We all know that weddings can be a wonderful way to demonstrate your love for another person, with some ceremonies including delicious food, lavish decorations and formal attire to rival any high-end celebration.
These days, weddings can range from opulent affairs to small gatherings, but they all share the same purpose and celebrate love in its many forms. However, there is one thing that no wedding should be without and that is a decent supply of champagne.
Considered the beverage of choice among newly-wed couples, champagne has remained a popular wedding staple since the 18th century, where it was considered a symbol of wealth and luxury.
However, this does not mean that finding the best champagne for your special day is an easy task, as there are many factors that need to be considered before you can choose the best brand for your reception.
Of course, there are currently hundreds of champagne brands available for online purchase, with each one varying in taste, nose and bubbles. So to help aid you in your search, we have compiled a list of the best champagne for weddings currently available on the market.
These champagnes are fun, vibrant and bursting with flavour and promise to transform your special day into a night that everyone will remember.
We have also put together an informative buyer’s guide to help aid you in your search for the best wedding champagne, which will cover everything you need to know about the drink and its various qualities…
OUR TOP PICK
For the first entry on our list, we have chosen a classic brand from the Champagne region of France, where it has remained a popular choice since its creation in 1772.
Dominated by Pinot Noir, this yellow label champagne offers a perfect balance of structure and finesse, while delivering aromatic notes of vanilla and brioche.
Beyond this, the champagne also boasts gentle bubbles and a creamy texture, that pairs perfectly with lobster, salmon and a selection of fine cheeses.
If you have been searching for champagne that exudes elegance and sophistication, then there’s no better product for your special day than this delicious and fragrant French white.
Pros:
- Creamy Texture: Veuve Clicquot champagne is known for its light and creamy texture, which pairs well with seafood and cheese.
- Toasty Aromas: The champagne can be identified by its distinctive nose, which conveys notes of vanilla and brioche.
- Gentle Bubbles: Veuve Clicquot champagne sports gentle bubbles, making the character crisp and refreshing on the palate.
- Cheap Price: The champagne has remained a popular choice since 1772 and can currently be purchased for a reasonable price.
Cons:
- Weak Flavour: Unfortunately, Veuve Clicquot champagne can lose its distinctive flavour as it begins to age.
EDITORS CHOICE
The next champagne on our list comes from the vineyards of California, where it remains a popular choice for any wedding working with a tight budget.
Featuring a blend of white wine grapes, this champagne displays a simple and crisp character that is emboldened by the fruity flavours of lemon and green apple.
Perfect for mixing signature cocktails and refreshing mimosas, Andre Brut champagne is best served chilled and can be identified by its sparkling notes of pear and citrus.
So if you have been searching for a cost-effective alternative to designer brands, this delicious champagne can be purchased for a reasonable price and promises to keep your guests satisfied.
Pros:
- Fruity Character: Andre Brut champagne is known for its crisp and refreshing character, which contains fruity hints of apple and lemon.
- Sweet Nose: The champagne can be identified by its distinctive nose, which carries sweet notes of pear and citrus.
- Good Mixer: Andre Brut champagne is considered the ultimate sparkling wine for mixing cocktails and mimosas.
- Cheap Price: The champagne is known for its reasonable price, which makes it the ideal choice for a budget wedding.
Cons:
- Low Quality: Unfortunately, Andre Brut is a cheap champagne and may not meet the standards set for your special day.
BEST VALUE
If you have been searching for a wedding champagne that is both delicious and versatile, then look no further than Chandon Brut.
Born among the vineyards of Northern California, this soft and dry champagne has been made using a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, creating a sparkling wine known for its crisp and refreshing taste.
Perfect for topping up Ginger Mojitos and Lemongrass sparklers, this aromatic wine comes with a complex nose that combines undertones of lemon blossom, apple and citrus, resulting in a zesty beverage that all your guests can enjoy.
Beyond this, the champagne can also accompany a variety of diverse dishes, with its fruity flavour pairing beautifully with seafood and salads.
Pros:
- Refreshing Taste: Chandon Brut champagne is known for its sweet and refreshing taste, which combines both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.
