No other drink on Earth can capture the romance and euphoria of a single moment of celebration into such a tangible act as when the seal of a bottle of champagne is broken. The cork pops, the bubbles fizz and the wine bursts out of the bottle with the enthusiasm of lava erupting from Krakatoa. Like all great wines, champagne possesses the depth, character and prestige to command a special place on the dinner tables of many royals, celebrities and businessmen in the uppermost echelons of society. Because of its unparalleled position in the global wine market, this list focuses exclusively on sparkling wines from the Champagne region of France – no Cavas, Sekts or Spumantes here. Oh – and happy New Year! Hopefully you are able to enjoy some delicious champagne while reading this top 10 prestigious list.
Why These Top 10 Prestigious Bottles Matter
Each of the following bottles tells a story that blends history, rarity, and sheer opulence. From wartime anecdotes to underwater shipwreck discoveries, these champagnes are more than just beverages – they are liquid time‑capsules that have survived wars, voyages, and even the deep sea. Whether you are a seasoned collector or simply curious about the world’s most coveted fizz, these ten selections will give you a front‑row seat to the glittering world of champagne aristocracy.
10 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill
This very unique prestige cuvée was introduced in 1984 by Pol Roger, in honour of their most loyal and ardent customer, Sir Winston Churchill. From the moment he ordered his first case of the 1895 vintage in 1908, right up until his death in 1965, the former British Prime Minister insisted on drinking Pol Roger champagne at every occasion. He famously declared, borrowing a Napoleonic slogan, “In defeat I need it, in victory I deserve it.” His love affair with the wine deepened in 1944 when, at the British Embassy’s Armistice Day party in Paris, he met the stunning Odette Pol‑Roger, the grande dame of the family’s house. She began sending him a case of his favourite vintage each birthday. In the last decade of his life, Churchill worked his way through over 500 cases. After his death, every Pol Roger bottle bound for the U.K. received a black border around the label as a mark of respect. The Sir Winston Churchill cuvée mirrors the statesman’s personal style – rich, full‑bodied, and unmistakably bold. Retail price hovers around $215.
9 Moët & Chandon Dom Perignon White Gold
This massive 3‑liter Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon’s prestige cuvée, Dom Perignon, is aimed at the most flamboyant champagne aficionados who love to make a statement. The staggering price tag, starting at $11,200, is largely due to a plated white‑gold bottle sheath rather than the liquid itself. The 1995 vintage, of which only 100 were produced, is laser‑engraved with the Dom Perignon label and can be found at Harrods in London for just over £7,750 (about $12,000). The Jeroboam is four times larger than a standard bottle; by contrast, the more common 1999 Dom Perignon retails around $150. And for the record, it’s pronounced “mow‑ette,” not “mow‑eh.”
8 Krug Clos d’Ambonnay
Krug, one of the most exclusive champagne houses, unveiled this extraordinary Ambonnay cuvée in 2008. It breaks from Krug’s usual style – a non‑vintage blend of up to 50% reserve wines – by being produced from a single grape variety, single year, and single vineyard. Though preceded by the 1979 Clos du Mesnil, the Clos d’Ambonnay is a 100% Pinot Noir blanc de noirs, sourced from a tiny 0.685‑hectare Grand Cru vineyard near the village of Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims. Production is limited to just 3,000 bottles, with a price tag north of $2,500. The Krug family purchased the Ambonnay vineyard in 1984 but kept it secret for over two decades, finally revealing the 1995 vintage as the first release.
7 Perrier‑Jouët Belle Époque
For a limited time, this particular brand of bubbly offered an experience like no other. One hundred ultra‑wealthy clients from across the globe were invited to spend a day at Perrier‑Jouët’s headquarters, the Maison Belle Époque, to create their very own personal cuvée. Guided by the 7th Celler‑Master, Hervé Deschamps, each patron selected the perfect blend, after which twelve champagne bottles, designed by the exquisite artist Émile Gallé, were allocated a prime spot in the Maison’s cellar to age for several years. The complete sets sold for $50,000 each. As with Moët, the brand name is pronounced “zhew‑ette,” not “zhew‑eh.”
