The best Champagnes to gift (and drink) this Christmas

Understated, elegant and effortlessly cool, much like the man who brings it. Billecart-Salmon’s Brut Réserve is an exercise in poise, blending Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier with a fine, persistent mousse. Think pear, fresh bread, and a hint of almond. It’s Champagne that doesn’t need to shout to be heard.

Louis Roederer’s Collection 245 delivers the maison’s modern spirit: a multi-vintage blend drawn from premium vineyard plots, offering richness, intensity and more depth than many vintage Champagnes. It’s the gentleman’s bottle for when you want to show you know your fizz.

There’s a reason Moët remains one of the most recognisable names in Champagne. Its Impérial Brut is a lesson in balance; crisp yet generous, fresh yet full of body. Expect notes of green apple, citrus, and white flowers underpinned by that signature brioche richness. It’s as fitting for a Christmas morning toast as it is for New Year’s Eve fireworks.

The Grand Siècle isn’t just another prestige cuvée; it’s Laurent-Perrier’s ode to perfection. Crafted from three exceptional vintages blended for harmony, it delivers layers of honeyed toast, almond and citrus zest. The bottle itself; black glass, muted neck foil, feels like something that should come with its own butler. This is Champagne for the dinner table, not the dance floor.

Yes, that Penfolds, renowned for its Australian reds, turns its hand to Champagne with a cuvée that surprises and delights. Bold in character, yet refined, this is a distinctive gift for someone with adventurous taste and an appreciation for craftsmanship that crosses categories.

Few houses evoke the spirit of British Christmas quite like Bollinger, it’s the Champagne James Bond drinks, after all. The 2015 vintage of La Grande Année is dense and powerful, with roasted nuts, dried fruit and a whisper of spice. Serve it with turkey, goose, or frankly anything that comes with gravy.

The connoisseur’s choice. Krug’s Grande Cuvée is a symphony of over 120 wines from more than a decade of harvests; rich, precise, endlessly complex. Notes of hazelnut, citrus peel and baked pastry unfold with every sip. It’s less a drink, more a performance. One for the fireside and a long night of conversation.

All Chardonnay, all charm. Ruinart’s Blanc de Blancs glows with a pale golden hue and sings with white peach, jasmine and lemon curd. It’s light, radiant and refreshing, ideal for cutting through the richness of Christmas lunch. If Champagne can feel like sunlight, this is it.

Beloved by Churchill and still made in his honour, Pol Roger’s Brut Réserve is a benchmark for balance. Apple, pear and honeysuckle meet a creamy palate and long, dry finish. It’s immensely drinkable yet discreetly sophisticated, the kind of bottle you open before lunch and somehow never put down.

For those who like their bubbles with a touch of romance, Perrier-Jouët’s Grand Brut offers floral charm and a dash of art nouveau flair. The palate is light and graceful; blossom, honey and stone fruit — making it the perfect pour for a festive aperitif. Serve it chilled, and don’t skimp on the glassware.