Exceptional Champagnes for Every Occasion

Words by Emilie Dock

We can all agree that celebrations, big or small, call for bubbles. As Oscar Wilde wisely put it, “Pleasure without Champagne is purely artificial.” The question, then, isn’t should we pop a cork, but which bottle is best? With this in mind, our resident Champagne buyer, Alice Archer, has handpicked a toast-worthy selection to suit every occasion – whether it’s an impromptu indulgence, a milestone moment or a truly showstopping party.

For the finer points of drinking fizz, from the difference between Brut and Doux to the maisons to know, explore The Harrods Guide to Champagne.  

Champagne isn’t just for grand toasts and glittering parties – it’s a pleasure worth savouring in smaller moments too. Non-vintage (NV) bottles, blended across multiple harvests to maintain a house style, offer a more accessible way to enjoy its effervescence any day of the week.

Hosting a cheese and wine soirée? Pour a glass of Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial NV, now reimagined in a chic new bottle by musician and fashion visionary Pharrell Williams. Its crisp, fruity notes perfectly complement mild, creamy cheeses like Brie, while its striking design adds elegance to your table. If you prefer something drier with mineral flavours, with a chalky sensation, Delamotte Blanc de Blancs NV is a refreshing match for crispy, golden fish and chips.

For a dinner party, Harrods Premier Cru NV – an elegant blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – offers a harmonious balance of freshness and complexity. With bright orchard fruit, delicate brioche notes and a refined minerality, it pairs beautifully with everything from pan-seared scallops to roast chicken and creamy truffle risotto.

For a milestone moment, like an engagement, wedding anniversary or big birthday, only a prestige or special vintage Champagne will do. Crafted from a single exceptional harvest rather than a blend of years, these top-tier cuvées undergo extended ageing, sometimes for over a decade, to develop extraordinary depth, complexity and an exquisitely fine mousse.

Among the most revered prestige Champagnes, Dom Pérignon Vintage 2015 is a standout. Its ethereal profile opens with roasted and cocoa notes, before flooding the palate with a balance of white flowers and orchard fruit.

For something even rarer, Louis Roederer Cristal Vinothèque Rosé 1999 is the result of two decades of meticulous ageing. Vibrant and almost electric in its intensity, it opens with delicate floral notes of hawthorn, citrus and redcurrant, followed by richer layers of toasted brioche and roasted cocoa. The bubbles unfold softly, revealing a nectar-like density that finishes with a precise limestone freshness.

Formula 1 ensures its winners have Jeroboams (3 litres) of Champagne on the podium. Why? Because there’s something inherently celebratory about an extra-large bottle of fizz. But for sipping (rather than spraying), a 1.5-litre magnum is the perfect choice and much easier to pour.

Bollinger Special Cuvée NV Magnum is a bold, toasty option, brimming with rich brioche notes and a creamy texture. For those seeking a vintage touch, Dom Pérignon 2012 Magnum offers an exquisite balance of tension and elegance, with layers of white stone fruit, citrus and subtle spice.

We shouldn’t judge books by their covers – but let’s be honest, we all do, don’t we? That’s why, when gifting Champagne, paying special attention to the presentation will add a certain je ne sais quoi to an already fantastic gift.

As pretty bottles go, Perrier-Jouët’s Belle Epoque line takes the crown. Named after France’s Golden Age in the 19th century, it’s beautifully adorned with hand-drawn Japanese anemones, thanks to Art Nouveau artist Émile Gallé.

Founded in 1729, Ruinart may be the world’s first Champagne house, but its innovative spirit shines through in its commitment to sustainability. The brand has crafted an entirely recyclable paper bottle case made from wood fibres, its textured surface mimicking the underground caves where its precious wine is aged.

Then, of course, there’s the Harrods Champagne Duo Hamper. Who wouldn’t want to lift the lid on not one but two bottles of exquisite Champagne nestled in a beautiful wicker basket?

When selecting a bottle of Champagne, there’s a temptation to choose the familiar – Veuve, Bolly, Krug and Moët. But if you’re thirsting for the unknown or the rare, consider these bottles.

In the world of blanc de noirs, a Billecart-Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire vintage is a 50-carat diamond – extraordinarily rare, meticulously crafted and dazzlingly complex. Never heard of it? You’re forgiven. It comes from a single-hectare plot that meets exacting standards: an enclosed, unbroken parcel with complete vinification on-site. No more than 3,500 to 7,500 bottles are produced per vintage, and the 2005 rewards those who secure one with a cuvée of remarkable depth and elegance, where rich, ripe fruit meets a surprising minerality.

Then there’s the Frerejean Frères Cuvée des Hussards 2008. In 2018, bottles of this vintage were plunged 60 metres beneath the sea off the coast of Brittany, where the cool, stable temperatures and gentle ocean currents created the perfect conditions for maturation. The result? A Champagne with an extraordinary purity, fine bubbles, and a whisper of salinity.