Are you looking for the most popular French champagne brands?
Champagne is regarded as the wine for happiness and celebration worldwide. It is present at all festivals and moments of success, whether with family, friends, at work, or even in the sports world.
In short, any time is a good time to sip this bubbly drink.
But when did it all start?
Authentic sparkling wine was first made in the Champagne region of France in the 1600s. It is a clear wine with no cloudy impurities.
Dom Pérignon, a monk at the Benedictine Abbey of Hautvillers, is often given credit for coming up with a way to get rid of the awful-looking clouds that had long spoiled sparkling wine. Thus, champagne was born.
Things you'll find in this article
- What Makes A Champagne?
- 17 Most Popular French Champagne Brands
- 1. Moët & Chandon
- 2. Dom Pérignon
- 3. Krug
- 4. Piper-Heidsieck
- 5. Veuve Clicquot
- 6. Louis Roederer
- 7. Perrier-Jouët
- 8. Bollinger
- 9. Nicolas Feuillatte
- 10. G.H. Mumm
- 11. Laurent-Perrier
- 12. Taittinger
- 13. Pol Roger
- 14. Pommery
- 15. Canard-Duchêne
- 16. Armand de Brignac (a.k.a. Ace of Spades)
- 17. Lanson
What Makes A Champagne?
Most people use the word “champagne” to refer to sparkling wine in general. Still, true champagne is only made from grapes grown in the Champagne region of northeastern France.
When people talk about champagne that is not made in the French region of Champagne, they usually mean a wine created using the Méthode Champenoise – a traditional way that champagne is fermented.
Moreover, authentic champagne wines are only made of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes from the vineyards of the Champagne region.
17 Most Popular French Champagne Brands
Whether you’re looking for the perfect champagne bottle to pop for dinner, celebrate a special event, or simply as a gift, we have prepared a list of the most popular champagne brands you should consider getting in order to make sure every palate will be satisfied.
Here are the most popular champagne brands from France for you to choose from.
1. Moët & Chandon
Moët & Chandon is one of the most popular French champagne brands. Also known simply as Moët, it is a great champagne that is almost everyone’s go-to.
Moët & Chandon, founded in 1743 by Claude Moët, is one of the world’s most well-known and beloved Champagne houses.
With their 1,200 hectares of vines, they are hailed as the vastest vineyards in France’s Champagne region, blending heritage with Savoir-Fête for 100% glamorous events.
2. Dom Pérignon
The influential cuvée of Champagne House Moët & Chandon is Dom Pérignon. Dom Pérignon is labeled after a Benedictine monk widely regarded as champagne’s spiritual father.
Dom Pérignon had been quoted as saying that champagne is like “tasting the stars.” This is an out-of-this-world description that seems pretty accurate even today.
Dom Pérignon is a French classic made from the best grapes grown in a year, making it the most famous brand of vintage champagne. The brand was launched in 1936 by Robert-Jean de Vogué, considered the first commercially available brut prestige cuvee using wine from the 1921 vintage.
Dom Pérignon is a favorite of both royalty and celebrities. In fact, it was the champagne of preference for Lady Diana’s royal wedding to Prince Charles.
3. Krug
Krug is one of France’s most prestigious champagne houses, started by Joseph Krug in 1843. The company is based in the city of Reims, in the famous Champagne region of France.
The brand is considered premium and is frequently quite expensive. In fact, a $750 bottle of 1975 Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs earned Krug a spot on Forbes’ list of the Most Expensive Champagnes. The brand’s prestige makes it one of the most popular French champagne brands with the affluent.
Krug 1928 is deemed by some to be the best wine ever made in the 20th century. Krug also makes NV Rosé, NV Grand Cuveé, vintage bottlings from good years, Clos d’Ambonnay Blanc des Noirs, and older vintage bottlings.
4. Piper-Heidsieck
Dubbed “the red label,” Piper-Heidsieck is a champagne brand founded to impress Queen Marie Antoinette in 1785 by Florens-Louis Heidsieck, also in the French city of Reims.
Piper-Heidsieck is a famous French champagne often consumed at red carpet events such as the Cannes Film Festival. Marilyn Monroe is said to have been among the Champagne House’s earliest consumers, having kept a month’s supply of this champagne brand in her kitchen.
Piper-Heidsieck is a timeless classic and a preferred choice among luxury lifestyle brands.
5. Veuve Clicquot
Maison Veuve Clicquot is one of the world’s most recognizable champagne brands with its iconic, unmistakable yellow-orange label.
The brand has been producing luxury champagnes since 1772 and today remains in an ideal spot in the champagne market.
Veuve Clicquot is well-known for its rich and toasty flavors, as well as its highly instagrammable qualities. Veuve Clicquot commands attention and reflects your current fashion sense.
6. Louis Roederer
Louis Roederer, founded in 1833, is one of the most prestigious champagne houses. Louis Roederer has a long and illustrious history, supporter by illistrious people from tsars to hip-hop stars.
Cristal is the most well-known champagne from Louis Roederer. It has garnered ecstatic reviews for its full-bodied, opulent, and seductive champagne since it was first created in 1876 to meet the preference of Tsar Alexander II of Russia.
Cristal Champagne is only made in exceptional vintages.
7. Perrier-Jouët
Perrier-Jouët champagnes have been a favorite bubbly of Europe’s elite, from Baudelaire to Princess Grace of Monaco, since 1811.
