Absolute work-horse bottle for me, too. The QPR/consistency of the Vilmart GC is among the greatest in Champagne, IMO.
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Here are some of my favoritesâŠthey all make at least one excellent Champagne under $75, if not more.
Pierre Moncuit
Andre Clouet
Laherte Freres
Chartogne Taillet
Marie Courtin
Jacques Lassaigne
Bereche
Consistency is right. And beautifully structured. Here is a bottle that was gorgeous I opened in December 2023, disgorged November 1999(!) (I asked Laurent, and he gave me the details based on the bottle code.)
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Where do you find the Efflorescence under 75?
And to add to @T_Welch 's link to Wine searcher, if you expand the scope to worldwide you see that the price is as low as US$48 including a 20% sales tax in Europe, and below US$60 in Hong Kong.
Which I think illustrates a point which has been discussed a bit on WB before that champagne pricing in the USA is often at a significant premium to elsewhere in the world. For the wines I listed above I know that they are below US$75 in Hong Kong (many of them below US$60), but I wouldnât be surprised if several (particularly more âknownâ names) are above the US$75 threshold in the USA.
Damn, I was searching the whole US and it was starting at almost 80. Gotta figure out how to get these shipped âŠ
Another vote for Julien Prelat, Presle Blanc de Blancs
And also Dhondt Grellet, Dans Un Premier Temps Base
My local store has this for $59 (itâs a WS low) plus 10% off a case. Was thinking about picking up a case based on the overwhelming support. I know itâs NV but does it age well? Iâm building out my champagne inventory so it might be a while before I get through the whole case. Thanks!
Should easily age for 4-5 years (assuming recent disgorgement) and indeed, likely improve the entire time.
Maybe mix and match for the case discount with other (cheaper) bottles if allowed.
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Id buy a case at 55 per. Ive never been able to let it sit long, but like Kyle, the trusted GM ar my local wine store said hes held for 5 years.
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If itâs The Wine and Cheese Place - * Not eligible for case discounts
Itâs still a good price.
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Some lovely champagne thats <$75 and worth keeping in rotation:
- HurĂ© FrĂšres, LâInvitation Brut Champagne (avg $65) - brioche, green apple, lemon custard
- HurĂ© FrĂšres, LâInstantanee Brut Champagne (avg $70) - ripe yellow apple, salinity, lemon peel
- Adrien Redon, Le Grand R Premier Cru Extra Brut (avg $70) - toast, fresh butter, ripe pear
- Pierre Deville, Primitif Extra Brut Verzy Grand Cru (avg $65) - baked apple, salinity, cream
- Adrien Renoir, âLe Terroirâ Verzy Grand Cru Extra Brut (avg $70) - crisp pear, fresh dough, Meyer lemon
- Petit Clergeot, âChevryâ CuvĂ©e Brut Nature (avg $70) - tart raspberry, kiwi, fresh lemon
- Tellier, Les Conardins Extra Brut Champagne (avg $80) - Iâm cheating with this one since itâs above the budget, but if you find a bottle for <$75, grab it. Strawberry, rose, and cream.
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I really enjoy the E. Calsac wines as well. Like many others, Iâm a big fan of Laherte. Pierre Peters of course. I also like Bonnaire, their Cramant is excellent and the vintage wine can be had for under $60.
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How do people feel about the Ruinart BdB NV?
Itâs listed on Wine-Searcher for $80 at a few places stateside right now, so just shy of the $75 cut-off, but itâs one of my favorites. However, I donât have nearly as much experience as most (all?) of the posters above. Curious to hear othersâ opinion.
I did a âreasonablyâ priced champagne search a year ago and shared my findings if you want to check it outâŠ
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If itâs one of your favorites, it doesnât really matter what the rest of us think - drink up! 
But since you ask, I find the Ruinart NV a little generic when compared to some of the best listed on this thread. Not bad, just lacking in distinctive personality. For me, the reason to step up to the $75-100 level of champagne is to experience real character rather than just well made champagne. Not that it canât happen for less, but for the most part I think that aspect is something that comes with a little higher pricetag, and is something I consider essential if Iâm going to spend that much.
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Thanks, Sarah - very helpful!
Thatâs a fair point. I guess I ask for a couple of reasons:
- Iâm eager to learn what others notice and value in champagne. As a noob to this hobby, I find that understanding different perspectives often enriches my own tasting experience (for the first couple of glasses anyways).
- FOMO. With so many great recommendations on this thread, Iâm curious how my current favorite compares and what I might be missing.
As a newcomer to this forum, I have been incredibly impressed by the communityâs generosity - both in sharing knowledge and in other ways (like @CFuâs fundraising effort). Looking forward to learning more from everyone here.
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So many great recommendations here already. This is just what we drink for âweeknightâ champagne:
Diebolt Vallois BdB-the prestige is a solid step up but I donât think thereâs a better value in BdB than the basic BdB. The Prestige is excellent as well, but it also leans a little more stylistically sinilar to some other wines we buy, and I do like the clean and direct nature of the basic BdB.
Larmandier-Bernier-creeping up in price but the Longitude and Latitude bottlings are usually excellent.
Pierre Moncuit
Agrapart Sept Crus-excepting the recent 2018 base wine, which I do not enjoy
Doyard Vendemiare-creeping up in price but one of my favorite BdBs
Hebrart-excellent producer across the board
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For under $75, Iâm also a fan of the HurĂ© FrĂšres rose, which is really nice for a more casual and extremely drinkable rose.
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