- Complex Aroma: The champagne can be identified by its complex aroma, which features undertones of lemon blossom, apple and citrus.
- Versatile Wine: Chandon Brut is a versatile wine that can be used to make delicious cocktails and sparklers.
- Diverse Pairing: The champagne can be paired with a variety of diverse dishes, such as seafood, sushi and salad.
Cons:
- Overpowering: Unfortunately, some buyers have criticized the champagne for being too sweet and overpowering.
RUNNER UP
Produced among the rustic landscapes of California, this light and refined champagne is the perfect complement to any wedding and can be served as a celebratory toast or as a refreshing dinner drink.
Featuring a bright and lively nose, this distinctive wine is said to carry undertones of cinnamon and citrus, resulting in a delightful drink that is both warm and soothing on the tongue.
Made from a heady combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Chennin Blanc grapes, Korbel Brut contains a complex mixture of flavours, with the wine delivering hints of strawberry, vanilla and lime.
Capable of being paired with chicken, seafood and Asian cuisines, this wine is beloved for its eclectic nature and promises to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
Pros:
- Complex Flavour: Korbel Brut is known for its complex combination of flavours, which includes hints of strawberry, vanilla and lime.
- Bright Nose: The champagne can be identified by its bright and lively nose, which boasts undertones and cinnamon and citrus.
- Pairing Wine: Korbel Brut is a diverse wine that can be paired with a range of dishes, such as chicken, seafood and Asian cuisine.
- Heady Blend: The champagne features a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Chennin Blanc grapes, creating a heady and floral character.
Cons:
- Budget Brand: Unfortunately, Korbel Brut is considered a budget champagne, which means it may not deliver a high-end tasting experience.
RUNNER UP
We understand that not every wedding is an excuse to consume copious amounts of alcohol, so if you are planning a dry reception, we recommend taking a look at this final product.
Unlike the previous champagnes on our list, Chateau De Fleur is a non-alcoholic product that tastes like the real thing, with the wine itself being produced by Weibel Vineyards in Northern California.
Bursting with a sweet and refreshing taste, this non-alcoholic beverage carries intoxicating notes of apple and fresh peach, resulting in a fruity drink that can be paired with chicken, seafood and cheese.
Beyond this, the sparkling wine can be used to make a variety of cocktails and features a gentle fizz that will dance on your taste buds.
Pros:
- Fruity Palate: Château De Fleur champagne is known for its crisp and fruity palate, which features notes of apple and fresh peach.
- Tasty Mixer: The non-alcoholic champagne can be used to make a variety of different drinks, cocktails and fizzers.
- Gentle Fizz: Chateau De Fleur is a tasty wine that comes with a gentle fizz that will dance on your taste buds.
- Affordable Price: The non-alcoholic champagne can currently be purchased for a cheap and affordable price.
Cons:
- Non-Alcoholic: Of course, Château De Fleur is a non-alcoholic champagne, which means there is no guarantee that it will satisfy your wedding guests.
Best Champagne For Weddings Buying Guide
The notion of buying a bottle of champagne may seem like a simple task, as every champagne is made using similar ingredients and methods. However, there are some certain elements that should be taken into consideration before purchasing your wedding champagne. Elements that help to assure that the champagne meets your expectations and standards.
In the section below, we have outlined some key points that should be kept in mind when it comes to purchasing your wedding champagne. By consulting these points, you will be able to select the perfect champagne for your special day, saving you both time and money.
Appearance
When it comes to choosing your wedding champagne, the first thing you need to do is consider the champagne’s overall appearance, as this is a key factor that often determines the wine’s quality and depth. And like it or not, the same principle applies when sampling different champagnes.
While appearance isn’t everything, it can make for a good or bad first impression, especially when taking into account how the champagne appears after it has been poured into a glass. One of the key components that need to be evaluated is the colour of the champagne, as this will help to define both its production and complexity.
Although the colour of a good champagne will often vary depending on how it was made, the most common hue will usually range between pale gold and a light yellow. However, it is also possible to come across champagnes that are pink or red, which usually means they have been treated with food colouring and should be avoided at all costs.
