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All the medallists from The Champagne Masters 2023

Find out all the medallists from this year’s Champagne Masters, featuring a set of outstanding bottles, from blanc de blancs to prestige cuvées, and, in particular, a set of good-value, ready-to-drink vintage offerings, including one remarkable sample from 1999 – which has only just been released.

For all the challenges facing Champagne – from grape price inflation to better rival sparkling wines – it’s a category in rude health. And while it’s tempting to think that Champagne’s strength stems from big budget promotions, as anyone with a passing interest in marketing will tell you, the most important aspect for long-term sales success is a good product. In other words, Champagne’s growth, despite some significant recent price rises, and a much-improved competitive set, has occurred because this French fizz is better than ever.

That’s certainly my impression from more than a decade of blind tasting Champagne, and certainly after this year’s Champagne Masters. In 2023, I found myself handing out a higher proportion of top scores than in the past, as I repeatedly tasted cuvées with depth and precision, flavour intensity with balancing freshness – and, I’m pleased to say, little in the way of greenness.

Of course, styles vary, and although my preference is for pristine fruit flavours allied to a nutty richness, I can see the quality in more oxidative styles, with their appealing notes of dried fruit and honey. Furthermore, while I like a certain creaminess in Champagne, I was surprised by the pleasure I took in the firmer feel of those producers who eschew malolactic fermentations: Lanson and Gosset in particular.

Indeed, riper base wines in Champagne may be favouring this approach to winemaking in the region – even if producers only opt to block the conversion of sharp-tasting malic acid to the softer lactic sort in a percentage of the blend.

And, on the subject of ripeness, yes, this is a function of warmer vintages, but also of better control of grape health through improved viticulture, along with the more
accurate monitoring of disease precursors in the region. Why? Because, without rot in the bunches, vignerons can harvest later – the pressure to pick in Champagne normally comes from the threat of disease.

In short, riper and cleaner base wines are yielding better cuvées, and this allows for lower dosages too, because you don’t need a lot of sugar to offset green notes – nor to mask unwanted flavours – if there  aren’t any. Hence, the Champagne of today is fuller, but drier too. And, in my view, that’s a good place to be.

It’s also worth noting that two of the top Brut NVs tasted were certified organic – a viticultural philosophy we were once told would be almost impossible to practise in Champagne, at least for anything mid-priced and in mainstream distribution, which both these cuvées are.

Over the following pages I’ve picked out some highlights from the competition, taking in a range of styles and producers. This year showed a high degree of quality in all categories, with the most improved style being blanc de noirs – Champagne without Chardonnay is hard to get right – and the most irregular being rosé, with some lovely wines, but also some high-priced disappointments. Elsewhere, there were some delicious blanc de blancs, with their citrus and chalk characters shining like stars on a clear night, and wonderfully indulgent prestige cuvées – a category of great quality, but also huge stylistic variation.

But the sub-category to go for in Champagne is undoubtedly vintage. Remarkable wines were unearthed among the single-harvest Champagnes this year, and from a broad range of years. These were Champagnes with toasty interest, precision and layers of fine fruit, from peach to pear, and apple to lemon, in order of increasing zestiness. Such sparkling wines offer great relative value – you get at least 50% more complexity and intensity than a Brut NV for 20% more in price. Furthermore, you get around 80% of the power and longevity of a great prestige cuvée for half the outlay.

Most notably, you get such quality for the same price as the more mundane rosés we tasted. And, while you might say they are prettier in the glass, be they pale salmon-pink or more like gravlax, in my view, there is nothing more inviting than the straw-gold colour of a mature vintage Champagne.

Finally, it was notable to see the range of producers who are making such a good job of the vintage sub-category, from the famous brands to lesser-known labels. At each extreme there were surprises. Somewhat niche grower-cooperative Castelnau was reliably excellent. But it was the region’s biggest Champagne maker, Moët & Chandon, that yielded the best vintage expressions of the competition.

