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When it comes to Champagne, it doesn’t get much more elite than Krug. Synonymous with luxury and splendor, Krug is a prestigious Champagne that has savvy drinkers worldwide buying it for special occasions. The only downside for many consumers? The price.
Instead of sticking to a typical non-vintage selection or only highlighting specific vintages, every release of Krug showcases its uniqueness, with each year's wine incorporating a different mix of reserve wines. Consequently, each bottle offers a distinct flavor profile compared to its predecessor, as the house prioritizes quality over maintaining a uniform style. Nonetheless, Krug Champagnes are generally celebrated for their intricate flavor profiles, featuring a delightful blend of nutty, bready, and citrus notes. With a creamy texture on the palate, the wine exudes luxury, but its $250 price point places that luxury beyond the reach of many consumers.
Luxury doesn't always mean breaking the bank. If you're in search of a Champagne that delivers a comparable taste experience without the hefty price, we've compiled a list of some excellent alternatives worth exploring. Ranging from brioche-inspired bubbles from the renowned Krug region to American sparkling wines crafted using traditional methods, here are eight budget-friendly substitutes for Krug Champagne.
Champagne Leclerc Briant Réserve Brut Non-Vintage
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If rich brioche and subtle nuttiness are what attracts you to Krug, you’ll be thrilled with this bottling from Leclerc Briant. Made from a blend of 40 percent Pinot Noir, 40 percent Pinot Meunier, and 20 percent Chardonnay, each grape used to produce the label’s Réserve Brut NV is grown using organic farming techniques adopted by the winemaking team in the 1960s. With a small percentage of reserve wines blended in, Leclerc Briant Réserve Brut delivers aromas of lemon zest and orange blossom before a complex palate takes over accented by raspberries coated in powdered sugar, brioche, and almond.
Mean Cost: $65
Score: 91
Barnaut 'Grande Réserve' Grand Cru Brut Champagne Non-Vintage
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Established in 1874 in Bouzy, France, by Edmond Barnaut, Barnaut stands as one of the pioneering grower-producers in the Champagne area. The winery remains in family hands and continues to craft exclusively grower Champagne. The flagship offering, Grande Réserve, consists of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay, incorporating a reserve wine for blending that has been carefully maintained and refreshed since the winery's inception 150 years ago. Aromas of preserved lemons, camembert, and yellow apple invite the senses, leading to a luxurious, creamy mouthfeel with a lasting finish.
Mean Cost: $69
Score: 93
Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut Non-Vintage
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As the signature offering from one of the largest Champagne houses, you’ll have no trouble tracking down a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut. Consisting of 50 percent Pinot Noir, 30 percent Pinot Meunier, and 20 percent Chardonnay sourced from 100 crus, every batch is made with at least 25 percent reserve wines before it is aged for 24 months on the lees. Aromas of stewed pear, orange blossoms, and white peaches fill the nose while the palate is dominated by notes of almond, stone fruit, citrus, and mint. Creamy in texture and offering an abundance of buttery toasted bread flavors, this bottle is sure to satisfy any Krug enthusiast — especially considering it’s a fraction of the cost.
Typical cost: $70
Score: 91
Maison Jussiaume Brut Blanc de Blancs 2019年份
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Champagne certainly boasts a few bottles that provide exceptional value, but sometimes you need to look beyond the Champagne region to discover the best bargains. A prime example is this Blanc de Blancs from southern Oregon. Although it's crafted solely from Chardonnay, it rivals the complexity typically found in blended wines. With six months of aging on the lees, the aroma is rich with notes of lemon curd and brioche, leading to a sumptuous, textured palate characterized by honey and fruity undertones.
Typical cost: $70
Score: 94
Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut 2019年份
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If you’re interested in exploring sparkling wines outside of Champagne but don’t want to leave French tradition behind, Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut is the perfect bottle to buy. Produced in California’s Anderson Valley by the Roederer family — the same makers of Cristal — this American sparkler is made using the Champagne method. Only produced in years yielding exceptional grapes, L’Ermitage delivers sliced pear, vanilla bean, and river-rock mineral aromas before an elegant palate takes over with notes of roasted pear and cream.
Mean cost: $80
Score: 93
Pol Roger Brut Réserve Champagne Non-Vintage
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Pol Roger stands out as one of the prominent houses in Champagne, distinguished by several unique aspects of its production. Founded in 1849, the estate has remained under family ownership, making it one of the few Champagne producers still managed by its founding family. Additionally, Pol Roger cultivates about 55 percent of the vineyards that supply grapes for its exquisite sparkling wines, which is quite rare in an industry that often depends on purchased grapes. The Brut Réserve, a blend of 75 percent new and 25 percent reserve wines, combines Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, presenting vibrant aromas of honeysuckle, tropical fruits, and pear. On the palate, it mirrors these fragrances with flavors of concentrated lemon curd, apricot, and vanilla bean, all wrapped in a rich and luxurious texture.
Mean cost: $85
Score: 92
Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve Non-Vintage
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This non-vintage sparkling wine from Charles Heidsieck boasts the same sophistication, depth, and indulgence as Champagnes that often command prices three times higher. Exhibiting a beautiful rich gold hue akin to Krug, the Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve greets you with enticing scents of vanilla and Rainier cherries, leading into a sumptuous flavor profile filled with lemon curd and warm, freshly baked brioche. With vibrant bubbles and a luxurious crème brûlée finish, this bottle is undoubtedly a remarkable choice within the under-$100 range.
Mean cost: $90
Score: 94
Champagne Palmer & Co. Grands Terroirs 2015
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A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, Champagne Palmer & Co.’s Grands Terroirs bottling is only made in years yielding exceptional harvests. The most recent release, from the 2015 vintage, is full-bodied and rich, washing the palate with toasted brioche, olive oil cake, preserved lemon, and vanilla. With a succulent texture and vivacious, even bubbles, this stunning wine is certainly worth a few extra dollars — it’s still $100 less than a bottle of Krug.
