Fantastic fizz: 16 of the best cheaper Champagnes for 2024

Most people would agree that Champagne still reigns supreme when it comes to sparkling wines, in spite of the rise in people drinking prosecco and English sparkling wine. If you ask us, there’s no better way to celebrate a momentous occasion than by popping the cork off a bottle of bubbly, and it really is best if that bubbly is proper Champagne. 

Whether it’s right that Champagne is seen as a luxury in a way that other sparkling wines aren't isn’t for us to say, but Rome wasn’t built in a day and the Champenois have invested hundreds of years of time and money into educating consumers into the unique virtues of Champagne and protecting its name. And while it’s generally true that with luxury items like Champagne, you do tend to get what you pay for, that doesn’t mean anything under £50 is going to taste like hairspray – far from it –  which is where this guide comes in. 

We’ve taste tested our way through the best value Champagnes under £40 (cue jokes about what a tough gig this job is) and come up with this list of what we consider to be the best cheap Champagne on the market right now. And we’d like to stress that when we say ‘cheap’, we don’t mean low-quality or mediocre-tasting – this is SquareMeal after all – we mean affordable luxury for those who still want something wonderful to drink, without having hundreds to drop on a bottle of expensive Champagne. 

Most of the budget Champagnes in our round-up are non-vintage which, in case you’re wondering, means that the grapes used are from more than one year’s harvest, allowing the Champagne house to balance the flavours from one year to another and produce their signature house style. They are more commonly available, but not necessarily less flavourful than vintage Champagnes. As the proof of the pudding is always in the tasting, we recommend you check out as many of these bottles as your wallet allows.   

Best cheap Champagne 2024

These affordable Champagnes come from all sorts of retailers - supermarket and wine specialists both. You might even be able to get the price down if you're willing to buy a case at a time!

Pommery ‘Brut Royal’ Champagne

What: A lively and elegant flagship Champagne from the renowned Pommery house, this vibrant non-vintage offers a harmonious blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes from 40 selected villages in the Cote des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, amongst other areas of Champagne. Known for its rounded long finish, and small assertive notes of red fruits there’s no better way to whet your appetite.
Price: £34.99
Where to buy it: Waitrose

Searcys Selected Cuvee Brut Champagne

What: Yes, alright, you got us - at £50 this Searcys bottle sneaks in over the cap, but for the extra tenner it was worth including. This Selected Cuvée is firmly in the dry camp - an elegant and fruity pour with hints of white flower, sweet biscuit, and orchard fruits, accompanied by aromas of brioche and lemon zest. Aged on lees in Epernay, France, this Cuvée can be ordered online, or enjoyed at all of Searcys Brasseries, Bars and event venues (including Surveyor House, 116 Pall Mall, St Pancras Brasserie & Champagne Bar and many more).
Price: £50
Where to buy it: Searcys

Henriot Brut Souverain Champagne

What: A bone-dry blend made predominantly with Pinot Noir Meunier Chardonnay grapes, this non-vintage Champagne is rich in flavour, with notes of cooked apple, honeysuckle and brioche. As a result, it has a long finish on the palate and works just as well with food as it does on its own.
Price: £35.81
Where to buy it: The Wine Society

Champagne PIAFF Brut

What: A Champagne for the younger generation, Champagne PIAFF seeks to demystify the posh stuff with a stylish bottle and approachable flavour profile that leans on creamy brioche and crisp fruit notes. It's made from a blend of Pinot Noir (35%), Pinot Meunier (30%) and Chardonnay (35%) grapes and aged on lees for 24 months. Plus, if you want to give it as a gift, you can engrave the bottle with a special message. 
Price: £42
Where to buy it: Champagne PIAFF

Henri Chauvet Champagne Brut Blanc de Noirs

What: Made from 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier grapes, this crisp Champagne is a crowd-pleasing option that scores consistently high ratings online. Its biscuity flavour and fine mousse make it a bit of a guzzler for anyone who’s partial to a glass of Champers. And at less than 30 quid a bottle, you can’t go wrong.
Price: £29.95
Where to buy it: Private Cellar

Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne

What: This bottle of bubbles won’t be beaten on price, coming it at the criminally good value sum of 25 quid. But does it taste any good? Part of the Tesco Finest range, this all-rounder bottle impresses with a refreshing flavour palate of apple, brioche and citrus, which together pair well with fish, seafood or light canapes.
Price: £25
Where to buy it: Tesco