So before tasting the champagne, take a moment to examine the colour and transparency of the liquid. If the champagne is cloudy in your glass, then this could indicate that it will fall short in terms of taste and aroma, which could result in an underwhelming tasting experience.
Nose
We understand that smelling sparkling wine may seem like a strange idea, but it is an effective way to determine the champagne’s overall quality and production. Once the champagne has been poured, we recommend taking a moment to engage with the aroma, which should be present the moment the cork has been popped.
Traditionally, champagnes will often contain undertones of fruits and minerals, with a truly spectacular blend featuring hints of freshly-baked bread and even wet limestone. However, the nose will often vary between different brands, with many presenting notes of apples, spices and pears. So if you encounter a brand that sports these aromas, then it will most likely be an ideal beverage for your special day.
But, of course, there are also champagnes with bad aromas, which usually fall into the more sweet and floral side of the equation. So if you come across a champagne that smells rich and syrupy, then we recommend avoiding it and trying another brand with a more traditional and spicy nose.
Mouthfeel
Beyond its appearance and nose, one of the most important things you need to consider is the champagne’s mouthfeel, or how the champagne feels after you have swilled it around your mouth.
Although many people do not often consider the overall texture of the wine, it should be seen as a pivotal part of the tasting process, as it can allow you to experience the champagne to its fullest potential.
When searching for the best champagne for your wedding, you will want a brand that feels creamy and mellow in your mouth, instead of a wine that delivers a more abrasive and dominant feel.
And although the best champagne should be crisp, you don’t want the bubbles to hurt your throat, which is why a gentle fizz is often favoured among wedding guests, as it is easier and more enjoyable to consume.
It is also important to remember that regardless of how the champagne tastes, you will not enjoy the overall experience if the wine is too gassy or hard on the palate.
Flavour
After you have finished evaluating the other factors we have discussed, the last thing you will need to consider is the taste of the champagne itself.
As a sparkling wine, the flavour of champagne often depends on the amount of residual sugar left inside the liquid, with a low sugar level producing what is known as a dry or ‘brut’ champagne.
When champagne contains a higher sugar level, it will often be defined as an extra-dry or ‘sec’ wine, which means it will commonly contain a sugar content of 1-2%. In terms of flavour, a dry or brut champagne will display a bready taste, with hints of apple and melon emboldening the overall flavour.
While on the other hand, champagne that falls into the sweeter category will usually taste more fruity and syrupy in its flavour, which means it can be paired with a variety of cakes and other desserts. So while most people prefer to drink dry champagne at weddings, there is no shame in serving a sweet wine to accompany your final course.
Price - Does It Matter?
These days, there are many champagne brands available that don’t cost an extortionate amount of money, which means there are plenty of cheap options when it comes to planning your wedding.
However, spending more money can make a difference in terms of the wine’s overall quality, as more expensive champagnes will usually be the result of tender love and care. So if you are looking for a delicious bottle of champagne, we don’t recommend spending anything less than $40 when it comes to overall quality.
However, if you are working with a budget and can’t afford even a cheap champagne, then there are plenty of sparkling wine alternatives that you can choose from, such as a classic Rose or even a bubbly Prosecco.
So when it comes to searching for your perfect wedding champagne, don’t be afraid to experiment and taste things, otherwise, you may end up with a wine that becomes the only downside of your special day. Just have a little patience and we promise you will be able to find a sparkling wine that meets your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Least Sweet Champagne?
If you are not a fan of syrupy wines, then you will need to purchase a dry or brut champagne to satisfy your palate. Unlike other champagnes, brut contains the least amount of residual sugar, which means they are more bitter and raw on the tongue.
Traditionally speaking, brut champagnes are actually the most common on the market, as they can be paired with various dishes without overpowering the taste of the food.
What Is The Best Value Champagne?
Although there are many cost-effective champagnes currently available, you need to make sure that you are not purchasing a brand that is below the recommended price.
Otherwise, you could find yourself with a cheap formula that offers nothing in terms of taste and aroma. However, some notable best value champagnes include: Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec, Graham Beck Bliss Demi Sec and Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial Rose.
