Every special occasion deserves a toast with champagne, and knowing which are the 15 best selling Champagne brands in the world 2018 will give us an idea of what people look for in a bottle of bubbly.
Champagne has always been associated with elegance and sophistication, and there is more than one reason why people find it irresistible: As per scientific researches, champagne’s effervescence stimulates the brain’s perception of aromas and flavors. But it’s not only that, in fact, sipping a glass of champagne from time to time may even have benefits for your heart as it contains antioxidants. There are several champagne brands names in the market, and all of them differ in prices and tastes.
But, not any sparkling wine can be called champagne. The real champagne comes only from the Champagne region in France and is chalky soil found just in this region what makes the champagne grapes unique. Champagne is made merely out of three grape varieties, and each of them contributes with specific qualities to the blend: Pinot Noir adds strength and body as well as aromas of red fruits. Pinot Meunier gives the acidity and a certain fruitiness which is more noticeable in younger wines, and Chardonnay provides finesse to the blend bringing stone-fruit aromas and a touch of creaminess. According to the amount of each variety used in the mixture, different champagne types are obtained. Champagnes can be Whites, which may be either Blanc de Noirs or Blanc de Blancs both made from a single grape variety or just plain Blanc made from any combination of the permitted grape varieties. There is also champagne Rose which is produced either by adding red wine to a white blend or by fermenting the juice in contact with the skins.
Champagnes also have different degrees of sweetness that go from Brut (Brut Nature, Extra Brut), Extra Dry, Dry, Demi-Sec to Doux. Out of all these, Brut, which is a dry type, is the one with the fewest calories. It’s a known fact that a glass of champagne of any kind contains fewer calories than any other wine, as we mention in our article 11 lowest calorie diet friendly wines you actually want to drink.
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Champagne available in the market is produced by the existing 320 champagne houses. In 2017, the region of Champagne produced 295 million bottles. France exports 50% of its production to the world, and the United Kingdom is the biggest importer of champagne. Brits have made champagne their favorite drink (if you don’t count tea, naturally), and one of their preferred brands is Piper-Heidsieck, which is considered one of the best champagne brands in the UK.
The high demand and limited production make champagne prices higher than any other wine, yet you don’t have to deprive yourself of enjoying a bottle of bubbly. There are inexpensive champagne brands which have not much to envy those with the highest prices. For instance, Louis Roederer is a renowned Maison that produces the finest champagnes, like its NV Brut Premier in Magnum that was named best champagne 2018. This Maison also produces fine champagnes for 20 dollars. Another example of good quality for a moderate price is Laurent-Perrier one of the best champagne brands under 50 dollars that you can find available. Although, if you are among the ones who are sensitive to alcohol taste there are also options for you, check out the 10 best alcoholic drinks that don’t taste like alcohol.
The champagne industry is a multi-million dollar business and out of all the houses that produce champagne, a limited amount has become well known outside France. In this article we will tell you which are the best selling champagne brands in the world 2018, and why are people’s favorites at the moment of choosing champagne. For developing our ranking, we have assembled data from the list provided by Country and Townhouse, California Winery Advisor and different articles and interviews related to the topic. So, let’s discover which are the 15 best selling champagne brands in the world 2018.
15. Ruinart:
Maison Ruinart was created in 1729 and since then has produced wines with the highest quality standards. Currently, the brand belongs to the luxurious goods conglomerate LVMH (Moet Hennesy Louis Vuitton SE). Although until a few years ago Ruinart did not have any presence in the American market, now it’s a required brand in exclusive restaurants and specialty wine shops. The Ruinart champagnes are light, fruity and fresh, which is achieved by the predominance of the Chardonnay grape in the blend. Maison Ruinart has kept throughout the years a distinctive style and culture qualities that have made it a recognized brand all over the world.
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14. Krug:
Another LVMH brand. Krug Champagnes are known for being rich, complex, and long-aging with a slight impression of sweetness. You may not be able to find this champagne in just any liquor store or a local supermarket for which its critics may call it elitist. The specific blends make this brand sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.
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13. Perrier-Jouët:
The Maison Perrier-Jouët was created in 1811 with its vineyards located in the heart of the Champagne region. The brand has always been distinguished by its quality and reputation of producing high-quality grapes. It’s the Chardonnay vine that gives Perrier Jouët champagnes elegance and lightness, as well as an unusual finesse, felt in the taste of pear and touch of creaminess. The history of the Perrier-Jouët House is intimately linked to the Art Nouveau of the Belle Époque which is evident in the brand’s most recognizable bottle of Perrier-Jouët Cuvee Belle Époque that has one of the most beautiful packages in the world of wine. Taking all this into account, it doesn’t surprise that Perrier-Jouët is one of the best selling champagne brands in the world 2018.
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12. Louis Roederer:
This Maison was founded in 1776 and is owned by the same family since 1819. Louis Roederer is one of the few Champagne houses that today are still independent. Throughout the years the brand has achieved privileged recognition in the champagne world and is considered one of the most prestigious Maison de Champagne. Its Louis Roederer NV Brut Premier in Magnum has been named the best champagne in 2018. The Roederer wines are fruity with a crisp texture. The brand’s prestige cuvée is named Cristal and is available in brut and rosé style.
