The LCBO’s best bottles of sparkling wine and champagne

Veuve du Vernay Brut Sparkling

$15.95 | France The most bargain-friendly bottle of bubbles on this list comes from France—but it’s not subpar champagne. It’s actually made in the Italian style, so it’s similar to prosecco and not something you typically see from the French. Notes of green apple, lemon and peach lead the way, all backed by subtle white flowers. On the palate, it’s crisp and clean with a refreshing finish that makes it an easy pick for a holiday brunch—or any occasion that calls for fizz without fuss. LCBO 32535

Related: The best bottles of wine at the LCBO for $25 or less

Masi Modello Prosecco DOC Brut

$18.95 ($15.95 until Jan. 4) | Italy Even at its low price (which is even lower right now), this Italian sparkler conveys elegance—both inside and outside its good-looking bottle. It’s crisp and clean, with nice aromas of green apple and white flowers paired with balanced acidity. A great way to toast your holiday get-togethers without breaking the bank. LCBO 27001

Val d’Oca Prosecco DOCG 2024

$18.95 ($17.95 until Jan. 4) | Italy Val d’Oca’s bottle has undergone a rebrand to lose its frosted look, but the quality of the bubbles inside it remains the same. This perennial favourite routinely appears in this roundup, as it checks all the boxes. Under $20? Yes. Great flavours and aromas? Indeed. Delicious on its own or in a mid-morning mimosa? One hundred per cent. LCBO 340570

J. de Villebois Crémant de Loire Collection 1180

$20.75 | France This beautifully bubbly blend of chenin blanc, cabernet franc and chardonnay is made at a family-run winery with sustainability at its heart. The grapes for this crémant (which is basically champagne by a different name, as it isn’t produced in Champagne) were harvested and aged on lees for a short time to preserve their freshness, fruit flavours and aromas. The nose offers lemon curd and white flowers, and the flavours follow suit. LCBO 43693

Sorelle Bronca L’Est Brut Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore

$21.25 | Italy “Valdobbiadene Superiore” is the highest designation of quality for prosecco, and it comes from a small parcel of land in Italy’s hilly Veneto region, where some of the best grapes grow. It’s only a few bucks more than the average bottle of bargain-priced Italian bubbles, but your taste buds will notice. With its mineral freshness, punchy lemon and lime notes, plus a bit of bread, it’s more symphonic than your average prosecco. LCBO 42677

Zonte’s Footstep Cuvée Chocolate Mousseux Shiraz Sparkling

$24.95 | Australia It’s called “chocolate mousseux” for a reason: this sparkling shiraz delivers notes of black forest cake, with the bubbles filling the role of whipped cream. Despite that, it’s quite dry, with just a hint of sweetness to keep the cherry notes juicy. LCBO 43328

Creekside Sauvignon Blanc Backyard Bubbly 2023

$24.95 | Canada Sauvignon blanc fans, rejoice—there really is a bottle of bubbles for you, and it’s locally made. What started out as an experiment turned into a staple of Creekside, a Niagara winery that makes some of the best sauvignon blanc in the province. The acidity is excellent, and the aromas are chock full of zesty grapefruit. It’s a lively bottle of bubbles guaranteed to get any party started. LCBO 46024

Bailly Lapierre Réserve Brut Crémant de Bourgogne

$24.95 | France When champagne isn’t affordable, look to Burgundy. The French province employs the same grape varieties used to make champagne (pinot noir, chardonnay) and the same traditional method, but because the name doesn’t have the same cachet, it costs quite a bit less. LCBO 991562

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut

$29.95 | Canada This family-owned Niagara winery’s namesake is their great-great-great-grandfather’s son, and the sparkling wines they make are named for his wife. The nose is bright with raspberry and cherry aromas and just a touch of citrus. On the palate, it’s round yet fresh, offering red berry and citrus notes as well as a delicious hint of toasted brioche (and everything’s better with bread). LCBO 217505

Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling

$32.95 | Canada It can be easy to overlook Ontario-made bubbly, but it’s actually one of the best styles we make. And this blanc de blanc, made with 100 per cent chardonnay, is a shining star. On the palate, it’s crisp and clean, and it delivers lively citrus and orchard fruit in spades. Without fail, it’s one of our favourite sparkling wines, year after year. LCBO 213983

Redstone Limestone Vineyard Blanc de Noirs Sparkling 2021

$32.95 | Ontario Sparkling wines made with pinot noir are generally fuller and richer on the palate, and this bottle is no exception. It’s very expressive, with nice intensity and flavours of raspberry and ripe apple that mingle with a complex minerality. It’s a standout sparkler that proves Ontario bubbles can be both powerful and elegant. LCBO 48056

Westcott Brilliant Rosé Sparkling 2022

$40 | Ontario Rosé bubbles are incredibly hard to make—it’s the reason why only five per cent of all champagne is pretty in pink. Even for the seasoned French, the balance is so easy to get wrong. But this Niagara winery has nailed it. With aromas and flavours of all kinds of red fruit, it’s a party for your palate. LCBO 38733

Tawse Spark Quarry Road Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling 2016

$39.95 | Ontario This crisp, clean and lively glass of Ontario-made brilliance could rival anything coming out of Champagne. Which isn’t surprising since Tawse’s owner is a big fan of Burgundy, so he knows more than a little bit about French wine. Nine years from its vintage date, this wine still expresses its freshness with citrus flavours and festive notes of almond biscotti. LCBO 48055

Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne

$71.75 | France We have so far pumped up many Ontario-made sparklers, comparing more than one to champagne—but sometimes nothing hits home like a bottle of the real stuff. Going to a New Year’s Eve party where there’s a particularly picky (or special) host? Bring out the big guns. Brioche, biscuits and bread crust meet notes of green apple on the palate and finishes with a fresh acidity.LCBO 462432

Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial

$79.80 | France Moët’s flagship cuvée is its flagship for a reason: it strikes that careful balance between approachability and classic champagne polish. The nose opens with bright green apple, lemon zest and pear, layered with subtle brioche and almond notes. On the palate, it’s crisp and vibrant, with flavours of citrus, white peach and a touch of honeyed toast. It’s fitting for a celebration and pairs just as well with oysters as it does with potato chips. LCBO 453084

Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Brut Champagne 2018

$290 | France Veuve Clicquot’s flagship bottle is made using only the best vintages from their best parcels of fruit. Lifted notes of citrus and crisp pear are layered over minerality and a subtle hint of toasted bread. The palate–driven by its pinot noir core—is precise, vibrant and elegant, with a long, fresh finish. A wine like this is made for celebrating milestones or ringing in a brand new year. LCBO 22493