This blog isn’t about calling out Champagne for being expensive. Good wine costs money. Time, farming, craftsmanship, and aging all matter. But there’s a difference between premium Champagne and overpriced Champagne, and that’s what we’re here to unpack.

There’s a strange comfort in picking a Champagne brand you know. The gold label, the familiar name, the price tag that says “this must be good.” But not all expensive bottles deliver on their promise. Some rely more on marketing than on winemaking, and others are simply coasting on reputation.

Let’s separate the status buys from the smart buys.

What Makes Champagne Overpriced (and How to Spot It)?

It’s not just the number on the label. ..here’s what makes a bottle of overpriced Champagne easy to identify.

  • The quality doesn’t match the cost
  • The experience isn’t significantly better than cheaper alternatives
  • You’re paying more for branding than flavour
  • The wine feels flat, unbalanced, or mass-produced
  • There are grower or boutique options doing it better for less

You don’t need to spend £100 to get incredible Champagne. And you certainly don’t need to pay it for the wrong bottle.

Bottles We’d Think Twice About

We’re not here to trash producers, these houses have their place. But if you’re buying for taste, value, and experience, here are a few bottles that might not live up to their hype.

🥂 Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial (£45 – £55)

It’s the best-selling Champagne in the world, but also one of the safest. Clean, neutral, and hard to fault, but also hard to remember. At £50, you can find bottles with more character and depth.

Swap for: Pierre Gimonnet Cuis 1er Cru or Leclerc Briant Brut Reserve

🥂 Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut (£50–£60)

Recognisable and photogenic, but often criticised for being overly sweet and lacking freshness. Some batches feel tired, especially if the wine has sat on a supermarket shelf for too long.

Swap for: Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve or any good Crémant de Bourgogne

🥂 Dom Pérignon (£200+)

Yes, it’s a classic. And in the right vintage, it can be excellent. But is it consistently £200 better than a top grower Champagne or a vintage Pol Roger? Not always. Much of the price is prestige.

Swap for: Egly-Ouriet Brut Grand Cru or Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François

🥂 Armand de Brignac “Ace of Spades” (£300 – £600)

A celebrity-backed showpiece, heavily styled and unapologetically flashy. But under the bling lies a bottle that doesn’t quite match the price. At £500, you’re in serious wine territory. This one’s more branding than brilliance.

Swap for: Krug Grande Cuvée or Taittinger Comtes de Champagne

🥂 Lanson Black Label Brut (£40 – £50)

Popular and widely available, but stylistically sharp, sometimes aggressively acidic, and rarely memorable. The house style doesn’t undergo malolactic fermentation, which keeps things very lean, too lean for some.

Swap for: Louis Roederer Brut Premier or Laherte Frères “Ultradition”

What You Should Pay For

There’s nothing wrong with splashing out, but do it for the right reasons. Look for:

  • Vintage expressions with real aging
  • Grower Champagne from small estates
  • Organic or biodynamic practices
  • A clear sense of style and terroir
  • Wines that evolve in the glass

You can get more flavour, more finesse, and a better experience from a £35 grower bottle than a £60 supermarket grande marque.

Smart Buys Under £45

Want to drink Champagne that feels worth every penny? Try these:

  • Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve – layered and polished
  • Drappier Carte d’Or Brut – full of fruit and charm
  • Gaston Chiquet Tradition Brut – a grower gem
  • Bonnaire Blanc de Blancs Brut – creamy, citrus-driven, perfect for food

Final Sip: Prestige Isn’t Always a Good Pour

It’s easy to grab what looks fancy. Champagne is a celebration drink, and sometimes branding does the heavy lifting. But if you’re reading this blog, chances are you want your bottle to do more than just look good.

Drink Champagne that tastes like something. Skip the ones that coast on their label. There’s too much good wine out there to waste your money on bubbles that don’t deliver.