Here is the best champagne for less than 20 euros, according to UFC-Que Choisir (a bottle for only 16 euros)

As the Christmas holidays approach, it is time to think about the New Year's Eve meal on December 24. Like every year, the champagne is an alcohol that holds a special place there. Unfortunately for our 2024 holiday budget, it is “difficult to find champagne for less than 20 euros” as the consumer association points out UFC-What to choosewhich independently analyzes consumer products. The fault in particular is the Champagne grapes used to make this sparkling wine, which are among the most expensive in the world, but also the 20% VAT on alcohol and the advertisements to promote the bottles of major champagne brands. Proof of this is, the best champagne large areas cost more! And paying the price doesn't always guarantee you avoid the worst champagne.

This is why the UFC-Que Choisir decided to test during a blind tasting 36 different champagnes, half of which cost less than 27 euros to define the best bottles of inexpensive champagne to drink during the end-of-year celebrations. To determine which ones to favor, these champagnes were tasted by a jury of experts composed in particular of sommeliers, wine merchants and oenologists who know how to recognize a good champagne. They made it possible to highlight 3 bottles of champagne for less than 20 euros which are perfect for the holidays, including a bottle with unbeatable value for money.

Best champagne for less than 20 euros: here are the best bottles of champagne for a good and inexpensive champagne

Rated 14/20 during the blind tasting, the champagne Carte d’Or Thiercelin is a champagne made from a blend composed of 60% meunier, 30% chardonnay and 10% pinot noir which offers a “taste performance” described as “outstanding” for a bottle sold for only 18 euros. This champagne with an intense pale yellow color offers an intense and gourmet nose with notes “pineapple, honey, candied strawberry, almond, pear, mirabelle plum and white flowers”. In the mouth, the deliciousness continues with a “velvety, ample and candied fruity material”.

Rated 13/20, the Champagne L'Ablutien Didier-Ducos is sold for 19.50 euros and displays a deep golden yellow color. When you smell it, it’s its notes of citrus, pineapple, almond, plum and blackcurrant that stand out, “in a slightly oxidative background noise”specifies the association. When tasted, it “shows fruity volume with crunch and pure, captivating juice. The finish brings length with a nice fruity melt and a subtle bitterness”provide comments following its tasting. Note that it is a perfect champagne for an aperitif and to accompany beef bourguignon, coq au vin or chicken.

Best inexpensive champagne: here is the bottle of champagne for less than 20 euros with the best value for money, according to UFC-Que Choisir

Finally, it is the 3rd highest rated bottle of champagne, which also obtains a score of 14/20, which stands out as the champagne for less than 20 euros with the best quality-price ratio: the raw champagne Pierre Courtois which is sold for only 16 euros.

This raw champagne, with a pale golden yellow color, reveals notes of mirabelle plum, quince, almond, strawberry, pear, with a minty freshness when smelled from the cup. Once in the mouth, “a lovely balanced and accessible pulp unfolds with opulence on a palate flattered by this gourmet harmony”.

Best champagne 2024: here are the other bottles of cheap champagne you can drink at Christmas

Less well rated than the others, but appearing in the selection of the best choices of the UFC-Que Choisir with a score of 12/20 during the blind tasting test, other bottles of champagne for less than 20 euros are also validated by the association.

• the raw champagne Johnny Lemaire sold for 17 euros per bottle
• the champagne brut Passion Gwenaël Mahé sold for 18 euros per bottle
• the Brut Champagne Tradition Blanc de Noirs Gérard Loriot sold for 18.89 euros per bottle

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