So read on to see all the medallists from this year’s competition, and scroll to the bottom to learn more about The Champagne Masters, as well as find a list of links to our top picks.

Non-vintage

Winery Name of wine Vintage Dosage Medal
£10-£15
Aldi Veuve Monsigny No. III NV Brut Bronze
£15-£20
Aldi Veuve Monsigny Premier Cru NV Brut Silver
£20-£30
Champagne Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut Nature NV Brut nature Silver
Champagne Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut NV Brut Silver
Champagne Jean-Noël Haton Louis Régnier NV Brut Silver
Champagne Castelnau Champagne Castelnau Brut NV Brut Silver
Champagne Marie de Moy Brut NV Brut Silver
Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Blue Top Brut NV Brut Silver
Champagne Château De Bligny Grande Réserve NV Brut Silver
Champagne Victoire Premier Cru Brut NV Brut Bronze
Champagne Charles de Cazanove Tradition Brut NV Brut Bronze
Champagne G.H.Martel Prestige Brut NV Brut Bronze
Champagne Albert Lebrun Collection Terroir Premier Cru NV Brut Bronze
£30-£50
Champagne Castelnau Extra Brut NV Extra-brut Master
Champagne de Venoge Cordon Bleu Brut NV Brut Master
Champagne Collet Extra Brut Premier Cru NV Extra-brut Gold
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Organic Extra Brut NV Extra-brut Gold
Champagne Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée NV Brut Gold
G.H Mumm RSRV Cuvée 4.5 NV Brut Gold
Champagne Deutz Brut Classic NV Brut Gold
Champagne Charles de Cazanove Vieille France Brut NV Brut Gold
Champagne Canard-Duchêne P181 NV Extra-brut Silver
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Premier Cru Extra Brut NV Extra-brut Silver
Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel NV Extra-brut Silver
Champagne Collet Brut Art Déco Premier Cru NV Brut Silver
Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut NV Brut Silver
Champagne Lanson Le Black Label NV Brut Silver
G.H Mumm Cordon Rouge NV Brut Silver
Pommery Pommery Brut Royal NV Brut Silver
Champagne Collery Brut Grand Cru NV Brut Silver
Champagne Jacober The Royal British Legion Champagne Jacober Brut Reveille NV Brut Silver
Champagne Marie de Moy Premier Cru NV Brut Silver
Champagne Vollereaux Brut Réserve NV Brut Silver
Champagne Palmer & Co. Brut Réserve NV Brut Silver
Champagne Besserat de Bellefon depuis 1843 Besserat de Bellefon Bleu Brut NV Brut Silver
Champagne Vranken Demoiselle Brut E.O. NV Brut Silver
Champagne Gardet Brut Réserve Premier Cru NV Brut Silver
Champagne Boizel Brut Réserve NV Brut Silver
Champagne Telmont Réserve Brut NV Brut Silver
Champagne Delamotte Brut Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger NV Brut Silver
Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain NV Brut Silver
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut nv Brut Bronze
Champagne Vranken Vranken Diamant Brut NV Brut Bronze
Champagne Abelé 1757 Abelé 1757 Brut NV Extra-brut Bronze
£50-£70
Champagne Barons de Rothschild Concordia Brut NV Brut Gold
Champagne Gosset Grande Réserve NV Brut Gold
Champagne Henriot Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Gold
Champagne Gremillet Cuvée Evidence NV Brut Gold
Champagne Lanson Le Green Label Organic NV Brut Gold
Champagne Lanson Le Black Réserve NV Brut Silver
Champagne Vollereaux Célébration Premier Cru NV Brut Silver
Champagne de Venoge Princes Brut 1st Edition NV Brut Silver
Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Sublime NV Demi-sec Silver
£70-£100
Charles Orban Cuvée Roger Daltrey NV Brut Master
Champagne Drappier Trop m’en Faut NV Brut nature Gold

