From birthdays and anniversaries to celebrating a new job, some occasions just call for a bottle of fizz. But nowadays it doesn’t necessarily need to be a flute of Dom Perignon or Laurent Perrier to mark the special event, as some of the best champagne can be found at the supermarket, and for a budget-friendly price tag, too.
This year, Lidl’s £25 Bissinger champagne took the top spot at the World Champagne Awards 2026, with Aldi’s £15 bottle of Veuve Monsigny winning the previous year. Meawhile Co-op’s Les Pionniers was the only supermarket bottle to win the IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) trophy in 2025.
“Supermarket own labels often offer a great entry point for champagne,” explains wine critic Rosamund Hall. “They’re working with highly respected producers to source high quality wines for the best value available. You won't find quirky ‘grower champagne’ finesse, but you can expect well made, highly enjoyable wines that will be a perfect pour for any occasion.”
The increasingly warmer climate is also a double-edged sword in the industry. It’s one that opens up opportunity for English sparkling wines from Dorset, Kent and Sussex (albeit not technically champagne) but it also causes high sugar levels in the grapes. This leads to a higher alcohol level, some more than the regulation limit of 13 per cent in champagne.
That being said, consumer demand for affordability makes supermarket champagnes an exciting one to watch. I asked industry expert, Jane Peyton, to choose her favourite bottles of supermarket champagne, so you can stock up for special occasions, Christmas parties and more.
Read more: Best supermarket wines, according to sommeliers and experts
Meet the expert
Jane Peyton is an alcoholic drinks historian, educator, consultant, broadcaster, writer, public speaker. She is the founder of the School of Booze, and author of Wine Knowledge Box, an introduction to wine. She was the UK’s first accredited pommelier (cider sommelier) and Britain’s beer sommelier of the year.
Read more: Best wines by celebrities that are actually worth the money
Sainsbury's demi-sec non-vintage champagne
“More than 90 per cent of champagne is classified as brut, i.e. dry, so it is rare to find a sweet supermarket champagne,” Peyton said. “On the scale from dry to sweet a demi sec is the second sweetest, so this juicy champagne is your treat to match with dessert such as Eton mess or crème brûlée.”
“Sweet wines also match well with spicy food by taming the heat. Prepare for an aromatic feast of strawberry and cherry, with stone fruit and rich honey on the palate, and a refreshing tang.”
Key specifications
Buy now £24, Sainsburys.co.uk
Waitrose champagne rosé NV
“The colour of rosé wine comes from the juice being in contact with black or red grape skins for several hours to a couple of days,” Peyton explains. “This champagne is made from 100 per cent pinot noir so it has aromas and flavours of fresh strawberry and other red berries, a crisp mouthfeel, and a zingy refreshing finish.”
Key specifications
Buy now £30, Waitroseecellar.com
Laurent-Perrier brut millésimé vintage 2015
“Unlike non-vintage wines, millésimé champagnes are made from the grapes of a single harvest so they reflect the growing season of that particular year,” Peyton explains. “Producers only announce a millésimé for exceptional harvest years and Laurent Perrier is even more selective in declaring vintages. That makes this wine extra special.”
She adds: “It was aged for seven years in bottle and it offers a rich drinking experience of honeysuckle, lemon peel, toasted brioche, and fresh orange with lively persistent bubbles.”
Key specifications
Buy now £80, Sainsburys.co.uk
Lidl Bissinger champagne premier cru
“Less than twenty-five quid for the world’s best champagne? Yes!,” says Peyton.
“In 2026 it won best in class at the World Champagne Awards. The champagne has zesty acidity with lemons, green apples, and brioche flavours. It is classified as premier cru, which means the grapes are grown in top quality vineyards.”
Key specifications
Buy now £24.99, Lidl.co.uk
Benoît Renaud blanc de blancs grand cru
“This is a new addition to Asda’s Exceptional range and its worthy of that description,’” explains Peyton.
“It is a grand cru blanc de blancs, which means the wine is made solely from chardonnay grapes grown in the most prestigious vineyards. Expect green apples, honeysuckle, citrus and lively acidity with a long finish.”
Key specifications
Buy now £32, Asda.com
Looking for more bargain bottles? I asked an expert which wine to pair with your Sunday roast