My Favorite Champagnes Under $50
It's difficult—if not nearly impossible—to put the words "affordable" and "Champagne" next to each other in a sentence. Due to its northern climate, global brand recognition, and complex production method, Champagne's famous wines are commonly considered among the most expensive. Even loose definitions of "affordable" have to perform circus-worthy stretches to include its $44/bottle average retail price.
The thing is, if you're like me, you've got your heart set on Champagne despite the price tags! So, let's make your Champagne purchases as painless as possible. I've done the searching and the sipping to bring you my favorites under $50. These might not be affordable for everyday, but they are affordable for Champagne.
10 Champagnes Under $50
Étienne Calsac L'échappée Belle Extra Brut, $45 from Verve Wine
With only 2g/L dosage, this 100% Chardonnay from Côte des Blancs is perfect for those who like their Champagne incredibly dry. Its delicate yeast notes are perfect for hard-to-pair dishes like eggs Benedict, garlic asparagus, or tomato and avocado salad.
Dhondt-Grellet Dans un Premier Temps Brut, $45 from Verve Wine
A few years ago I served this alongside crudité before Thanksgiving dinner. It was a huge hit, and has been been a favorite of mine since! Made of 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 20% Pinot Meunier, this creamy Champagne is incredibly versatile. Try it with anything from a spring salad with creamy dressing to a turkey burger and fries!
Michel Loriot Apollonis Authentique Meunier Blanc de Noirs, $42 from Astor Wines
This is the only 100% Pinot Meunier bottle on this list, but it does make me wonder why don't see more like it! With notes of red apples, tart cranberries, baking spices, and dry clay, you'll want to pair this one with something more hardy and earthy, like mushroom en croûte, stuffed butternut squash, or smothered pork chops.
Michel Loriot Apollonis Theodorine Brut Rosé, $45 from Astor Wines
With 9g/L dosage, this is creeping toward the top of brut and flirting with extra dry. I know a little dosage scares people these days, but please trust me here! I personally like fruity, strawberry-forward bubbly rosé like this with heavy hors d'oeuvres, like baked brie with fig jam, salmon rillettes, or pigs in a blanket.
Liébart-Régnier Brut, $45 from Astor Wines
While it does have a bit of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier is the star of the show in this bottle. Wherever there's Meunier, there's earth and spice! A Champagne like this should be a go-to for the dinner table. Think you can't pair steak with champs? Try a savory one like this! For you non-meat eaters, go for swordfish or roasted eggplant.
Liébart-Régnier Brut Rosé, $45 from Astor Wines
Another Meunier-dominate blend! I think I have a type... I celebrated my last birthday with this Champagne and didn't pair it with anything, besides more Champagne. When I open my next bottle, it will be alongside something fried and crispy! Bold sparkling rosé is heavenly with French fries, rolled potato tacos, or fried fish.
Marie Demets Cuvée Rubis Rosé, $35 from Fass Selections
While all Champagne is fantastic with a range of cheeses, this is my top choice to pair with a cheese board. Hailing from the Côte des Bar in the Aube, this wine is fresh and fruity with notes of raspberry, cranberry, and orange. Who doesn't love a fruit accompaniment with their cheese?! Pair with goat cheese, brie, or époisses.
Guy Charlemagne Brut Classique, $37 from Astor Wines
This is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay for an unreal price. If you're looking for classic notes of apples, pears, and brioche, you should buy a case of this bubbly. With such traditional flavors, you have to go with everyone's favorite high-brow, low-brow pairing: Champagne and fried chicken. Vegetarians, waffle fries for you!
G.H. Mumm Brut Grand Cordon, $45 from Wine.com
While I love smaller houses and growers as much as anyone, I have to give the Grandes Marques (aka big houses) some love, too. For my money, Mumm is consistently one of the best under $50. Its nuanced citrus and tropical notes remind me of a summer day on the beach! A great choice for citrus salad with honey, mint, and lime dressing.
Pol Roger Brut, $49 from Wine.com
Pol Roger is one of the few Grandes Marques that is still family-owned. Their Champagnes are famously classy and elegant, including this entry-level bottling that squeaks in just below our price threshold. Seafood lovers, try this with shrimp tacos, oysters, or tuna sashimi. (Fun fact for history buffs: Pol Roger was Winston Churchill's favorite.)
