Most people would agree that Champagne still reigns supreme when it comes to sparkling wines, in spite of the rise in people drinking prosecco and English sparkling wine. If you ask us, there’s no better way to celebrate a momentous occasion than by popping the cork off a bottle of bubbly, and it really is best if that bubbly is proper Champagne.
Whether it’s right that Champagne is seen as a luxury in a way that other sparkling wines aren't isn’t for us to say, but Rome wasn’t built in a day and the Champenois have invested hundreds of years of time and money into educating consumers into the unique virtues of Champagne and protecting its name. And while it’s generally true that with luxury items like Champagne, you do tend to get what you pay for, that doesn’t mean anything under £50 is going to taste like hairspray – far from it – which is where this guide comes in.
We’ve taste tested our way through the best value Champagnes under £40 (cue jokes about what a tough gig this job is) and come up with this list of what we consider to be the best cheap Champagne on the market right now. And we’d like to stress that when we say ‘cheap’, we don’t mean low-quality or mediocre-tasting – this is SquareMeal after all – we mean affordable luxury for those who still want something wonderful to drink, without having hundreds to drop on a bottle of expensive Champagne.
Most of the budget Champagnes in our round-up are non-vintage which, in case you’re wondering, means that the grapes used are from more than one year’s harvest, allowing the Champagne house to balance the flavours from one year to another and produce their signature house style. They are more commonly available, but not necessarily less flavourful than vintage Champagnes. As the proof of the pudding is always in the tasting, we recommend you check out as many of these bottles as your wallet allows.
Best cheap Champagne 2024
These affordable Champagnes come from all sorts of retailers - supermarket and wine specialists both. You might even be able to get the price down if you're willing to buy a case at a time!
Waitrose Blanc de Noirs Champagne
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What: This Waitrose house Champagne is made purely of Pinot Noir (no Pinot Meunier, in this one) by a small house called Alexandre Bonnet who grow their own grapes in the southerly Aube region, and we reckon it takes the cake as the best supermarket Champagne around. The wine is packed with fruity richness and biscuity notes. It’s a ‘vin de plaisir’ rather than anything too serious, but deliciously refreshing. It has grip and persistence and is delicious with fish and chips. The sort of well-made but attractively priced fizz you always want to have chilling in the fridge.
Where to buy it: Waitrose
Price: £24
Heidsieck & Co Monopole 'Bronze Top' Brut Champagne
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What: This fizz is from one of Champagne's oldest houses which boasts a stellar customer list including Tsar Nicholas II who, once a year, would fill two whole trains with the stuff, so the story goes. Its toasty nose gives way to a fresh, zippy palate of black fruits and citrus with an attractive yeastiness.
Where to buy it: Majestic
Price: £30
Pol Roger Brut Reserve
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What: Pol Roger is right on the fringes of our affordability criteria but we’d be remiss not to mention this outstanding bottle here as the value is exceptional. In fact, the same bottle often goes for around £50, making this a steal. Delicate toasty aromas on the nose and notes of white peach and pineapple on the palate give way to real complexity and a lasting finish. A Champagne worthy of any occasion.
Where to buy it: Laithwaites
Price: £40
Piper Heidsieck NV Brut
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What: If you’re looking for solid bargains in Champagne, it often pays to go with a respected name, and houses don’t come much more respected than Piper Heidsieck. The signature cuvee is elegant too, with some complex minerality on the palate and lots of dried stone fruit and some biscuit and pastry notes on the nose. The striking box makes a good present too!
Where to buy it: Laithwaites
Price: £33
Searcys Selected Cuvee Brut Champagne
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What: Yes, alright, you got us - at £41 this Searcys bottle sneaks in over the cap, but for the extra quid it was worth including. This Selected Cuvee is firmly in the dry camp - an elegant and fruity pour with plum and peach notes. Have a rummage around in your glove box or behind the couch cushions for the extra pound - you won’t regret it.
Where to buy it: Searcys
Price: £41
Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut
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What: Aldi’s wine buying has been widely praised in recent years, and you’ll struggle to find better Champagne at this price anywhere, even in sales. The Veuve Monsigny has a serious hype-train running behind it - it’s not quite as good as a big name bottle, but it’s zesty and toasty with a long finish. For £15, you really can’t go wrong.
Where to buy it: Aldi
Price: £15
Lanson Black Label Brut
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This fine Champagne, that dates back to 1760, boasts plenty of finesse, pedigree and concentration that opens up with time in the glass. Its nose is accented with toasty richness interwoven with delicate flowers leads into a palate of round ripe fruit cut through with a citrus zip. A smooth texture and decent finish adds further appeal.
Where to buy it: Drink Supermarket
Price: £32
Tesco Finest Vintage Champagne
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What: Tesco’s Finest Vintage Champagne has won so many accolades over the years that it just had to make it on our list of the best cheap Champagnes. Made from Chardonnay grapes alone, it’s crisp and dry with delightful citrus notes.
Where to buy it: Tesco
Price: £30
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve NV
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What: This best-selling retail wine ticks a lot of boxes. The palate is distinguished by notes of pear and apricot combined with toasty richness and a slight honeyed sweetness. A combination of ageing on lees and cellar-ageing adds complexity that you don’t always associate with Champagne at this price point.
Where to buy it: Tesco
Price: £24
Ayala Brut Majeur
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What: Beautifully dry and fresh, Ayala’s delicately pale Brut Majeur fizzes with notes of citrus, apple and honey. It’s won plenty of awards for everything from its refreshing taste to its value for money and continues to be one of the most popular Champagnes for those looking to celebrate a special occasion without spending a fortune. Now owned by the Bollinger family, Ayala is a hidden treasure.
Where to buy it: Master of Malt
Price: £33
Chateau De Bligny Grande Reserve NV
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What: The deep golden hue of this Grande Reserve Champagne hints to the rich, creamy, biscuity notes within. Stone fruit and gingerbread come through on the nose too, making this ideal for anyone who loves a rich, luxurious, very drinkable Champagne.
Where to buy it: Laithwaites
Price: £28
Canard-Duchene Cuvée Léonie Brut NV
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What: There’s a surprising depth and maturity about Canard-Duchene’s Cuvée Léonie – maybe on account of its decent slug of reserve wines – while attractive toasty and slightly spicy aromas lead into a palate that sparkles with bright, ripe orchard fruit. The Cuvée Léonie Collection has been crafted specifically to complement food and this wine certainly demonstrates great versatility with the likes of chicken, seafood and cheese.
Where to buy it: Vinatis
Price: £29
Drappier Premier Cru Champagne
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What: Drappier’s Premier Cru is a bundle of class and good value thanks to its complex mix of pear, vanilla, and some rich toasty notes. It’s made up almost entirely of Pinot Noir grapes from the Côte des Bar, with a touch of Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay providing structure. A fuller-bodied wine that’s packed with moreish complexity, and is great with or without food.
Where to buy it: Majestic
Price: £39
Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Brut NV Champagne
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What: Laurent-Perrier is one of the largest family-owned Champagne houses for good reason: they know a thing or two about producing top-quality Champagne. Experts consistently praise the balance, finesse and freshness of Laurent-Perrier’s non-vintage Champagne, which is why so many of the best five-star hotels serve it as their go-to aperitif fizz. Delicate citrus white flowers and fresh laundry on the nose lead into an expressive palate of juicy Granny Smith apples and creaminess.
Where to buy it: Laithwaites
Price: £38
Prefer your Champagne with a little colour to it? Check out our guide to the best pink Champagnes.
Please note: Prices correct at time of writing