6 Krug 1928 Vintage
To illustrate significance, the exquisite 1928 vintage Krug was described by the Head of Sotheby’s Wine Department, Serena Sutcliffe, as “one of the greatest champagnes ever made.” In 2009, a standard‑size 75 cl bottle was taken from the “Krug Collection” – the family’s ultimate library – and auctioned in Hong Kong for $21,200. Earlier, in 2004, another bottle signed personally by brothers Henri and Remi Krug fetched $2,100 at a Sotheby’s auction in London. Joseph Krug, the patriarch, once said that engineering the 1928 vintage from the outstanding grape variety available at the time was among his greatest achievements. It was served to King George VI and his guests at the first royal banquet at Buckingham Palace after WWII, and featured at the great Millennium tasting of champagne in Sweden, 1999.
5 Louis Roederer 1990 Cristal Brut
Cristal, for many wine lovers, is the most opulent prestige cuvée. The most widely accepted origin story rests with the paranoia of Alexander II of Russia. In the late 19th century, fearing an assassination attempt using a dark‑glass bottle to conceal a weapon, he commissioned a Flemish glassmaker to create a clear, flat‑bottomed bottle. Because champagne bottles need a bell‑shaped bottom to withstand intense pressure, the glassmaker resorted to lead crystal, giving rise to the name “Cristal.” This heritage of royalty and exclusivity is reflected in the bottle’s presentation. A Methuselah (8 times the standard size) of the 1990 Cristal Brut Millenum cuvée sold in New York in 2005 for $18,800.
4 Heidsieck 1907 Diamant Bleu Cuvée
This vintage cuvée boasts serious history. During World I, the wooden freighter Jönköping was chartered to deliver fine spirits to the Imperial Court of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. On 3 November 1916, en‑route, the ship was struck by a projectile from the German submarine U‑22, causing it to sink and settle 67 metres below the Baltic Sea. Over 2,000 bottles of Heidsieck 1907 Diamant Bleu were aboard. The cold, dark, relatively low‑pressure environment of the sea floor preserved the bottles for over 80 years until divers discovered the wreck in 1997. Upon opening, the champagne was found to be delicious. The surviving bottles have been auctioned worldwide, averaging $3,700 each, making this a must‑have for serious collectors.
3 Swedish Shipwreck 168 Bottles
In July 2010, Swedish divers uncovered a collection of 168 champagne bottles on a shipwreck 55 metres below the Baltic Sea. Though the exact vintage is unknown due to extensive label damage, experts agree they likely date from the early 19th century. The frigid, dark conditions preserved the wine for over 150 years. Remarkably, tastings revealed the sparkling wine remained drinkable. Further examination in November 2010 identified three bottles from Veuve Clicquot Grand Marqué among the haul; the remainder were from the now‑defunct house Juglar. Local authorities plan to auction all bottles, with estimates exceeding $62,000 each.
2 Perrier‑Jouët 1825
Seventy feet underground, within Perrier‑Jouët’s cellars, lies a collection second to none on Earth. Since the early 19th century, the house has saved and stored its greatest vintages. In March 2009, twelve of the world’s top wine tasters were invited to a special tasting. Twenty bottles from different vintages were drawn from the cellar; among them was the 1825 Perrier‑Jouët, one of only three bottles known to exist. When cellarmaster Hervé Deschamps popped the cork, the tasters—including Michel Bettane—reported the fizz had largely faded, but the wine remained enjoyable, with distinctive truffle and caramel notes. Other vintages tasted included the 1846 and 1874, the latter still sparkling.
1 Veuve Clicquot 1893
In July 2008, while a locksmith was cutting a key for an antique piece of furniture at Torosay Castle in Scotland, a treasure chest of alcoholic delights was uncovered. The crown jewel was a bottle of 1893 Veuve Clicquot in near‑perfect condition, complete with its famous yellow hallmark label. Alongside the champagne were a bottle of claret, brandy, and a port decanter, suggesting the chest was a personal drinks cabinet locked since the late 19th century. Contact with the Veuve Clicquot house confirmed this was the only known bottle of its kind in existence. Valued as priceless, it now resides on display at the Veuve Clicquot visitor centre in Reims, France. By virtue of its singularity, this 1893 bottle stands as the most exclusive champagne in the world.