The best non-vintage Champagnes of 2024

Following the most-comprehensive Champagne-only ‘blind’ tasting in the UK – The Champagne Masters – we bring you the best non-vintage expressions from the competition, starting with an outstanding brut nature and finishing with a grand cru, Pinot-dominant cuvée from a new player in the appellation.

While the tasting takes in all styles of Champagne – and you can see the full list of medallists here – below we have picked out just the top-performing non-vintage (NV)* expressions, which represent the entry-point to the category, and, as a result, the largest area in terms of production.

For a full analysis on the nature of Champagne being made today, please read this year’s Champagne Report, but one aspect to this sparkling sector of the wine business that should be stressed here is that while the product has become markedly pricier in this decade, quality has gone up too.

Champagne Joseph Perrier, Cuvée Royale Brut Nature, NV

• Producer: Champagne Joseph Perrier
• Grape varieties: 62% Chardonnay, 24% Meunier, 14% Pinot Noir
• Abv: 12%
• Residual sugar: 0g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £47
• Medal: Gold

This brut nature has been aged for 72 months on the yeast lees and expresses this lengthy ageing with intense, buttery croissant and grilled toast. Pale lemon in colour with persistent bubbles and defined cordon, the wine is packed with yellow plum and apple fruits. Zero dosage, the mid-weight, textured palate is balanced by lively acidity and creamy mousse. With roundness and power, the wine will match cod steamed with lemon zest and sliced green olives stuffed with pimento. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Champagne Boizel Brut Réserve NV

• Producer: Champagne Boizel
• Grape varieties: 40% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 25% Meunier
• Abv: 12.5%
• Residual sugar: 9g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £35.00
• Medal: Gold

This lovely expression has a pale lemon colour and tiny bubbles, displaying crunchy fruit – strawberry, peach, apple – and an overtone of toast, plus an intriguing hint of lemongrass. Brut-style, the elegant, light-bodied palate has brisk acidity and crackling mousse texture. Well-defined, the wine has very good length across the palate and on the finish. Quite lemony in style, the wine will match butternut and watercress gnocchi with purple and green basil, finished with a sprinkle of freshly-grated Parmigiano cheese. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Champagne Duval-Leroy Fleur de Champagne Premier Cru Brut NV

• Producer: Champagne Duval-Leroy
• Grape varieties: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
• Abv: 12.0%
• Residual sugar: 9g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £63.00
• Medal: Gold

Fleur de Champagne was the first premier cru Champagne produced after the introduction of the Échelle des Crus over 100 years ago. Pale lemon in hue with tiny bubbles and a narrow cordon, the aromas show yellow plums and buttered toast with hedgerow and white flower accents. Brut-style, light and lemony, the wine lives up to its ‘fleur’ name, with concentrated flavours balanced by racy acidity and velvet-textured mousse, good definition and a lifted finish. Perfect for a summer garden party, the wine would also work nicely for a sophisticated dinner party vegetarian dish, such as potato galette with baby vegetables in saffron, thyme and lime butter sauce. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Champagne Pommery Brut Royal NV

• Producer: Champagne Pommery
• Grape varieties: 34% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Meunier
• Abv: 12.5%
• Residual sugar: 9g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £45
• Medal: Gold

This Champagne, an English favourite, is delightful. Pale lemon-green in hue with persistent bubbles, the wine shows intense, fresh yeast overlaying green apple and spring blossoms. Brut-style and light-bodied, the palate has bracing acidity and creamy mousse supporting the flavours. Beautifully integrated, sappy and with gastronomic tendencies, this wine is a superb accompaniment to Japanese tempura, or lightly-battered soft-shell crab. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Champagne Piper-Heidsieck, Cuvée Brut NV 

• Producer: Champagne Piper-Heidsieck
• Grape varieties: 50% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, 30% Meunier
• Abv: 12%
• Residual sugar: 8g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £35.00
• Medal: Gold

Assembled under the direction of Emilien Boutillat, the current standard bearer of this long-established House is exemplary. Pale lemon-yellow in hue with tiny persistent bubbles, the wine exhibits golden apple, pomegranate and strawberry fruit with toast autolysis overlay. Brut in style (8g/l dosage), the palate flavours show good concentration and medium weight supported by racy acidity and brittle mousse texture. An integrated wine with good length, this is a superb partner for soft-shell crabs with a delicate aioli sauce. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Champagne Castelnau Brut NV

• Producer: Champagne Castelnau
• Grape varieties: 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 12%
• Residual sugar: 8g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £36
• Medal: Gold

