The 16 Best Champagne Brands for Celebrating Life's Special Moments, Big and Small

The stunning champagne house has been producing the iconic French bubbly since 1811. The brand's vineyards were awarded France's top environmental certification, HVE, for their biodiversity and ecological standards in 2016 and boasts some of the best vineyards in the region. While the brand is most famous for its exquisite Belle Epoque collection, the elegant Blanc De Blancs is a must-try for long-time devotees of Perrier-Jouët.

This French Champagne house has been producing exceptional bubbly since the 16th century. The storied brand has certainly mastered its craft, as its 2010 Extra Brut Clos des Goisses received a perfect 100 rating from Wine Enthusiast. Naturally, this bottle is difficult to get your hands on, but if you're lucky enough to snag one for a special gathering, pair it with other strong flavors such as roasted chicken with morel mushrooms in a cream sauce.

Dom Pérignon has been producing exceptional Champagne for socialites and starlets alike since the 1920s and continues to be one of the best in the world to this day. Its 2002 vintage received a 99 rating by Decanter, which called it "Gustav Klimt in a glass." It's full of exotic aromas and sensual notes, making it an excellent pairing with daring choices: gamey meats and creamy desserts with intense flavors, like Meyer lemon. The 2010 vintage is also a renowned bottle if you're looking for something that's half the price.

The smallest of the 24 Grande Marques Champagne houses (meaning it possesses a global brand awareness, impeccable reputation, and deep customer loyalty), Charles Heidsieck produces some of the region's best offerings. Founded in 1851, the historic brand produces an immaculate Blanc des Millénaires with only four previous vintages to this 2004 offering, and there is now a 2006 vintage available. This bottle received a 98 rating from Wine Enthusiast and pairs excellently with shellfish and oysters, grilled whole fish, Moroccan chicken couscous, and an apple tart with vanilla cream.

Piper-Heidsiek is one of the Heidsieck family's other champagne labels and is also worth checking out. Don't miss on trying the 2006 Brut Vintage Rare!

Louis Roederer was founded in 1776, and so long as America has celebrated its independence, this legendary brand has been producing some of the region's best bubbly. Tsar Alexander II made it a mainstay of his lavish parties in the late 19th century!

No year was more pivotal for the brand than 2012, and its Cristal Brut from that year is truly special. It received a 98 rating from James Suckling, Vinous/Antonio Galloni, and Wine Enthusiast for its exotic, fruit-forward elegance. It is also the brand's first 100% biodynamic Cristal—a major milestone for the varietal. Pair it with rich meats in a butter or cream-based sauce for a celebration to remember.

This Champagne house has been bottling world-renowned bubbly since 1843 and still produces some of the best more than 150 years later. Take the 2006 Brut, for example. This bottle received a 97 rating from The Wine Advocate, Decanter, and Wine Spectator for its richly fragrant aroma and opulence. Try this with dishes full of character such as ratatouille, roasted leg of lamb, foie gras, a flavorful fish, or a tajine with a citrusy confit.

Founded in 1743, Moët & Chandon is one of the most famous and popular Champagne brands in the world as it is the co-owner of  LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE. The brand's highest-rated bottle professionally is the beautiful Grand Vintage 2012, its 74th Grand Vintage. Rated 95 by Tasting Panel, this sweet yet crisp bubbly is an excellent pairing for sweet spices, firm shellfish, and white meats that have been braised or simmered. 

Veuve Clicquot is rated the #1 best-selling and top trending Champagne brand of 2021 by Drinks International and has a long-standing history of producing some of the world's most beloved bubbly. While its classic Yellow Label Brut is the most popular option, we think the 2008 La Grande Dame is worth saving for a romantic date night-in. Rated 97 by Decanter, this bottle pairs exceptionally well with oysters, fish, tartare, and chicken enhanced with sesame flavors.

Pommery is a historic Champagne house that dates back to the mid-19th century and has committed to 100% sustainable and organic viticulture. Scoring a 97 rating from James Suckling, this berry-forward wine pairs swimmingly with foie gras, fish in sauce, grilled a la plancha, or salmon roe. 

Laurent-Perrier was founded in 1812 and has been balancing innovation and timelessness ever since. The Champagne house is famous for its Grand Siècle No. 24, for which it has received a 97 rating from James Suckling. The brand recommends pairing this bottle with high-quality produce and "refined dishes," like noble fish, crustaceans, and "surf and turf" combinations.

Bollinger's roots date back to 1829 and the Champagne house produces an array of unique sparkling wines. The one that most catches our eye is the collection-worthy La Grande Année 2012, which received a 97 rating from Wine Spectator. This expressive wine pairs well with scallops, grilled oysters, and hen of the woods mushrooms with truffle potato emulsion.

The Tattinger family has been producing spectacular Champagne since the early 18th century and the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is a perfect example of the Champagne house's rich history. Named after the legendary Count of Champagne, Thibaud IV, this bottle has become a legend in itself, referenced by Ian Fleming's James Bond in Casino Royale as "not well-known, but it is the best champagne in the world." Rated 96 by James Suckling and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, you'll want to pair this 2006 beauty with pork, rich fish, shellfish, or mild and soft cheeses.

Armand de Brignac is best known for its unique "Ace of Spades" logo and opaque, metallic bottles that house its bubbly nectar. Its Brut Gold remains its most iconic of offerings, using Old-World traditions in a sleek, modern vessel. Rated 95 by Decanter, this stone fruit and berry-forward cuvée is a great choice for an aperitif and pairs well with seared scallops, fresh-water fish, and roasted quail.

While based in the iconic wine region in Trentino, Italy rather than Champagne, Giulio Ferrari is certainly worth having on your radar for idyllic bubbles. This award-winning sparkling wine house has been around for nearly 120 years and produces some spectacular vintages, like the Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2007 that boasts a 98 rating from Decanter. Pair it with vegetarian Italian favorites, like a salty, mozzarella side dish or a Mediterranean fish soup.

Nyetimber has been around for only 30 years but has quickly made a name for itself in its aim to produce the finest English sparkling wine. The award-winning Classic Cuvée is an excellent introduction to the brand, with a 93 rating from Wine Enthusiast. Pair this extra-dry yet elegant bottle with smoked salmon, oysters, scallops, asparagus, or sushi for the ultimate complement.

Schramsberg is Napa Valley's answer to Brut Champagne, and has been producing some of the best for more than 50 years. The Reserve Brut 2011 received a 95 rating from Connoisseurs' Guide and Wine Spectator for its well-aged sophistication. Pair this 2011 Reserve Brut with your main course or as an aperitif as it pairs well with oysters and hard cheeses as well as pork tenderloin and cedar-plank grilled salmon.