Perrier-Jouët has a solid connection to the art world. The famous hand-painted flowers on Perrier-Jouët flagship bottles suggest artistic ability.
The Perrier-Jouët’s romantic history and refined elegance make it an ideal love story companion.
8. Bollinger
Bollinger is the champagne of choice for gentlemen. Eventhough James Bond, the fictional British secret service agent, has chosen other champagnes in the past, he now drinks Bollinger, which fans call “Bolly.”
Bollinger Champagne is known for its full body and complexity. It is made with a blend that is mostly Pinot Noir.
Producing its first vintage in 1795, Bollinger is one of the oldest existing champagne houses in France.
9. Nicolas Feuillatte
Nicolas Feuillatte is one of the best champagne brands in France. It comes in modern packaging and has blends that are of good value.
While most of the world’s most famous champagnes have been around for hundreds of years, the blue label of Nicolas Feuillatte was started only in 1976. Its founder, Nicolas Feuillatte, was born in Paris in 1926 into a family of wine and spirits merchants. His champagne house, however, is located in the heart of the prestigious Côte des Blancs.
The bottles of Nicolas Feuillatte champagne are both easy to find and affordable, making it one of the most popular champagne brands from France.
10. G.H. Mumm
The Champagne House G.H. Mumm was founded in 1827 in Reims. Its famous red ribbon symbolizes the House’s history, and many people consider it the best champagne for food. It can be found on the tables of the best chefs.
Mumm is one of the largest champagne houses, ranking 4th based on number of bottles sold worldwide.
G.H. Mumm is also known for being on the podium of Formula 1 and for sponsoring high-end sporting events. This is in addition to its long history with haute cuisine.
11. Laurent-Perrier
Laurent-Perrier is the perfect champagne for you if you think celebrating should be done sincerely.
Established in 1812, Laurent-Perrier is one of France’s most popular champagne houses. It is closely associated with the art de vivre à la française (“French art of living”).
Maison Laurent-Perrier is famous for its finesse, lightness, and elegance. It has a clever, sleek design, and its house style is based on Chardonnay.
Laurent-Perrier is a brand of French champagne that has low calories and tastes great – a kind of “healthy” sparkler. It’s no wonder that fashion A-listers love to drink it.
12. Taittinger
Taittinger is one of the best Champagnes for the money. It had been owned and run by the same family whose name is on the label from 1932 until 2005, when the Taittinger family sold Champagne Taittinger to an American private investment firm.
Taittinger Champagnes are known for having a lot of Chardonnay in them, which gives them elegance and finesse on the nose and palate.
13. Pol Roger
Ever heard of “royal champagne”? Pol Roger was the official champagne of William and Kate’s wedding as well Harry and Meghan’s and held a Royal Warrant as a Champagne supplier to the late Queen Elisabeth II.
Pol Roger is also well-known for being a favorite of Sir Winston Churchill, whose popular words about champagne are quoted on the label of the influential Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill.
Pol Roger started his eponymous champagne house in 1849. Today the brand is still owned and managed by his descendants. This champagne house is located in the town of Épernay in the region of Champagne.
14. Pommery
Pommery, a well-known French champagne producer in Reims, France, was founded in 1858 and is known for its constant innovation.
Pommery popularized the Brut category in champagne and is also credited with creating the world’s first eco-friendly champagne. The Pommery style is built on finesse and cheery lightness.
Pommery will be collaborating with famous Japanese rock star Yoshiki as the brand’s first co-release with a celebrity artist. Yokishi and Pommery will jointly manage Y by Yoshiki x Champagne Pommery Brut.
15. Canard-Duchêne
Canard-Duchêne is the best deal champagne for gourmets.
Founded by Victor Canard and Léonie Duchêne in Reims in 1868, the Champagne House of Canard-Duchêne is one of the most well-known French champagne brands today.
Inspired by a wine lover’s fairy tale, Canard-Duchêne’s is defined by the noble varietal of the Pinot Noir grape. This creates refined champagnes with class, crispness, and character.
This French champagne brand is both affordable and delicious, which makes it to the list of the most popular champagne brands from France.
16. Armand de Brignac (a.k.a. Ace of Spades)
Armand de Brignac, known as Ace of Spades by Jay-Z, is the world’s most popular non-vintage champagne.
This French champagne brand used to be owned and run by the Cattier family in the quaint village of Rilly-la-Montagne, part of the Montagne de Reims region of Champagne, under the Cattier Champagne House. In November 2014, Armand de Brignac was bought by American rapper and producer Jay-Z (legally, Shawn Corey Carter a.k.a. Beyonce’s husband).
Armand de Brignac’s Ace of Spades is equated with supreme luxury – a mainstay at the world’s most upscale bars, clubs, and restaurants. Simply put, it is a party champagne extraordinaire.
17. Lanson
Champagne Lanson is one of the vintage champagne houses in Reims. They have been producing some of the world’s finest champagnes using conventional methods since 1760, remaining true to their rich heritage.
This popular French champagne brand is owned by Lanson International, which is focused on exporting champagne to foreign markets.
Since the late 1800s, Lanson was supplying champagne to the royal courts of Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Today, Lanson is still a purveyor of champagne to the British royal family.
Lanson champagnes are known for being non-malolactic, fresh, sharp, fruity, and exquisite.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.