Great Champagne Doesn’t Need to Cost More Than $100

Top-tier Champagne can regularly reach into the hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. When money is no object, finding a great bottle is a cinch. But if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, it’s typically more of a challenge. Not so today. It’s an excellent time for high quality sparklers from the famed French region.

“With production standards at their peak, it’s easier than ever to find exceptional Champagne at a price that doesn’t break the bank,” says Wine Enthusiast Tasting Director Anna-Christina Cabrales. “If you spot a gem under $100, don’t hesitate—pop it, pour it and celebrate life’s little moments in sparkling style.”

And considering Champagne has arrived in its wherever, whenever era—as a weeknight treat, a complement to fried foods and a drink for more casual settings—this is excellent news.

“My fridge is stocked with refined cuvées like Roederer and gastronomically-friendly options like Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel, with its soft perlage and savory notes,” Cabrales says. “Now’s the time to explore and stock up.”

To help you build up your Champagne stash, we rounded up our favorite bottles under $100 below, from bruts to blanc de noirs and Grand Cru offerings.

Renard-Barnier NV Cuvée Spéciale Brut (Champagne)

This is a rich style of Champagne from the Côte de Sézanne, south of Epernay. It is lightly textured with ripe fruits and balancing acidity with a fine line in vivid apple flavors. Drink now. 89 points. — Roger Voss

$35
Mr. D Wines

De Saint Gall NV Le Tradition (Champagne)

A high 66% of aged reserve wine give this Champagne a sense of maturity. Almond and toast aromas are lifted by citrus flavors. The blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is satisfyingly ripe with rich fruits, shot through with acidity. This wine is ready to drink. 88 points. — R.V.

$44
Total Wine

Fernand Lemaire NV Grande Réserve Extra Brut (Champagne)

From Hautvillers, one of the classic villages of Champagne, the wine is dry but packed with fruit. It is balanced, rich with white fruits, streaked with citrus. The light mousse fits well into this wine. Drink now. 91 points. Editor’s Choice.— R.V.

$45
Party Source

JCB XX Brut (Champagne)

This blend of the three major varieties of Champagne is an exhilarating wine. Floral and ripe, it has a fine touch of toast and bottle age, giving richness as well as pure white fruits. Drink now. 93 points. — R.V.

$55
JCB

Charles Coquet Dandy Grand Cru (Champagne)

Based on the 2020 vintage with older wines going back to 2015, this Champagne is an elegant success. It has a mature white-fruit aroma and an aromatic richness and touches of almonds. Drink this fine wine now. 93 points. — R.V.

$63
Total Wine

Piper-Heidsieck NV Essentiel Blanc de Noirs Brut (Champagne)

A blend of Pinot Noir and Meunier, this Champagne has an enticing white fruit aroma and lightly spicy flavor. It is a tangy wine, textured with layers of acidity and citrus flavors. Drink now. 91 points. — R.V.

$67
The Whiskey Exchange

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Louis Roederer NV Collection 245 (Champagne)

This is the 245th blend of Roederer’s non-vintage Champagne. It is a fine wine, highlighting the blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, bringing in reserve wines to give richness and balance. It is fresh, beginning to show signs of maturity, with an apple aroma and a ripe palate. Drink now. — R.V.

$70
Millesima

Pommery NV Blanc de Blancs Apanage Brut Chardonnay (Champagne)

Full and ripe, while also textured, this is a rich wine. Its Chardonnay character shows with the taut edge of acidity and nervy aftertaste. Drink now. 91 points. — R.V.

$70
Millesima

Deutz 2016 Brut (Champagne)

With fine maturity, this Champagne and its toasty aroma is in a ripe style with tangy white fruits and a yeasty flavor. Drink this well balanced, fine wine now. 93 points. — R.V.

$85
Wine.com

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Soutiran Brut Nature Grand Cru (Champagne)

The Champagne is based on the 2015 vintage with additions of 2012 and 2014 wines. That gives it a fine mature character, with toast and spice aromas. A finely textured blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Grand Cru vineyards, the wine—still dry—is ready to drink. 92 points. — R.V.

$85
Roma Wine & Liquors

Jean Josselin 2019 Les Blancs Brut (Champagne)

This textured Champagne has citrus and floral aromas with a mineral and tangy edge. Made of 100% Chardonnay, it is crisp and tight with aging potential. Drink from 2026. 92 points. — R.V.

$90
Town Wine

Perrier Jouët NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Chardonnay (Champagne)

This Champagne is in the rich Perrier Jouët style. That means a crushed cookie aroma and ripe white fruits with a light texture. Taut minerality is balanced by apple pie flavors. The wine is ripe and ready to drink. 90 points. — R.V.

$99.99
Wine.com