Bubbly. Effervescent. Crisp. Sparkling. It’s crystal clear why champagne is the go-to for celebrations. Each sip feels a little special, and when your drink looks like it’s dancing in your glass…no wonder champagne brings the party. Speaking of parties, we have an excellent list of the best champagnes for New Year’s, with different price points, different stories, and of course they’re all available in our stores. As you know, we believe in the history and feel of a brand alongside the flavor profile, so welcome to the bottles we’d have at our party!

New Year’s Eve royalty. She’s classy, she’s elegant, she’s bubbly and fun but doesn’t try to steal the spotlight. She’s the pearl necklace of champagnes — goes with anything, and never out of style. Google “best champagne for New Years Eve” and she’s going to be on the top of every list. How did she get to be queen of the flute glasses? Well, for one thing, this fruity, creamy yet refreshing, Pinot-Noir-dominant champagne has been around for 200 years. Why do we refer to her as “she”? Well, besides being the grand dame of widely accessible but luxurious champagne, her name literally means “Widow Cliquot”, because the wife of the brand’s founder (Phillippe Clicquot-Muiron) became a widow when she was only 27 years old… and then went on to help firmly establish the brand into its current notable state. In fact, Vieuve Cliquot champagne was given a royal warrant of appointment in the United Kingdom, which means it is officially approved to be served to the British Royal Family.
Well done, madame, we raise a glass to you!

If you’re wondering how to pair champagne with appetizers at your New Years Eve party, Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne is a perfect bottle to pluck off the shelf. It’s just…delightful. This lush wine sits on the palate for a long time, making each sip worth savoring. Bollinger pairs beautifully with everything from shrimp cocktail, Parmesan and gruyere cheeses, and nuts to bolder flavors like smoked meats and spice. Cuvée means a special batch, and Bollinger’s is 85% grand crus and premiers crus. What is premier cru? It means the grapes have been grown in one of the rarer areas of the Champagne region designated as premier or grand cru. It’s a label of respect and quality, assuring the sipper that these bubbles are literally the best. Reviews we’ve seen (and heard) give mouthwatering descriptions of flavors that read like a French cafe menu…apricot, almond, buttery pastry, ripe pear, lemon peel, and ginger. Just ask James Bond — Bollinger champagne makes frequent appearances in the Bond movies. If it’s good enough for 007, it’s good enough for us!

This pink-hued wine is a perfect champagne for girls night on New Year’s Eve, or for anyone who wants a solid bottle that pairs especially well with desserts! It’s a touch sweeter than our other picks, with delicate waves of wild strawberry and notes of raspberry. As a rule, rose champagne also tends to be more robust, with a little power on the palate. Translation: Moet and Chandon Rose Imperial is also ideal for a champagne New Years cocktail. Here’s one of our favorite recipes:

French 75

Recipe:
1 oz gin,
1/2 oz lemon juice,
2 Dashes simple syrup,
2 oz champagne

1. Combine gin, syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled champagne flute.
3. Top with champagne. Stir gently and serve.

When you’ve been doing something for over 125 years, you’ve probably mastered it. When you need an affordable champagne for New Years and don’t want to sacrifice flavor and quality, lean on Korbel. Light, crisp, with a hint of fruity spice, Korbel is a great champagne for a crowd. Technically it’s a sparkling wine, as it’s made in California, using the champagne method. It won’t burn a hole in your wallet, and your guests will be happy to refill their glasses with this classic choice. Since we’ve noted other luminaries like James Bond and the British Royal Family in this post, it seems we should note that every U.S. President since Ronald Reagan has used Korbel as the toasting champagne at their inaugurations. Sounds like a perfect glass of bubbly to usher in an election year!

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include Prosecco in this crew. What’s the difference between Prosecco and champagne? They’re like cousins — similar DNA, but with slightly different pedigrees. Champagne is made in the champagne region of France, while Prosecco (mostly) comes from northeastern Italy, and a different type of grape called Glera. It also tends to taste a touch fruitier, not as dry, and its bubbles are larger when compared to the whisper-fine fizz of champagne. We love Prosecco’s punchy flavor and La Marca is one of our favorite Prosecco’s for New Years. Why? We’ll say it plainly: Prosecco is more affordable than most champagne, and you can a great, interesting, and high-quality bottle for less than $20. La Marca is an excellent example of this, with zesty lime, subtle floral notes, and a touch of sweetness. We love to pair La Marca with appetizers, but it goes just as well with pizza. It’s a sparkling wine for all seasons, so what better way to ring in a new year of them?

Another winner in the “What should I drink for New Years?” category. Ruffino is a shade drier than La Marca, and tastes fresh, clean, with a waft of ripe peaches. We reach for it when we want a sparkling pairing for pasta and seafood especially. Food or no food, Ruffino Prosecco is a perfect pick for your New Years wine, thanks to its sparkle, its satisfying crisp flavor, and the fact its been around since the 1800’s, so it’s seen plenty of New Years come and go. We can drink to that!

If you invited Marilyn Monroe to your New Years Eve party, this is the champagne she’d bring. Smooth and creamy, Pieper Heidsieck champagne smells like a flowering citrus orchard, and each sip pops with lime, lemon, pear and a little almond. But let’s get back to Marilyn for a second. She’s quoted as saying she started each morning with a glass of Pieper Heidsieck (pronounced HIDE-seek). If you like your champagne with a story, bring this bottle to your New Years Eve party, and ring in January 1 with a touch of Hollywood glam.

From our Cox’s & Evergreen team to you, enjoy the holiday season and have a very Happy (and very bubbly!) New Year! Cheers!