A perennial top performer in our Champagne Masters, Castelnau’s non-vintage expression has all the delicious characters of long-lees aged fizz allied to the flavours one gets from a blend of wines from different vintages as well as vineyards across the appellation. That means a complementary mix of creamy coffee-like notes and hazelnuts, then ripe apple, dried peach and honeycomb, followed by a gently bitter, zesty finish, featuring matchsticks and marzipan. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Champagne de Venoge, Princes Brut 2nd edition

• Producer: Champagne de Venoge
• Grape varieties: 31% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir,34% Pinot  Meunier
• ABV: 12%
• Residual sugar: 5g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £70
• Medal: Gold

A second edition of a new cuvée from Champagne de Venoge, launched two years ago to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the coronation of King Louis XV of France. It is a fine and complex non-vintage fizz, with a creamy texture, and ripe as well as mature flavours, from Comice pear to juicy lemon, as well as caramel and grilled nuts, and then a note of roasted coffee bean and bitter grapefruit pith to bring a refreshing edge on the finish. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Champagne Lanson, Le Black Réserve

• Producer: Champagne Lanson
• Grape varieties: Pinot Noir 50%, Chardonnay 35%, Pinot Meunier 15%
• ABV: 12.5%
• Residual sugar: 7g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £57
• Medal: Gold

Lanson’s non-vintage Champagnes just keep getting better, and this ‘Réserve’ expression sits at the top. While certainly fresh in style, with a firm acid finish, featuring a mouth-watering note of sour apple (Lanson blocks the malo-lactic fermentation), there is a mid-palate depth and richness to this Champagne – a result of extended lees-ageing and ripe-fruit sourcing – with notes of brown bread and white-fleshed peach, along with a touch of Brazil nut and crushed chalk. A fizz for those like their wines dry and zesty, as well as ones that could cellar well. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Duval-Leroy, Brut Réserve

• Producer: Duval-Leroy
• Grape varieties: 60% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier 10% Chardonnay
• ABV: 12%
• Residual sugar: 7g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £49.99
• Medal: Gold

A really impressive Brut NV with an appealing Malt Whisky-like smokiness on the nose and a palate with depth and freshness. Flavours are myriad, with notes of coffee and hazelnut, bitter lemon and chalk, and while the texture is creamy, the finish is fresh and bone dry. A really good Brut NV that has the nutty richness from extended ageing on the lees. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Champagne Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Blue Top Brut NV  

• Producer: Champagne Heidsieck & Co.
• Grape varieties: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier, 20% Chardonnay
• Abv: 12.0%
• Residual sugar: 10g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Closure: Champagne Cork
• Approx. retail price: £34.00
• Medal: Gold

A very old Champagne House, Heidsieck was founded in 1785 by Florens-Louis Heidsieck from Germany. The Heidsieck Champagnes were widely distributed internationally in the early years of the 20^th century, often sold with alluring Art Nouveau advertisements, including a beautiful one (1901) by the extremely well-known Czech artist, Alfonse Mucha. After a number of name-changes and ‘spin-offs’, Heidsieck Monopole is today a fine quality House based in Reims. This expression continues the tradition of ‘La Belle Époque’. Pale lemon-hued with minuscule bubbles, the wine exhibits richness of yellow fruits and creamy autolysis. Brut style, the light-bodied palate is elegant and linear structured with brisk acidity and satin mousse texture. Delicate and lingering, the wine is perfect for oysters-on-the-half-shell or in a Champagne-cream sauce.  [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]

Champagne Brimoncourt Extra Brut NV

• Producer: Champagne Brimoncourt
• Grape varieties: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
• Abv: 12.5%
• Residual sugar: NA
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £50.00
• Medal: Gold

Brimoncourt believes in producing a lively, creative brand, inspired by the free spirit of CEO Alexandre Cornot, a trained lawyer and ‘a charming dissenter’. Produced with grapes from Aÿ, this expressive wine displays a pale lemon-yellow hue with tiny bubbles. Brioche and toast accent the yellow plum, apple, peach and strawberry fruit. Extra Brut style (2g/l r.s.), the mid-weight palate is balanced by racy acidity and brittle mousse. Beautifully-defined, lengthy with an intriguing floral note, the wine is perfect for impromptu celebrations or a plâteau des fruits de mers at a Parisian brasserie. [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]

Champagne Barons de Rothschild Concordia Brut NV

• Producer: Champagne Barons de Rothschild
• Grape varieties: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
• Residual sugar: 6g/l
• Abv: 12.5%
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £60.00
• Medal: Gold

Owned by three branches of the famous Bordelais Rothschild family, the House focusses on the finest quality Champagnes. This wine is comprised of 40% Reserve wines and aged on the lees for a minimum of 4 years. Pale gold in colour with small bubbles, the aromatics show pear, nectarine and preserved apricots accented by buttered toast and tea biscuits. Brut style (6g/l r.s.), the palate flavours are supported by lively acidity and brittle mousse texture. A well-defined, linear style with good length, the wine will be excellent with seared turbot with an amandine sauce. [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]

