Say ‘Au Revoir’ to 2025 with These Highly-Rated Bottles of Champagne
Why do people drink Champagne on New Year’s Eve?
Sparklers have been used to celebrate special occasions since all the way back to the French Revolution, when secular celebrations began to replace earlier religious rituals, according Kolleen Guy, a professor of history at Duke Kunshan University and author of When Champagne Became French.
“In a secular society, we want to mark both the joy and sanctity of the occasion,” Guy told Life’s Little Mysteries. “Champagne does this symbolically, but also visually, since it overflows in abundance and joy.”
Prosperity, happiness, luxury: these are the things we tend to seek in every new beginning.
“Apart from celebrating a fresh start, I love the sheer complexity you get from its required aging and how producers are giving such care to add more aging time [than the mandatory minimum of 15 months] in bottle to make sure it’s a perfect expression in your glass every time,” says Wine Enthusiast Tasting Director Anna-Christina Cabrales. “Few things have that level of depth and complexity.”
Though it’s hard to go wrong with any bottle of actual Champagne, there’s a lot of pressure (pun intended) that comes with choosing the right one to kick off the new year. From nonvintage Champagne for every budget to splurge-worthy bottles that belong in your cellar, there is a ton of variety out there.
So, what Champagne is best for New Year’s Eve, specifically?
It depends on what you like and—probably more importantly—how much you want to spend. “There’s a more affordable side, but it can get lavish really quickly,” says Cabrales.
Whether you’re looking to go all out with a bougie bottle paired with caviar, a budget-friendly selection to share with a crowd, or a specific style (like a lush rosé or bracing brut nature) to explore, we’ve got you covered with a wide range of highly-rated Champagnes at an array of price points and flavor profiles.
Best Brut
Gosset 2012 Celebris Brut (Champagne)
A seriously mature Champagne, this vintage of Celebris is rich with fruit that has now softened. With rich acidity, the wine has now rounded with a beautifully textured wine that is very ready to drink. Cellar Selection. 96 Points — Roger Voss
$260
Wine.com
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. Editors’ Choice. 93 Points — R.V.
$85
Wine.com
Best Affordable (Under $40)
Baron-Fuenté NV Quinconce Brut Nature (Champagne)
This Champagne is too young at the moment for its dryness with a zero dosage. But when it does soften and open, it will become a fruity wine with almond and white fruit flavors. Drink this bottling from late 2025. 90 Points — R.V.
$40
K&L Wines
Bernard Lonclas NV Grand Brut Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay (Champagne)
The producer, based in the southeast of Champagne, has a fine, soft, toasty wine. Its acidity is muted by the texture and the ripe fruit. Drink this rich wine now. 92 Points — R.V.
$36
Applejack Wine & Spirits
Best Splurge
Billecart-Salmon 2009 Le Clos Saint Hilaire Pinot Noir (Champagne)
A toast and old gold aroma, marks this single-vineyard Champagne’s impressive age. It is certainly not old, rich with toast and spice with an intense and gorgeous concentration of flavors. It is a magnificent wine, its balance impeccable and perfect to drink now. Editors’ Choice. 99 Points — R.V.
$660
Wine.com
Rare 2012 Rare Millésime Brut Champagne Blend (Champagne)
With Chardonnay dominant in the blend, this is a stylish, impressive Champagne. With its white flower aroma and poise between white fruits and maturity, it is ready to drink. Editors’ Choice. 95 Points — R.V.
$ 280
Flatiron Wines & Spirits
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Best Brut Nature
Canard-Duchêne 2012 Cuvée V Vintage Brut Nature (Champagne)
$110
Wine.com
Champagne Collard-Picard 2012 Essentiel Brut Nature Champagne Blend (Champagne)
$200
Tribeca Wine Merchants
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Best Rosé
Charles Mignon NV Comte de Marne Grand Cru Rosé Brut Champagne Blend (Champagne)
$53
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin 2015 La Grande Dame Brut Rosé (Champagne)
The rosé version of this iconic brand has a strawberry aroma and a toasty flavor from its maturity and its balanced dosage. It is a rich Champagne, textured and with soft acidity. Drink the wine now. Cellar Selection. 94 Points — R.V.
$320
Flatiron Wines
Best Vintage
Champagne Thiénot 2008 Cuvée Stanislas Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Chardonnay (Champagne)
$855
Saratoga Wine
Champagne Barons de Rothschild 2018 Triptyque Chardonnay-Pinot Noir (Champagne)
$125
Empire State of Wine
More Champagne Coverage
- For a splurgey celebration, look no further than vintage Champagne.
- What is “brut” Champagne, anyway?
- The difference between multi-vintage and nonvintage Champagnes.
- From Christmas to congratulations, give the gift of Champagne.
- Pretty in pink: the best rosé Champagnes at every price point.

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