Vintage

Winery Name of wine Vintage Dosage Medal
£20-£30
Champagne Fallet Dart Millésime 2016 Brut Bronze
£30-£50
Champagne Gardet Millésime Extra Brut 2013 Extra-brut Master
Champagne Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut 2013 Brut Master
Champagne Victoire Gold 2017 Brut Silver
£50-£70
Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015 Brut Master
Champagne Lanson Le Vintage 2012 Brut Master
Piper-Heidsieck Vintage 2014 Brut Gold
Champagne Castelnau Vintage 2006 Brut Gold
Pommery Pommery Grand Cru 2009 Brut Gold
Champagne Charles de Cazanove Vieille France Silver 2007 Brut Gold
Champagne Besserat de Bellefon depuis 1843 Besserat de Bellefon Triple B 2015 Brut nature Silver
Champagne Canard-Duchêne V Vintage 2012 Brut nature Silver
G.H Mumm Mumm Millésimé 2015 Brut Silver
£70-£100
Champagne Deutz Brut Millésime 2016 Brut Master
Champagne Boizel Grand Vintage 2013 Extra-brut Gold
Champagne Gruet Sabatina Champagne 2016 Brut Gold
Champagne Palmer & Co. Grands Terroirs 2015 Brut Silver
£100+
Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Collection 1999 Brut Master
Champagne Collery Empyreumatic Grand Cru 2014 Brut Gold
Champagne de Venoge Louis XV 2014 Brut Gold
VIK La Piu Belle Champagne 2009 Brut Gold
Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Collection 2006 Brut Silver

Prestige Cuvée

Winery Name of wine Vintage Dosage Medal
£30-£50
Champagne Albert Lebrun Collection Terroir Grand Cru NV Brut Gold
Champagne G.H.Martel Prestige Premier Cru NV Brut Silver
Champagne Marie de Moy Grand Cru NV Brut Silver
Champagne Charles de Cazanove Stradivarius Gold 2009 Brut Silver
£50-£70
Champagne Château De Bligny Clos du Château NV Brut Silver
£70-£100
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d’Or Brut Vintage 2008 Brut Gold
Champagne Gremillet Clos Rocher 2013 Brut Silver
£100+
Rare Champagne Rare Millésime Magnum 2008 Brut Master
Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque 2014 Brut Master
Champagne Lanson Noble Champagne Brut Vintage 2004 Brut Master
Champagne Abelé 1757 Le Sourire de Reims Brut Vintage 2009 Extra-brut Master
Champagne Deutz Amour de Deutz 2013 Brut Gold
Rare Champagne Rare Millésime 2008 Brut Gold
Comtes de Dampierre Cuvée Prestige 2008 Brut Gold
G.H Mumm RSRV Cuvée Lalou 2008 Brut Bronze

Blanc de Blancs

Winery Name of wine Vintage Dosage Medal
£20-£30
Aldi Veuve Monsigny Vintage NV Brut Silver
Champagne Marie de Moy Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Silver
Champagne Charles de Cazanove Tradition Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Bronze
£30-£50
Champagne Charles de Cazanove Vieille France Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Master
Champagne Château De Bligny Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Gold
Champagne Brimoncourt Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Silver
£50-£70
Champagne Delamotte Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil-sur-Oger NV Brut Master
Champagne Pommery Apanage Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Gold
Champagne Castelnau Blanc de Blancs 2008 Brut Gold
Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Blanc de Blancs NV Extra-brut Silver
Champagne Besserat de Bellefon depuis 1843 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV Brut Silver
Champagne Collery Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV Brut Silver
Champagne Lanson Le Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Silver
Champagne Abelé 1757 Abelé 1757 Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Silver
Champagne Palmer & Co. Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Bronze
£70-£100
Champagne Ayala Le Blanc de Blancs 2016 Brut Gold
G.H Mumm RSRV Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2015 Brut Silver
Perrier-Jouet Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Silver
£100+
Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2012 Brut Master
Champagne Lanson Noble Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2004 Brut Gold