Champagne Drappier Carte d’Or NV

 

• Producer: Champagne Drappier
• Grape varieties: 80% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay, 5% Meunier
• Abv: 12.0%
• Residual sugar: 6.5g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £47.00
• Medal: Gold

This wine is benchmark ‘multi-vintage’ Champagne. Medium yellow-gold in hue with persistent bubbles and a narrow cordon, the aromatics show rich and ripe fruit—golden apples and red berries—and buttered toast autolysis. Brut-style, the medium-bodied palate has racy acidity and crackling mousse texture to support the concentrated yellow and red fruit flavours and toasty notes. Lingering finish, a delicious drink. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Gardet Brut Réserve Premier Cru

• Producer: Champagne Gardet
• Grape varieties: ⅓ Pinot Noir, ⅓ Meunier, ⅓ Chardonnay
• Abv: 12.0%
• Residual sugar: 6g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £36
• Medal: Gold

A generous, good-value and creamy-textured non-vintage Champagne with layers of ripe fruit flavours from white peach to red berries allied to notes of baked bread, shortcrust pastry and butter biscuits. While broad and juicy there’s also a zesty edge, with notes of citrus peel on the finish, along with a dry, chalky taste and sensation. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Champagne Palmer Brut Reserve NV

• Producer: Champagne Palmer & Co.
• Grape varieties: 51% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 19% Meunier
• Abv: 12%
• Residual sugar: 7g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £50
• Medal: Gold

Champagne Palmer was established in 1947 and is based in Reims. Most of the 200 hectares of vines are in the Montagne de Reims, where all are classified as Premiers and Grands Crus, giving elegance and balance. Pale lemon in hue, with tiny bubbles, the wine has pear and apricot fruit with fresh lemon zest overlay and brioche autolysis. Brut style, the light-bodied palate is framed by brisk acidity and brittle mousse texture with lengthy Chardonnay-dominated finish. A delight to consider drinking with lemon sole meunière. [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]

Champagne Collet Brut Art Déco NV  

• Producer: Champagne Collet
• Grape varieties: 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Meunier
• Abv: 12.5%
• Residual sugar: 10g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £44.99
• Medal: Gold

Raoul Collet founded the Champagne Collet brand in 1921 in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. The spirit of the ‘Roaring 20s’ lives on at Maison Collet and is reflected in its rich heritage and its Art Deco-inspired style and design. Exhibiting a pale lemon colour and tiny bubbles with golden apples, this wine shows a hint of white cherry and fresh bread autolysis. Brut-style, the mid-weight palate has well-defined flavours supported by crisp acidity and crackling mousse texture and a touch of spice on the long finish. This gastronomic wine, with excitement and elegance in every sip, will match top-quality tiger prawns, Asian-style or seared calamari with a gently spicy red pepper sauce. [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]

Champagne Canard-Duchêne Cuvée Léonie Brut NV

• Producer: Champagne Canard-Duchêne
• Grape varieties: 45% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Meunier
• Abv: 12.0%
• Residual sugar: 7g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £50.00
• Medal: Gold

Victor Canard, a cooper, and Léonie Duchêne, the daughter of a vigneron, founded this House in 1868 in their village of Ludes in the Montagne de Reims. As expected, even today, the wines are dominated by Pinot Noir red berry fruit, with Chardonnay giving freshness and Meunier adding roundness. Pale lemon-green coloured with tiny bubbles and a narrow cordon, the wine displays strawberry and cranberry, green apples and pineapple, a hint of dried flowers and gentle fresh white bread. Brut-style, with the light-bodied palate is supported by zippy acidity and satin-textured mousse. A touch of pain d’épice adds interest across the palate. A lovely wine to match canapés or oysters with sauce échalote and fresh lemon. [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]

Champagne Lallier Champagne R.020 Multi-Vintage Brut  

• Producer: Champagne Lallier
• Grape varieties: 49% Pinot Noir, 51% Chardonnay
• Abv: 12.5%
• Residual sugar: NA
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £35.00
• Medal: Gold

