Blanc de Blancs – 100% biodynamic producer from the Cote des Blancs (best terroir for Chardonnay) – seafood
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For those with cash to splurge, which champagne(s) do you recommend for 
Christmas and NYE 2020? Why and what would you serve with them?
Louis Roederer Cristal 2012 (100% biodynamic) – caviar
Dom Perignon Lenny Kravitz Rose 2006 – pigeon breast
Laurent-Perrier Rose Magnum – grilled prawns
Pol Roger White Foil Jeroboam – oysters
David Donald is a champagne expert. He was awarded Australian Professional Laureate – Vin de Champagne Awards 2006 and also the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne. He gives us his recommendations of champagnes for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
What are your recommendations of lower price range champagne for Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2020?
Champagne lovers are somewhat blessed as the cheapest place to purchase Champagne outside of France is Australia. The two supermarket chains use Champagne as a marketing tool to fight for market-share, so we are paying the same price or less than what we were 10-15 years ago.
Piper-Heidsieck Piper-Heidsieck is undervalued in this country and stupidly cheap for the quality. Most improved grand marque would have to be Veuve Clicquot which has been on a notable rise over the past decade
Why?
On an occasion like Christmas or New Year’s only Champagne will do
What would you pair with this champagne?
Breakfast – start the day with a smile!
For those with cash to splurge, which champagne(s) do you recommend for 
Christmas and NYE 2020?
Anything in magnum as a single bottle is never enough. I will be enjoying a magnum of the Dumenil Vintage 2008 which has just been released. A brilliant vintage and from a producer who excels at vintage releases. All fruit is sourced from premier cru vineyards and the chardonnay component (60%) is sourced from a single vineyard that was planted in 1969. Elegance and finesse yet possessing an underlying power and structure – gorgeous wine.
Why?
Champagne always tastes better from magnum!
What would you pair with this champagne?
Shellfish and crustaceans
Sara Underdown, is the Editor of Vine & Bubble, a boutique and independent magazine dedicated to telling the story of the wine behind the bubbles. Sara shares her champagne recommendations with us below.
What are your recommendations of lower price range champagne for Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2020?
Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut (typically priced around $50 – $60)
Why? Apples, pears and toast – what’s not to love? It’s a classically blended champagne dominated by pinot noir, followed by meunier and then chardonnay with up to 20% reserve wines. It’s consistently well-balanced, rich and vibrant. One of the best value NVs on the market.
What would you pair with this champagne? So versatile, but best when not over complicated. Perhaps a classic pairing with fruits de la mer prawns, oysters, crab and so on.
For those with cash to splurge, which champagne(s) do you recommend for Christmas and NYE 2020? I recently penned my suggestions for Delicious.com.au. They are at the higher end of the price scale. A few of those suggested are:
Bollinger Rosé NV RRP $150
Style – Rich and bright
Aromas of bright red fruit complex into orange and clove spice as well as toast and smoke, thanks to some impressive red wine added to the blend. The palate’s dazzling energy carries flavours of wild strawberries and cherries, but also the zing of grapefruit pith. As always with Bollinger, there’s depth, concentration and a subtle tannic structure. A fine and beautifully balanced non-vintage rosé Champagne.
Krug Grande Cuvée RRP $300
Style – Powerful and complex
Krug’s revered Grande Cuvée, a prestige non-vintage, corrals two hundred-or-so wines, from multiple vintages and vineyards and sits at the pinnacle of blending mastery. The recent 168ème Édition (based on the glorious 2012 vintage) waxes as it lingers a moment or two in the glass going from florals to primary red fruits, then dried fruits, honey and nuts. On the palate it’s powerful and full-bodied with a creamy richness, but also saline and fresh with incredible finesse. My personal favourite served on Christmas Eve in a quiet moment.
Champagne and French wine importers share their picks of champagne for Christmas and New Year’s Eve
Jonathan Hersey, Wine Buyer and Owner of The French Wine Centre, shares his champagne recommendations with us.
What are your recommendations of lower price range champagne for Christmas and New Year’s Eve?
JP Morel Carte Noir, arguably the best value Champagne in Australia for $49. A superb grower Champagne from Verzenay!
Why?
A superb grower Champagne from Verzenay. The grapes are grown and the wine is made all in their cellars. They have a minute vineyard and produce beautifully fine and detailed Champagne.
What would you pair with this champagne?
If you want to get a little crazy bone marrow toast, however during summer anything along the lines of oysters or utilising goats cheese or smoked salmon
For those with cash to splurge, which champagne(s) do you recommend for Christmas and NYE 2020?