The thing is, if you're like me, you've got your heart set on Champagne despite the price tags! So, let's make your Champagne purchases as painless as possible. I've done the searching and the sipping to bring you my favorites under $50. These might not be affordable for everyday, but they are affordable for Champagne.
10 Champagnes Under $50
Étienne Calsac L'échappée Belle Extra Brut, $45 from Verve Wine
With only 2g/L dosage, this 100% Chardonnay from Côte des Blancs is perfect for those who like their Champagne incredibly dry. Its delicate yeast notes are perfect for hard-to-pair dishes like eggs Benedict, garlic asparagus, or tomato and avocado salad.
Dhondt-Grellet Dans un Premier Temps Brut, $45 from Verve Wine
A few years ago I served this alongside crudité before Thanksgiving dinner. It was a huge hit, and has been been a favorite of mine since! Made of 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 20% Pinot Meunier, this creamy Champagne is incredibly versatile. Try it with anything from a spring salad with creamy dressing to a turkey burger and fries!
Michel Loriot Apollonis Authentique Meunier Blanc de Noirs, $42 from Astor Wines
This is the only 100% Pinot Meunier bottle on this list, but it does make me wonder why don't see more like it! With notes of red apples, tart cranberries, baking spices, and dry clay, you'll want to pair this one with something more hardy and earthy, like mushroom en croûte, stuffed butternut squash, or smothered pork chops.
Michel Loriot Apollonis Theodorine Brut Rosé, $45 from Astor Wines
With 9g/L dosage, this is creeping toward the top of brut and flirting with extra dry. I know a little dosage scares people these days, but please trust me here! I personally like fruity, strawberry-forward bubbly rosé like this with heavy hors d'oeuvres, like baked brie with fig jam, salmon rillettes, or pigs in a blanket.
Liébart-Régnier Brut, $45 from Astor Wines
While it does have a bit of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier is the star of the show in this bottle. Wherever there's Meunier, there's earth and spice! A Champagne like this should be a go-to for the dinner table. Think you can't pair steak with champs? Try a savory one like this! For you non-meat eaters, go for swordfish or roasted eggplant.
Liébart-Régnier Brut Rosé, $45 from Astor Wines
Another Meunier-dominate blend! I think I have a type... I celebrated my last birthday with this Champagne and didn't pair it with anything, besides more Champagne. When I open my next bottle, it will be alongside something fried and crispy! Bold sparkling rosé is heavenly with French fries, rolled potato tacos, or fried fish.
Marie Demets Cuvée Rubis Rosé, $35 from Fass Selections
While all Champagne is fantastic with a range of cheeses, this is my top choice to pair with a cheese board. Hailing from the Côte des Bar in the Aube, this wine is fresh and fruity with notes of raspberry, cranberry, and orange. Who doesn't love a fruit accompaniment with their cheese?! Pair with goat cheese, brie, or époisses.
Guy Charlemagne Brut Classique, $37 from Astor Wines
This is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay for an unreal price. If you're looking for classic notes of apples, pears, and brioche, you should buy a case of this bubbly. With such traditional flavors, you have to go with everyone's favorite high-brow, low-brow pairing: Champagne and fried chicken. Vegetarians, waffle fries for you!
G.H. Mumm Brut Grand Cordon, $45 from Wine.com
While I love smaller houses and growers as much as anyone, I have to give the Grandes Marques (aka big houses) some love, too. For my money, Mumm is consistently one of the best under $50. Its nuanced citrus and tropical notes remind me of a summer day on the beach! A great choice for citrus salad with honey, mint, and lime dressing.
Pol Roger Brut, $49 from Wine.com
Pol Roger is one of the few Grandes Marques that is still family-owned. Their Champagnes are famously classy and elegant, including this entry-level bottling that squeaks in just below our price threshold. Seafood lovers, try this with shrimp tacos, oysters, or tuna sashimi. (Fun fact for history buffs: Pol Roger was Winston Churchill's favorite.)