Created by René Lallier in 1906 and located in the only Grand Cru of the Vallée de la Marne, Aÿ, Champagne Lallier uses grapes from Aÿ, other Grands Crus in the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs and Premiers Crus in the Côte des Blancs with some grapes from the Aube in the commune of Gyé–sur-Seine. This Réflexion blend is based on 2020, hence the R.020 branding, with reserve wines from 2019 and 2018. For the first time in its history, Réflexion is dominated by Chardonnay rather than Pinot Noir. Pale lemon-green in hue with tiny bubbles and narrow cordon, the aromatics have Granny Smith apples, yellow peach and a hint of wild strawberry with brioche and fresh bread accents. Brut-style (7g/l dosage), the palate is really fresh and light, the elegance of the fruit balanced by lively acidity and brittle mousse texture. Plenty of interest and a long, lifted finish.  A good choice for simple, seared freshly-caught fresh-water trout. Or just to sip and savour. [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]  

Champagne Albert Le Brun Collection Terroir Premier Cru NV

• Producer: Champagne Albert Le Brun
• Grape varieties: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
• Abv: 12.5%
• Residual sugar: 6g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £25.00
• Medal: Gold

Mid-straw in colour with a powerful mousse, the wine is youthful with yellow and green apple fruit accented with biscuit and toast autolysis. Medium-bodied with lively acidity and flavourful fruit, the wine is expressive, especially on the finish. The Le Brun estate was founded in the village of Avize in 1860 by Leon Le Brun, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs area. Today the family-owned tradition is well kept by the descendants of Leon Launois. This wine, dominated by Chardonnay, displays a pale lemon-yellow hue and well-defined cordon with yellow peach, golden apple and strawberry fruit with an undertone of brioche and an overlay of lemon zest. Brut style, the light-bodied palate is framed by bracing acidity and velvet-textured mousse. Nicely defined, the wine will match classic French onion tart. [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]

Champagne Lombard Extra Brut NV  

• Producer: Champagne Lombard
• Grape varieties: 35% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier, 35% Chardonnay
• Abv: 12.5%
• Residual sugar: NA
• Vintage: NV
• Closure: Champagne Cork
• Approx. retail price: £35.00
• Medal: Gold

Champagne Lombard was established in 1925 by Robert Andrieu, was continued by his son-in-law Philippe Lombard and since 1975 has been run by his grandson Thierry Lombard. The House owns 6 ha of certified organic vineyards, mostly Premier Cru, on the western side of the Montagne de Reims and purchases grapes from their grower-partners. The focus is on vinifying individual lieux dits to allow for a maximum of blending options for the base wines. Pale lemon-green in hue with small bubbles, the wine shows green fruits and white peach, accented by fresh yeast and floral notes.  Extra-Brut in style, the palate has well-integrated dosage, lively acidity, satin textured mousse and a long finish. A delicate, linear style of wine to suit asparagus, white mushroom and green pea risotto or Chinese dim sum. [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]

Champagne Vieille France Brut NV

• Producer: Champagne Vielle France
• Grape varieties: 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier
• Abv: 12.5%
• Residual sugar: 8g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Approx. retail price: £30.00
• Medal: Master

Produced by Charles de Cazenove, a 200-year old House based in Reims, this Champagne is marvellous.  Pale gold in colour with persistent small bubbles, the wine exhibits green and golden apples, peach and white flowers, accented by buttery croissant. Brut-style and mid-weight, the flavours are supported by lively acidity and ‘crackling’ mousse texture. Layered, complex and lingering, this beautiful, fully mature, expressive wine will pair nicely with gently spiced Crab Louis. [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]

Champagne Collery Brut Grand Cru NV

• Producer: Champagne Collery
• Grape varieties: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
• Abv: 12.0%
• Residual sugar: 7g/l
• Vintage: NV
• Closure: Champagne Cork
• Approx. retail price: £50.00
• Medal: Master

The noble terroir around Aÿ is a UNESCO World Heritage site on a magnificent hillside backed by the Montagne de Reims. The soils are clay on the top, chalk in the steep areas and deeper, stony colluvial soils in the lower part. This stunning wine shows a very pale lemon-gold colour, tiny bubbles and a narrow cordon. Yellow plum, peach, pear and strawberry fruit flavour is accented by grilled bread autolysis and a touch of tomato leaf. Brut-style, the mid-weight palate has exceptional concentration framed by brisk acidity and satin-textured mousse with a lingering, lifted finish. Really attractive and gastronomic, the wine will match pork loin stuffed with onion and chanterelles. [Patricia Stefanowicz MW]

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Champagne Masters provides a chance for your wines to shine. The 2024 competition was judged on 21 March at COMO The Halkin in London, employing experienced judges, who were: Elliot Awin, Antony Moss MW, Patrick Schmitt MW, Patricia Stefanowicz MW, Tim Tiptree MW, Andrea Briccarello, Matthieu Longuère MS, Neil Sommerfelt MW, David Round MW.

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. This report features the medal winners only. 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

Read more

All the medallists from The Champagne Masters 2024

the drinks business Champagne Report 2024

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