The Best Champagne to Give

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When it comes to gifting wine, few regions or styles can live up to Champagne.

More than a millennia before the esteemed French region gave birth to bubbles in the 17th century, the wines of Champagne were served to honor the coronation of kings. To this day, all across the world, these famous bottles are still opened or gifted to usher in important life events, from births and birthdays to weddings, anniversaries and more.

“Everything about Champagne says celebration, which can be big or small—even just an everyday celebration for getting through the day,” says Wine Enthusiast Tasting Director and resident Champagne sage Anna-Christina Cabrales.

From carefully removing the muselet (cage) and slowly removing the cork, there’s a special suspense that starts building the moment these special bottles get pulled out of the fridge or ice bucket.

“There’s something a little dangerous and there are more things to pull and twist and rip off of that adds to that vibe,” says Cabrales. “That pressure one feels under your thumb when opening a bottle, it’s exciting—you don’t get that from still wine. That moment, in itself, like no one got hurt while opening it, it’s like, hey, let’s celebrate.”

Though Cabrales is a fan of celebrating “getting through the day” by popping a bottle of bubbles, we decided to task her with picking out the best Champagne to give for a wide range of special occasions. Whether you’re looking for a birthday gift, an engagement present of the best Champagne to give this Christmas, check out her picks below.

Weddings: Vintage Champagne From a Special Year

Theoretically, a wedding is a once in a lifetime event that deserves to be marked with thought and reverence—just like vintage Champagne. “If you’re able to find a vintage Champagne that honors when they met or a special year for them, that could be really cute,” says Cabrales.

Birthdays: Limited or Terroir-Driven Bottles

For someone really special, Cabrales loves the idea of finding a vintage bottle from the person’s birth year. Admittedly, depending on the age of your friends, that could get really expensive. So, a nice alternative, she says, is to hunt down “a special bottle for them, something limited or terroir-driven.”

Alfred Gratien 1999 Memory Brut (Champagne)

An impressive Champagne, this still-fruity wine is ready at just the right moment. Aged in bottle for over 20 years, the wine is still powerful, concentrated and with great balance. In 1999, a complete solar eclipse passed during veraison of this vintage. Drink the wine now with a strong sense of history. 95 Points — R.V.

$ Varies
Wine.com

Congratulations: Magnum

“Accomplishments are big things,” says Cabrales. “Big things deserve big bottles.” Magnums are twice the size of your standard 750 ml bottle and contain around 10 glasses of wine. Collectors love them for cellaring age-worthy wines and they are sure to impress party guests.

Thank You: Rosé Champagne

Rosé Champagne not only looks beautiful and feels especially celebratory, but they also represent just a small slice of what’s produced in the region. This is why Cabrales says these pink-hued bottles are a good Champagne for a gift when you want to show gratitude: “When someone does something nice for you, it’s a rare thing and so you want to celebrate that with something just as special.”

Pol Roger 2018 Rosé Brut (Champagne)

There is still some youth in this Champagne. Its red fruits and balancing acidity and texture are finely poised, the wine showing its good percentage of Pinot Noir in the blend. It is already rich and will gradually move into greater maturity. Drink now for freshness or wait until at least 2026 for maturity. 94 Points — R.V.

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Wine.com

Engagements: Tête de Cuvées

These limited-edition, collectible bottles are produced in small numbers in those already relatively rare, celebrated “vintage years” in the region. They’re the kind of wines people hold onto and crack open to mark noteworthy moments. “A tête de cuvée is something they can save for a honeymoon or anniversary as a part of the celebration,” says Cabrales.

Pol Roger 2015 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Brut (Champagne)

There is a wonderful biscuity aroma to this Pinot Noir-dominated Champagne. Named after the British war-time prime minister and an avid consumer of Champagne, the wine is mature, full of ripe yeasty flavors and concentration. The wine, from a great vintage, is at a perfect stage and ready to be drunk. But the wine will also age for many years, certainly until 2030. 99 Points — R.V.

$ Varies
Wine.com

Louis Roederer 2016 Cristal Brut (Champagne)

This iconic Champagne, first made in the 19th century for the Tsar of Russia, shows its typical stunning balance and poise between richness and concentration. It has a pure white fruit and honeysuckle aroma and tight, tangy fresh fruit flavors. Just ready to drink, the wine will age well, for at least 20 years. Organic. Cellar Selection. 98 Points — R.V.

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Morrell Wine

Christmas: Blanc de Blanc

Though many famous Champagnes offer special Christmas packaging, Cabrales thinks the holiday is best celebrated by honoring the season with a bottle of blanc de blanc. “Just as the weather is crisp, I’m going to match that with what’s in the glass, something brisk and clean that feels almost like what you wish snow would taste like,” she says.

Mother’s Day: Champagne Made by a Female Winemaker

Feminine-feeling rosé Champagne may feel like the obvious pick for Mother’s Day. But is there a better way to honor Mom than by supporting a female winemaker? Not really. “You’ve got to celebrate women and all their contributions to Champagne,” says Cabrales.

Champagne in a Gift Box: Something in Eco-Friendly Packaging

It may be nice to do away with wrapping paper, but many of the gift boxes designed by Champagne houses boast a large carbon footprint. This is why Cabrales recommends seeking out eco-friendly packaging: “I’m not a fan of the box just for environmental purposes but if I’m going to get one, let’s at least be conscientious and make sure it’s eco friendly,” she says.

Luxury Champagne to Give: Prestige Cuvées

Again, it’s hard to find bottles that are more special or luxurious than the prestige or tête de cuvées—the top wines—released by Champagne houses. “Head in that direction,” says Cabrales, when you’re looking to lean into opulence.

Champagne Under $40 to Give: Whatever You Can Find

“Champagne does come at a cost but it’s totally worth it,” says Cabrales. “If you can find something under $40 go for it.”

Non-Alcoholic Champagne to Give: Jukes

Cabrales says, “it’s illegal” to make NA Champagne, because the region is so stringent about protecting its namesake wines. However, these sparkling non-alcoholic organic apple cider vinegar drink blends are the closest one can get—especially given that the brand has partnered with Champagne Billecart-Salmon.

Jukes Tasting Box

This assortment of flavorful apple cider-vinegar based drinks from Jukes includes sparkling versions of their herbal, citrusy white, fruity dark red and juicy rosé, all served in 8.5-ounce cans. It’s not Champagne, but it’s a tasty alternative for those who don’t drink.

$75
Jukes

Dry Champagne to Give: Brut Nature

Of all the sweetness levels in Champagne, the ones that fall into this category are the driest. There is absolutely no sugar added in the dosage process. “If you want to go completely dry, look for zero of brut nature on the label,” says Cabrales.

Sweet Champagne to Give: Demi-Sec

While most Champagne drinkers have been increasingly gravitating toward drier and drier styles, the sweeter versions are “an area I would love people to explore more,” says Cabrales. These wines make for excellent pairing partners for desserts and rich, umami-laden dishes, which is why they’re becoming more and more popular in places like Korea and Japan. “They’re quite fun, if you don’t mind the sugar,” she says. “It’s an unreal experience once you pair it with the right foods.”