From starter to dessert, here are 12 exceptional champagnes for a festive meal

Champagne is at the pinnacle of exceptional wine appellations. The richness of the terroirs, the variety of grape varieties and the singularity of the vintages offer a rare complexity. In this festive season, when most French people toast with bubbles, Le Guide Jaune offers a selection of 12 cuvées. These champagnes, for the most part from the Livre des Champagnes, are among the 1,394 cuvées selected blind by a committee of experts throughout the year.

Our best champagnes for the Christmas aperitif

For the aperitif, the star is likely to be a "Brut sans année", also known as BSA. The star cuvée of Champagne growers and houses, it usually offers the best value for money. Our Top 3 are from the Livre des Champagnes 2024.

Champagne Robert Barbichon, Réserve 4 cépages

Tasting notes: fresh, chiselled palate, marked by creamy bubbles. The acidity is perfectly controlled by the dosage, leading the wine to a salivating, slightly saline finish. All the ingredients of a great champagne.

• Website: www.champagne-barbichon.fr
• Rating: 96/100
• Price: 35-40 euros

Champagne R. Pouillon, La Grande Vallée

Tasting notes: a clean attack on the palate, marked by a basket of redcurrants and raspberries. A vinous champagne with a dosage that perfectly accompanies the acidity. The finish is taut, with magnificent length. A cuvée of the highest quality.

• Website: www.champagne-pouillon.com
• Rating: 95/100
• Price: 45-50 euros

Champagne Devaux, Cuvée D

Tasting notes: the effervescence is initially intense, then quickly fades. on tasting, white-fleshed fruit and ripe citrus aromas emerge. The palate is fresh and the dosage perfectly integrated. The finish is salivating and saline. We'll be back for more!

• Website: www.champagne-devaux.fr
• Score : 94/100
• Price: 46.05 euros

3 champagnes for a scallop-based starter

During the festive season, there are some unmissable starters, and scallops are one of them. We propose a pairing of three "blanc de blanc" champagnes with the recipe of chef Philippe Coco of the restaurant l'Envol. It's entitled: Saint-jacques, smoked Jerusalem artichoke mousseline, Colonnata bacon, yuzu emulsion.

Champagne Chavost, Blanc de Chardonnay

Tasting notes: The palate is out of the ordinary, with a bouquet of white flowers dominated by honeysuckle, combined with a lovely roundness that envelops the entire mouth. The finish is taut with yellow fruit. A gastronomic champagne.

• Website: www.champagne-chavost.com
• Score : 95/100
• Price: 69 euros

Champagne Gosset, Grand Blanc de blanc

Tasting notes: On the palate, this is a combination of ripe white fruit notes. The dosage is perfectly integrated with an impression of greediness. The bubbles are elegant, with a fine tension on the finish. Everything you'd expect from a blanc de blanc.

• Website: www.champagne-gosset.com
• Score : 95/100
• Price: 72 euros

Champagne Christian Senez, La cuvée des filles

Tasting notes: fine, elegant bubbles with a delicate bouquet of flowers and citrus fruit. The finish is long, saline and salivating. A magnificent champagne with unbeatable value for money!

• Website: www.champagne-senez.com
• Score: 95/100
• Price: 28 euros

3 champagnes to accompany duck dishes at Christmas

Duck in all its forms is a must-have for the festive season. For this Christmas meal, we suggest three blanc de noir vintage champagnes to match the recipe of chef Guillaume Roget of the Ekaitza restaurant. The recipe is entitled: Foie chaud de canard, langoustine, smoked fennel, orange & candied ginger. An expert idea that's sure to inspire you.

Champagne Louis Brochet, l'Extra noir 2015

Tasting notes : When tasted, this champagne is vinous, blending pastry and roasted aromas to which black pepper can be added. A champagne of character and gastronomy that will hold its own with a land-sea dish.

• Website: www.champagne-brochet.com
• Rating: 96/100
• Price: 70 euros

Champagne Jacquesson, Aÿ Vauzelle Terme 2013

Tasting notes : the bubbles are creamy and velvety with a rare complexity. First we perceive oxidative notes, then we have pastry aromas like brioche and almond cream and brioche and on the finish quince and plum. The finish is full of tension, with a bitter aftertaste. A great wine! It's ready for the table!

• Website: www.champagnejacquesson.com
• Score: 98/100
• Price: 200-250 euros

Christophe Mignon ADN de Meunier 2016

Tasting notes: splendid champagne with notes of pear and ripe white fruit. The bubbles are pronounced with a nicely bitter finish and lemony notes. So good!

• Website: www.champagne-christophe-mignon.com
• Rating: 93/100
• Price: 30-40 euros

3 champagnes to accompany a chocolate dessert at Christmas

Dessert is often paired with chocolate, and this Christmas Eve we've come up with a regressive pairing. Nicolas Stafrach of restaurant Bernie et Vincent has created the following recipe: Caraïbe" chocolate mousse with caramel. For this not-so-obvious chocolate and champagne pairing, we've selected rosé champagnes that will add a gourmet touch.

Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Rosé

Tasting notes : a complex rosé that reveals notes of rose and jasmine. The palate is tangy and refreshing, with elegant bubbles. The finish is greedy and salivating.

• Score : 92/100
• Price: 71.50 euros

Champagne Vincent Couche, Désir Rosé

Tasting notes: On the palate, this is a gourmand rosé champagne with aromas reminiscent of strawberry jam. The finish is taut with persistent red fruit. Fruit and more fruit!

• Website: www.vincent-couche.com
• Score : 93/100
• Price: 54 euros

Champagne Moutard Père et Fils, Rosé de Cuvaison

Tasting notes: on the palate, it's like biting into just-picked white and red fruit. Elegant bubbles. The finish is fresh and delicious.

• Website: www.famillemoutard.com
• Rating: 93/100
• Price: 32.10 euros

This selection is proof positive that you can create a complete meal with Champagne wines. Pop the cork!