Blanc de Noirs

Winery Name of wine Vintage Dosage Medal
£15-£20
Champagne Fallet Dart Cuvée de Réserve NV Brut Silver
£20-£30
Champagne Albert Lebrun Collection Terroir Blanc de Noirs NV Extra-brut Gold
Champagne Joseph Perrier Côte à Bras Blanc de Noirs 2014 Brut nature Silver
Champagne Charles de Cazanove Senses NV Extra-brut Silver
Champagne Marie de Moy Blanc de Noirs NV Brut Silver
Champagne Charles Orban Blanc de Noirs NV Brut Silver
£30-£50
Champagne Charles de Cazanove Vieille France Blanc de Noirs NV Brut Silver
£50-£70
Champagne Collery Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru NV Brut Gold
Champagne Palmer & Co. Blanc de Noirs NV Brut Silver
Champagne Canard-Duchêne Charles VII Blanc de Noirs NV Brut Silver
£70-£100
G.H Mumm RSRV Cuvée Blanc de Noirs 2013 Brut Gold
Champagne de Venoge Princes Blanc de Noirs NV Brut Gold
£100+
Champagne Telmont Blanc de Noirs 2014 Extra-brut Gold

Rosé

Winery Name of wine Vintage Dosage Medal
£15-£20
Champagne Fallet Dart Anthocyane Tirage NV Brut Bronze
£20-£30
Champagne Jean-Noël Haton Louis Régnier Rosé NV Brut Silver
Champagne Marie de Moy Rosé NV Brut Bronze
£30-£50
Champagne Palmer & Co. Rosé Solera NV Brut Gold
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Rosé NV Brut Gold
Champagne Drappier Brut Nature Rosé NV Brut nature Silver
Champagne Lanson Le Rosé NV Brut Silver
Champagne Castelnau Rosé NV Brut Silver
Champagne Pommery Brut Rosé Royal NV Brut Silver
Champagne Château de Bligny Rosé NV Brut Silver
G.H Mumm Mumm Rosé NV Brut Silver
Champagne Charles de Cazanove Vieille France Rosé NV Brut Silver
Champagne Brimoncourt Rosé NV Brut Bronze
Champagne G.H.Martel Prestige Rosé NV Brut Bronze
Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Rosé Top Brut NV Brut Bronze
£50-£70
Champagne Besserat de Bellefon depuis 1843 Rosé Brut NV Brut Master
Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé NV Brut Gold
Piper-Heidsieck Rosé Sauvage NV Brut Gold
Champagne Deutz Brut Rosé NV Brut Gold
Champagne Collery Rosé Brut Grand Cru NV Brut Silver
Champagne Gosset Grand Rosé NV Brut Silver
G.H Mumm RSRV Cuvée Rosé Foujita NV Brut Silver
Champagne Telmont Réserve Rosé NV Brut Silver
Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé 2015 Brut Silver
£70-£100
Champagne Barons de Rothschild Rosé NV Brut Silver
Perrier-Jouet Blason Rosé NV Brut Silver
£100+
Rare Champagne Rare Rosé Millésime 2012 Brut Master
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d’Or Rosé Vintage 2008 Brut Gold
Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Rosé 2012 Brut Silver
Champagne Abelé 1757 Le Sourire de Reims Rosé Vintage 2008 Brut Bronze

Read more

The best vintage wines from The Champagne Masters 2023

The best Brut NVs from The Champagne Masters 2023

The best prestige cuvées from The Champagne Masters 2023

The best rosés from The Champagne Masters 2023

About The Champagne Masters

The Champagne Masters is a competition created and run by the drinks business, and is an extension of its successful Masters series for grape varieties, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as regions like Rioja and Tuscany. The competition is exclusively for Champagne, and the entries were judged using Schott Zwiesel Cru Classic glasses supplied by Sensible Wine Services. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Champagne Master.

The Champagnes were judged on 14 March at The COMO at London’s Halkin Hotel by Patrick Schmitt MW, Patricia Stefanowicz MW, Jonathan Pedley MW, Siobhan Turner MW, Demetri Walters MW, Neil Sommerfelt MW, Adam Porter MW, Andrea Briccarello and Matthieu Longuere MS.

Please visit The Global Wine Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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