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11. Bollinger:
Bollinger doesn’t need presentation. Its name has been associated with top quality Champagne since its creation in 1829. To this day Bollinger is one of the last remaining family-owned houses. Champagnes Bollinger’s taste is the result of a blend made primarily of Pinot Noir. The grape’s fruity and smoky flavors give the champagne that rich and robust taste. Bollinger’s NV Special Cuvee is the most recognized champagne of this brand; it’s rich with the aroma of pears and a long-lasting finish.
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Now, our top ten of the 15 best selling champagne brands in the world 2018:
10. Canard-Duchêne:
The house was founded in 1868 at the heart of the Montagne de Reims. Currently, Canard Duchêne is part of the Groupe Thienot. Its wines are sold in over 130 countries. The predominance of Pinot Noir vine in the blends gives to the wines its power and elegance with recognizable flavors of berries and cherries.
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9. Lanson:
Lason is a family-owned Maison founded in 1760. Its wines are produced using a traditional wine-making method, without malolactic fermentation providing the wines with a longer aging potential. The dominance of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the blends emphasize the richness of aromas making the wines fresh, crisp and elegant.
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8. Piper-Heidsieck:
It’s one of the most famous houses in Champagne. Piper-Heidsieck wines have a predominant fruity flavor as a result of the blend made with higher proportions of Pinot Noir and less of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Piper-Heidsieck elaborates Brut, Extra Brut, and Demi-Sec wines. Its best release is the Rare Millésime, full-bodied and well-structured champagne aged for seven years. Rare is made only in the very best vintage years; this is the reason why in the past 30 years, less than ten productions of this champagne were released. But, Rare is only one of the Piper-Heidsieck’s champagnes thanks to which this brand has become one of the best selling champagne brands in the world 2018.
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7. Pommery:
The house founded in 1858 now belongs to the Vranken-Pommery Group. Pommery house claims to be the pioneer of the Brut champagnes. Before 1874 the champagnes were higher in sugar and alcohol, but Pommery changed its process to conquer the English public who preferred drier wines. It was then when Pommery Nature was released to improve the champagne world. Pommery champagnes are fine and fresh. Its flag champagne is Brut Royal, bright and balanced champagne with flavors of honey and nuts and a sharp lemon finish.
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6. Taittinger:
It was established in 1932 and to this day is a family run house. Taittinger champagnes are produced with a 40% of Chardonnay which gives them their distinctive flavors. The house’s signature champagne is Comtes de Champagne, first made in the 1952 vintage, which is considered one of the most consistent Blanc de Blancs from the Champagne region. Another well-accepted product is Taittinger Brut Réserve delicately balanced champagne, with flavors of fresh fruit and honey.
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5. Laurent-Perrier:
Its champagnes are known for their finesse and elegance. Chardonnay is the dominant grape variety in most of Laurent-Perrier’s wines, and it’s what makes them delicate with a refreshing combination of apple and citric flavors. Grand Siècle is the house’s Prestige Cuvee, and it was first released in 1959. Through the years Laurent-Perrier has been able to distinguish itself in the world of champagne for a particular mix of elegance and intensity being one of the best selling champagne brands in the world 2018.
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4. G.H. Mumm:
Maison Mumm is the 4th largest producer of champagne in the world. Its signature product is the zesty, refreshing Cordon Rouge Brut released for the first time in 1875. Cordon Rouge is made from a blend of over 100 different crus where Pinot Noir is the dominant grape and the reason behind the champagne’s delicious aromas of peach, apricot, and pineapple. Over the years Mumm has been the official sponsor of different sport related events. Nowadays, it sponsors both the Kentucky Derby and Australian Melbourne Cup.
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3. Nicolas Feuillatte:
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte (CV-CNF), is a conglomerate of 82 cooperatives who are the suppliers of grapes for the production of the brand’s champagne. Feuillatte’s strategy was to focus on creating softer-tasting champagne that would appeal to a broader market, particularly women. Despite being one of the youngest champagne brands (founded in 1976), Nicolas Feuillatte is a well-known champagne brand not only in France but in the world. Its prestige Cuvee is Palmes d’Or, the elegant champagne with aromas of dried fruits, citrus and stone fruits, the result of a successful blend of 40% Chardonnay with 60% Pinot Noir.
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2. Veuve Clicquot:
Veuve Clicquot was founded in Reims, France, in 1772, by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron, who over time would transform his champagne into the favorite drink of the high bourgeoisie and the nobility of Europe. However, was his daughter in law Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, and his son’s widow (Veuve in French) who took control of the family’s business. Since 1987 the company Veuve Clicquot has been part of the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy group of luxury brands. The brand’s most distinctive product is its Yellow Label Brut Non-Vintage which has aromas of vanilla and yellow fruits. Veuve Clicquot’s prestige Cuvee is La Grande Dame, a bottle of vintage champagne first released in 1972 in honor of Barbe-Nicole, and made from a blend of eight grand cru vineyards.
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And, the #1 best selling champagne brand in the world 2018 is:
1. Moët & Chandon:
Since 1987, Moët & Chandon is co-owner of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH), the luxurious group which owns several other famous wine brands, including Krug and Veuve Clicquot. However, the history of Moët & Chandon started much longer ago. Maison Moët was founded in 1743 and since the beginning has been associated with success and glamour. Its wines are fresh and fruity with notes of rose, grape, and biscuit. The prestige Cuvee from the Moët & Chandon brand is Dom Perignon, a mixture of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, which is released only when the cellar master is convinced the wine is age-worthy, making sure just the highest quality champagne is produced.
That being said, these were best selling champagne brand in the world 2018. Do you have a favorite among them?
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