When it comes to New Year’s Eve libations, there’s no substitute for raising a glass of bubbly as the ball drops. And when it comes to bubbly, nothing matches the prestige, pairing variety, and presence of fine Champagne. These eight bottles are all fantastic, and they range from versatile non-vintage expressions to vintages that can be popped now or aged for decades. But first, a quick refresher on how to chill, serve and store Champagne properly…
Marie-Christine Osselin, Wine Experience Manager of Moët and Chandon, recommends storing Champagne horizontally in a dark, cool spot at around 54-55°F. When you’re ready to serve it, chill for a few hours in a fridge, or for twenty minutes in an ice bucket filled 1/3 with ice and 2/3 water. Never over-chill the Champagne and serve it a temperature between 46-50 degrees Fahrenheit for non-vintage and a slightly warmer 50-54 degrees Fahrenheit for vintage. Also, consider ditching the traditional flute and use a white wine glass to open up more of the aroma of the Champagne—especially when talking vintage.
Dom Pérignon x Takashi Marukami Rosé 2010
Dom is a bit like Cher or Sting—so famous that one prosaic word is enough. Serving any Dom makes a serious statement, but this special edition makes an even more creative and nuanced one. This limited edition is a collaboration between Dom Pérignon and the Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Marukami, and it features the artist’s signature “smiling flowers” on the label and the box. A little whimsy to offset any suspicions that you’re simply showing off.
For Marukami, putting his artwork on a Champagne that will be enjoyed years in the future gave him a sense of transcending time. “When the label has aged, and I am gone, and my children are gone, I hope that people of the future, when they see it, will reimagine 2025 in their own minds,” he said.
The 2010 vintage Rosé Champagne consists of 56 percent pinot noir and 44 percent chardonnay, and if you opt to save it for a future celebration, it can be aged for at least the next few decades. With tropical fruit, spice, floral and savory aspects, it pairs well with rich seafoods, meats, and the desire for decadence. $540
Moët & Chandon Limited Edition Holiday Collection Impérial Brut
This holiday season, Moët & Chandon created an all-red version of their classic Champagne that is stunning in person, delicious to sip, and a lovely thing to give a host for a New Year’s Eve party. Created from more than 100 different wines, it’s a blend of pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay. Floral, fruity, and with a touch of more savory notes like brioche and nuts, it pairs well with caviar, fish, and lighter dishes––or all by itself with good company. For edification, you do pronounce the “T” in Moët, so it’s Mow-Ett and not Mow-Ay, because the Maison’s founder was Dutch. $55
Dom Ruinart 2013
This vintage is the pinnacle of blanc de blancs Champagne–a style made exclusively from white grapes. Made from 100 percent Grand Cru and Premier Cru chardonnay, the winemaking team used corks instead of sealed crown caps during the aging process, in order to allow a micro-oxygenation over time that develops a greater depth of flavor. Brighter, fresher, and with more pronounced minerality than traditional brut Champagne, blanc de blancs pairs well with delicate foods like oysters, caviar, and sushi.
The weather in 2013 required a late harvest, giving the vintage some distinct toasty notes on the nose and a “chiseled structure” on the palate, with citrusy aromas carried through a long and peppery finish. With slightly higher acidity than the average year, this vintage can be aged for a least a decade. $340
Veuve Clicquot x Simon Porte Jacquemus: La Grande Dame 2018 Limited Edition
This limited edition 2018 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame was dressed in white linen by French fashion designer Simon Porte Jacquemus. The linen is embroidered with the classic Veuve yellow—a favorite color of the designer. The dress-like layer is meant to be an homage to two women: Madame Clicquot, and Jacquemus’ own mother. But it also serves a purpose; it recreates an old bottle-chilling method where you can soak it in water, and it will help keep the bottle cold.
Made from 90 percent pinot noir and 10 percent chardonnay, it has a deep and rich flavor with a hint of salinity, and fresh and citrusy notes that pair well with rich foods like shellfish and cream sauces. If you prefer to wait, it can also be aged for up to 15 years, if not longer. $225
Krug Rosé 28ème Édition
Krug was founded in 1843 by the German-born Joseph Krug, and perhaps that’s why the name still lands with a bit more of a serious tone than the more Francophone houses of the region.
Perfect for the rosé lover and holiday host, Krug Rosé is an unexpected rosé Champagne achieving an astonishing balance of finesse and depth. This expression dates back to 1976, when it was conceived as a rosé that would showcase the Maison’s art of blending and be re-created each year with that intention.
The current edition is a blend of 32 wines from 6 different years—the youngest from 2016 and the oldest from 2010. It’s composed of 58 percent pinot noir, 25 percent chardonnay, and 17 percent pinot meunier grapes. On the nose it has notes of currants, pepper, and pink grapefruit, and on the palate, it delivers honey, citrus, dried fruit and a long finish. It pairs well with bold, savory flavors like foie gras, lamb, or game. $425
Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut
Séverine Frerson, Maison Perrier-Jouët’s Cellar Master, describes this as a “melting pot of aromas and flowers.” The Grand Brut dates back to the origination of the term “brut” itself as a style of Champagne. In 1846, in response to British demand for ever-drier expressions, Maison Perrier-Jouët created the first “brut,” so-named as a jab at the British palates, at a time when Champagne was sweeter than it is today.
It’s made of 40 percent pinot noir, 40 percent pinot meunier, and 20 percent chardonnay, and is aged a minimum of three years. Crisp and balanced, with ample floral and fruity notes and a satisfying finish, it pairs well with a range of dishes both sweet and savory, and drinks easily on its own. It is also relatively affordable, making it perfect to buy as a case for your party. $65
Telmont Réserve De La Terre
Champagne Telmont has been around since 1912, but in recent years the Maison has become uniquely focused on sustainability. 70 percent of the grapes used are grown using organic and regenerative agriculture, and they’re working towards 100 percent and net-zero carbon emissions. Leonardo DiCaprio, himself an environmentalist, is an investor helping achieve this goal.
Telmont is distinguished by its balance of structure and lightness—two qualities rarely found in such harmony. This expression in particular is a perfect showcase for what the brand stands for in terms of sustainability and what they can achieve in terms of flavor.
In 2024, Maison Telmont unveiled its manifesto-cuvée, “Réserve de la Terre,” crafted from 100 percent organic grapes, without herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and chemical synthetic fertilizers. Radiant, luminous, and full of life, this cuvée represents the future of Maison Telmont. It’s a blend of three excellent years—2020 at 70 percent, 2019 at 15 percent, and 2018 at 15 percent—aged for 36 months and composed of 44 percent pinot meunier, 34 percent chardonnay, and 22 percent pinot noir. The subtle flavors and levity on the palate pair well with seafood, chicken, and soft cheeses. $105
Piper-Heidsieck Code Rouge Edition
Marie Antoinette was Piper-Heidsieck’s first ambassador, so there’s no shortage of pedigree here. The Code Rouge Edition is a highly giftable limited release with a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut encased in a sleek, sculptural red-and-gold cylinder inspired by vintage fire extinguishers.
Crafted from a blend of pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay grapes sourced from over 100 crus across the Champagne region, this emblematic multi-vintage cuvée is prized for its expressive character and elegant profile. Bright notes of pear, white peach, citrus, and orange blossom are layered with toasted bread, almonds, and mint. Fresh and harmonious, it pairs well with pasta, seafood, and soft cheeses. $76
