Why do we celebrate special moments with champagne? This dates back to the start of the Champagne region. Champagne is known as “the wine of kings and the king of wines.” In 496 AD Clovis the King of the Francs converted to Christianity and was baptized in Reims by Saint Rémi he unified present day France. The ceremonial wine was from champagne and 26 other French Kings were crowned in Champagne . Champagne has been used to celebrate royal and political treaties, weddings, ships are christened with champagne, and motor race winners spray bottles of champagne upon winning. The best champagnes for celebrations are definitely the tête de cuvées or the prestige bottles. These are definitely going to be more expensive than an average bottle of champagne because they are anything but average. Here are my favorites that I had the pleasure of tasting in 2020.

Louis Roederer’s Cristal 2012

Cristal has always been a go to celebration champagne for me beginning with my college graduation. The Cristal 2012 is a blend of 60 Pinot Noir and 40 Chardonnay from Grand Cru vineyards. I actually thought when tasting there was more Chardonnay as it was so crisp, fresh and the acidity shined through. I realized after tasting that there is no MLF used which adds to the finesse of the champagne. The dosage is 7.5 g/l which is the lowest that has been used. My aromas candied almond, vanilla, tropical notes with a rich, round structure and complexity. This was the first vintage of Cristal that was made from all biodynamic vineyards.

You need this champagne for the holiday season (you deserve it after this year!) or buy now and save for that special occasion. You will not be disappointed. 

Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Millénaires 2004

Charles Heidsieck first debuted their prestige bottling with the 1983 vintage that was released to the market in 1993. The current vintages are the 2006 (just released) and the 2004. The Blanc de Millénaires is a Blanc de Blancs champagne made from Chardonnay from the villages of Côte des Blancs crus Cramant, Avize, Oger, Le Mesnil sur Oger, and Vertus. The 2004 was aged for 14 years before release. The house is very picky when deciding which vintages will be the best in terms of the Chardonnay having the perfect balance of acidity and sugar which depends on the growing season. The 2006 is only the sixth vintage from the house released again after 14 years in the cellars.

Champagne Henriot Cuvée Hemera 2005

I absolutely love this prestige bottling from Champagne Henriot. This is the first vintage of the Cuvée Hemera which is named after the Greek Goddess of day and night. The house created this new prestige cuvée to better reflect the future of the house style. It is a blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir from Grand Cru villages. Chardonnay grapes from the Côte des Blancs, specifically from Chouilly, Avize and Mesnil-sur-Oger. Pinot Noir grapes from the Montagne de Reims, from Mailly Champagne, Verzy and Verzenay. It goes through extensive aging on the lees (minimum of 12 years) and it is an Extra Brut Style with 5 g/l dosage. It is beautifully balanced with a finesse that is hard to match. It is full of fruit flavor, honey, citrus fruit (lemon), apricot, and a lovely champagne bouquet.

Rare Champagne 2006

Rare Champagne is a prestige bottling that creates both a Brut and a Rosé. I had the pleasure of trying the 2006 this year. The 2006 is the ninth vintage made.The 2006 is rich and complex. The champagne has structure and power and is full of tertiary aromas and flavors. The nose is full of honey and exotic spice (cardamom). Flavors are full of toasted brioche, baked apple and apricot. The champagne is a blend of Chardonnay (70%) from the vineyards located in Avize, Vertus, Villers-Marmery and Pinot Noir (30%) from Ambonnay and Aÿ. This champagne has a lovely acidity and opens up while drinking throughout the course of a meal.

A fun fact about this bottle is that the crown can be removed and used for fun! It is made by a Jeweler in Paris.

Champagne Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2007 or 2008

The prestige champagne from Champagne Taittinger is the Comtes de Champagne. The 2008 was released in the Fall of 2020 and the 2007 is readily available. I popped open the 2007 earlier in December when I found out that I passed the WSET III with Merit. This champagne is one of my favorites. It is a Blanc de Blancs style made with 100% Chardonnay from the Grand Cru Villages of the Côte des Blancs. The 2007 has a beautiful acidity, finesse and elegance. It is crisp and clean with aromas of green apple, dried lemon, dried floral, and a rich nuttiness. I am looking forward to trying the 2008 soon!

Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Elisabeth Brut Rosé 2007

Billecart-Salmon is known around the world for their Non Vintage Brut Rosé so it is no wonder that they make a prestige rosé named after one of the founders Elisabeth Salmon. The Brut Rosé 2007 is 50% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne and 50% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, blended with still Pinot from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. This champagne is rich and complex. There are red berries and dried orange peel aromas. The champagne goes through partial malolactic fermentation a signature of the house. This has a nice acidity and chalky mouthfeel. I popped open this champagne to celebrate my December birthday (My middle name is Elizabeth).

You can find this champagne at fine retailers. Currently unavailable at wine.com

The Perfect Glass for a Tete de Cuvée