Waitrose Blanc de Noirs Champagne 

What: This Waitrose house Champagne is made purely of Pinot Noir (no Pinot Meunier, in this one) by a small house called Alexandre Bonnet who grow their own grapes in the southerly Aube region, and we reckon it takes the cake as the best supermarket Champagne around. The wine is packed with fruity richness and biscuity notes. It’s a ‘vin de plaisir’ rather than anything too serious, but deliciously refreshing. It has grip and persistence and is delicious with fish and chips. The sort of well-made but attractively priced fizz you always want to have chilling in the fridge.
Price: £27.99
Where to buy it: Waitrose

Heidsieck & Co Monopole 'Bronze Top' Brut Champagne

What: This fizz is from one of Champagne's oldest houses which boasts a stellar customer list including Tsar Nicholas II who, once a year, would fill two whole trains with the stuff, so the story goes. Its toasty nose gives way to a fresh, zippy palate of black fruits and citrus with an attractive yeastiness.
Price: £30
Where to buy it: Majestic

Piper Heidsieck NV Brut

What: If you’re looking for solid bargains in Champagne, it often pays to go with a respected name, and houses don’t come much more respected than Piper Heidsieck. The signature cuvee is elegant too, with some complex minerality on the palate and lots of dried stone fruit and some biscuit and pastry notes on the nose. The striking box makes a good present too!
Price: £39
Where to buy it: Tesco

Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut

What: Aldi’s wine buying has been widely praised in recent years, and you’ll struggle to find better Champagne at this price anywhere, even in sales. The Veuve Monsigny has a serious hype-train running behind it - it’s not quite as good as a big name bottle, but it’s zesty and toasty with a long finish. For £14.99, you really can’t go wrong.
Price: £14.99
Where to buy it: Aldi

Lanson Black Label Brut

What: This fine Champagne, that dates back to 1760, boasts plenty of finesse, pedigree and concentration that opens up with time in the glass. Its nose is accented with toasty richness interwoven with delicate flowers, and leads into a palate of round ripe fruit cut through with a citrus zip. A smooth texture and decent finish adds further appeal.
Price: £31.99
Where to buy it: Drink Supermarket

Tesco Finest Vintage Champagne

What: Tesco’s Finest Vintage Champagne has won so many accolades over the years that it just had to make it on our list of the best cheap Champagnes. Made from Chardonnay grapes alone, it’s crisp and dry with delightful citrus notes. 
Price: £30
Where to buy it: Tesco

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve NV

What: This best-selling retail wine ticks a lot of boxes. The palate is distinguished by notes of pear and apricot combined with toasty richness and a slight honeyed sweetness. A combination of ageing on lees and cellar-ageing adds complexity that you don’t always associate with Champagne at this price point.
Price: £24
Where to buy it: Tesco

Ayala Brut Majeur

What: Beautifully dry and fresh, Ayala’s delicately pale Brut Majeur fizzes with notes of citrus, apple and honey. It’s won plenty of awards for everything from its refreshing taste to its value for money and continues to be one of the most popular Champagnes for those looking to celebrate a special occasion without spending a fortune. Now owned by the Bollinger family, Ayala is a hidden treasure. 
Price: £32
Where to buy it: Master of Malt

Chateau De Bligny Grande Reserve NV

What: The deep golden hue of this Grande Reserve Champagne hints to the rich, creamy, biscuity notes within. Stone fruit and gingerbread come through on the nose too, making this ideal for anyone who loves a rich, luxurious, very drinkable Champagne.
Price: £26.99
Where to buy it: Laithwaites

Canard-Duchene Cuvée Léonie Brut NV

What: There’s a surprising depth and maturity about Canard-Duchene’s Cuvée Léonie – maybe on account of its decent slug of reserve wines – while attractive toasty and slightly spicy aromas lead into a palate that sparkles with bright, ripe orchard fruit. The Cuvée Léonie Collection has been crafted specifically to complement food and this wine certainly demonstrates great versatility with the likes of chicken, seafood and cheese.
Price: £33.80
Where to buy it: The Champagne Company

Drappier Premier Cru Champagne

What: Drappier’s Premier Cru is a bundle of class and good value thanks to its complex mix of pear, vanilla, and some rich toasty notes. It’s made up almost entirely of Pinot Noir grapes from the Côte des Bar, with a touch of Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay providing structure. A fuller-bodied wine that’s packed with moreish complexity, and is great with or without food. 
Price: £39
Where to buy it: Majestic

Prefer your Champagne with a little colour to it? Check out our guide to the best pink Champagnes. We've also rounded up all the best natural wines to buy in 2024 if you prefer a Pet Nat instead. 

Please note: Prices correct at time of writing