Andy, it would be helpful if you can describe the style you prefer. There are many good choices already offered herein, but they range from light and elegant to big, bold and beyond. Im guessing for a house bubbly, youd want something that was more of the side of finesse and charm, but we all have different palate preferences.
Also, do you like BdB, Brut and/or rose? More Pinot Noir or Chardonnay or Pinot Meaner? Champagne and/or sparkling wine?
These are all great suggestions. In fact anything I’ve thought of was mostly mentioned already. I was going to mention the Agrapart, though it seems to be about $40 these days. Bara, Lehert, also good. Moutard can be good value. Huet is good. Aubry Brut isn’t bad and can be found rather cheap. Chartogne-Taillet St. Anne really good too.
I’ve had decent luck with the coop Le Mesnil bottling as well.
NV Laurent Perrier Brut Champagne, no question! There is an old Executive Wine Seminar that featured the Grower Champagnes vs. The Big Boys done with Terry Thiese in 2013, and the NV Laurent Perrier Brut Champagne was the resounding winner in a double-blind tasting that featured the likes of Pol Roger, Egly-Ouriet, Pierre Peters, Louis Roederer, Gaston Chiquet, Veuve Clicquot and several others. Worth a read if you can find it.
Check the locals for Gosset Brut Excellence. We used to sell it for about $40 but the big stores might have it for less or discount on 6, 12. Really good I am told and we can’t keep it in stock. From Wine Searcher:
Lincoln Fine Wines
USA (CA): Santa Monica.
Gosset - Excellence Brut NV $ 32.99
Bottle
ex. sales tax
I think LP is fine and all, but there’s no way I’d take it over Pol Roger, let alone PP! Disgorgements and age/storage matter so much that I don’t know how representative any tasting is, but of that crowd PP stands head and shoulders above and, unfortunately, is priced that way now as well.