Champagne Guiborat Prisme.14, it just received 96 points from The Wine Front. All the other wines in that zip code are $250 plus so for $93 we were pretty chuffed!
Why?
An incredibly fine, energetic Blanc de Blancs that drinks like a Grand Cru Chablis.
What would you pair with this champagne?
Fresh, fresh, fresh oyster with a little squeeze of finger lime and a crack of black pepper!
Daniel Airoldi of Airoldi Fine Wines shares his champagnes for Christmas and New Year’s Eve recommendations.
What are your recommendations of lower price range champagne for Christmas and New Year’s Eve?
The Non Vintage Blanc de Blancs from Le Brun de Neuville
Why? It’s an entry-level champagne but with 5 years of tirage before disgorgement, it has a complex aromatic palette with an enchanting freshness.
What would you eat with this champagne? Oysters with lemon juice.
For those with cash to splurge, which champagnes do you recommend for Christmas and New Year’s Eve?
Le Millésime 1995 de Le Brun de Neuville
Why? It’s a champagne fit for important occasions coming from a Champagne vintage of high quality. Very beautiful complexity coming from its age, and an exceptional drinkability.
What would you eat with this champagne?
Roast pork, turkey with chestnuts, or a dessert like an apple tarte tatin.
SPECIAL OFFER: As always, use the code “Marseillaise” for 20% off your orders at Airoldi Fine Wines.
Thomas Gisbert from Mosaïque Wines shares his recommendations.
Which lower budget champagnes do you recommend for Christmas and New Year’s Eve?
NV Champagne Vincent Couche ‘Elegance’
Why?
A very pretty grower champagne from la Cote des Bar. Vincent Couche is a true magician even with his entry-level cuvee Elegance. Great price/quality ratio, a mix of Pinot Noir on kimmeridgian limestone and chardonnay on chalk, partially vinified in barrels, a weak level of dosage, Extra-Brut 4 g/l, no filtration, no sulphur since 2016. Disgorged on 04/10/18. Vibrant and expressive, this biodynamic champagne will surely give you a beautiful experience.
SPECIAL OFFER: What’s more Mosaïque Wines is currently offering 6 bottles for $79 per bottle instead of $95 to forget about 2020 and celebrate the arrival of 2021!
https://www.mosaiquewines.com.au/product-page/6-pack-nv-champagne-vincent-couche-extra-brut-elegance
For those with cash to splurge, which champagne do you recommend for Christmas and New Year’s Eve?
2005 Champagne Vincent Couche ‘Millésime’
Why?
I suggest the 2004 Millésime vintage from Vincent Couche. This champagne comes from the magnificent 2004 vintage which will take you to complex and rich bubbles, with notes of apples, grilled almonds. Precise and elegant with a long and invigorating finish. 43% of the base wine is aged in barrels. Brut Nature. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged 01/2018. Only 5,000 bottles produced.
What would you eat with this champagne?
This champagne is very versatile for food pairing. I recommend a fish in sauce, lobster, a dish with truffles. For cheeses, you will indulge in a triple cream, a fresh goat’s cheese or even an old Comte or Gouda.
Popsy & JJ share their recommendations with us. You may also like to read our interview with them here
What are your recommendations of lower price range champagne for Christmas and New Year’s Eve?
Jaillance Brut NV for excellent but not crazy priced French fizz with finesse and style.
Why?
Very fine bead, aperitif style French fizz and very exquisitely made. Notes of Granny Smith apples and biscuit. Just gorgeous!
What would you pair with this champagne?
Oysters or pipis would be a perfect match.
For those with cash to splurge, which champagne(s) do you recommend for Christmas and NYE 2020?
Charles Mignon Prestige NV for the seriously up market artisan Champagne experience.
Why?
Superb 3rd generation artisan-produced fine Champagne. Has won over 150 awards in the last decade and competes with the finest Champagne houses in the land. Very much aperitif style, creamy with pink lady, lime and brioche notes.
What would you pair with this champagne?
Caviar or lobster would be a lovely pairing!
How about you? What’s your favourite champagne for Christmas and New Year’s Eve?
Other Christmas articles:
Where to find the Bûche de Noël in Australia in 2020
Celebrate Christmas at a French restaurant in Melbourne and Sydney
For more about Champagne:
20 Champagne facts to celebrate Champagne Day this week
Champagne quotes for what we’re calling champagne week!
