Written by Helena Nicklin
There is only one place in the world that makes what can officially be called ‘Champagne’ and that’s the region of the same name just south of Paris in France. Literally everything else is sparkling wine, no matter how good it is. Reassuringly expensive, Champagne is complicated to make and takes a long time to blend and age (even the cheaper bottles must be aged for 15 months before release). It’s also a pretty small wine region and yet the whole world wants to drink its bubbles. Non Vintage (NV) Champagne tends to start around the £20 mark and go all the way up, so to find anything under that is pretty hard, especially if you want it to be drinkable. For the same money, you can get some cracking bubbles from other wine regions but sometimes, you need the magic word ‘Champagne’ on the bottle.
Luckily for you, we’ve done the hard work. Here are 8 Champagnes for £15 and under that are surprisingly pretty for the pennies.
Veuve Monsigny Brut NV: Aldi
The biscuity one: Jilly Goolden raved about this Champagne recently and with good reason! Made with all three Champagne grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and blended with older wines for layers of biscuity flavour, these brilliant bubbles are constantly impressing wine experts. For the money, this is easily the best NV Champers on the market. 10/10
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Find here: £12.99
Louis Delaunay Brut NV: Tesco
The crowd-pleaser: A bronze medal winner from top wine competition IWSC, this is soft and easy-drinking, with a tang of red apple on the nose and baked apple pie on the palate. Dry but well balanced, so no screeching acidity to give you heartburn. Great for sipping alone. 8.5/10
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £14
Andre Carpentier Brut NV: Tesco
The sharper one: If you like your bubbles a little more tart, this one is leaner and drier than some with an appley tang. Pretty, warm spice and vanilla notes add richness to the flavour without adding sweetness, which keep it in balance. A good food wine. Try it with paté and cold cuts. 7.5/10
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £14
Henri Cachet Brut NV: Asda
The subtle one: Crisp and pure, there’s a lemon sherbert note to Asda’s Henri. Fairly simple on the nose and palate, it’s well-balanced fizz that’s dry and refreshing. Inoffensive in the most positive sense, where many others at this price can make you grab the Rennie. A good one for white fish and seafood. 7/10
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: Usually, £13.50 but on offer for £9.97 right now!
Comte de Senneval, Brut NV: Lidl
The savoury one: Not your classic Champagne flavour profile this, with notes of smoky toffee, caramel and an elderflower on the finish. It also has a wine-like weight and hint of sweetness that may split the judges. A bit quirky and of-a-style, but try it with smoked salmon and it should make a happy match. 6/10
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £12.99
Nicolas de Mont Bart, Brut NV, £10.99, Aldi
The one for Prosecco lovers: You really should not be able to buy Champagne this cheaply anywhere, so it may well be a parcel that may disappear soon. Bone dry with citrusy freshness, crisp and frothy, there’s not a whole lot of flavour going on, but it’s certainly gluggable. As Aldi say themselves, this is your aperitif wine. 6/10
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: Usually, £10.99 but currently on offer for £9.95
If you are looking for more champagne choices then check out: From Budget to Blow-out: 7 Outstanding Champagnes!