A boozy brunch wouldn’t be complete without a mimosa, the 1920s-era cocktail of sparkling wine and orange juice. After all, its straightforward effervescence, sweetness and tartness are worthy foils to rich Hollandaise sauce and crisp bacon.
A rule of thumb we like to follow when making mimosas is to keep the quality of sparkling wine in mind when mixing. If you’re pouring the cheap stuff, equal parts of orange juice to bubbles is best. However, if true Champagne—meaning a made-in-the-Champagne-region-of-France bottle—is what your heart desires, go for a crisp and dry brut style to complement the brisk tang of orange juice (and go easy on the juice).
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“If Champagne was my only option to enjoy a mimosa, then okay, but it wouldn’t be the first thing I reach for,” says Anna-Christina Cabrales, Wine Enthusiast’s Tasting Director and resident Champagne superfan. “So much energy and time goes into making beautiful expressions and adding a drop or a few ounces of O.J. just feels like I’m taking away from that craftsmanship. If I really need to get my orange bubbly fix, you’ll find me ordering an Aperol spritz.”
Still, for special occasions, Champagne just feels right—and we’re always in favor of a good splurge when the mood hits. So, despite Cabrales’s protests, we rounded up a few of our favorite bottles below.
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Ernest Rapeneau NV Brut (Champagne)
A ripe, perfumed Champagne, this has tangy acidity and citrus fruits. It is fruity, with a fresh tanginess and vibrant fruit. Drink now. 89 points. — Roger Voss
$17.99 Bottle Bargains
Champagne Vieille France NV Brut (Champagne)
A fine, dry Champagne with apple and citrus flavors, this is a blend dominated by Pinot Noir with Chardonnay. It is tangy, young and could do with a year more in bottle. Drink from 2024. 90 points.— R.V.
$42.98 Corks and Dorks
Charles de Cazanove NV Tradition Tête de Cuvée Brut (Champagne)
The Champagne is fruity and fresh, its ripe fruits showing balance. It has white-fruit flavors that give the wine crispness, while also preserving richness. Drink now. 87 points. — R.V.
$39.99 Woods Wholesale Wine
De Saint Gall NV Le Tradition (Champagne)
A high 66% of aged reserve wine give this Champagne a sense of maturity. Almond and toast aromas are lifted by citrus flavors. The blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is satisfyingly ripe with rich fruits, shot through with acidity. This wine is ready to drink. 88 points. — Roger Voss
$39.98 Total Wine
Charles Orban NV Carte Noire (Champagne)
A blend of the three principal Champagne varieties, this rich, lightly textured wine is full of ripe fruits with a full dosage to match. It is a generous wine, soft at the end. Drink now. 87 points. — R.V.
$40 Woods Wholesale Wine
Albert Lebrun NV Brut Premier Cru (Champagne)
This nonvintage wine is ripe and soft with layers of white fruits lifted by acidity. The Champagne is smooth, rich and ready to drink. 87 points. — R.V.
$41.99 Twin Liquors
Marie de Moy NV Brut (Champagne)
Typical structure, while also showing ripeness, this nonvintage Champagne has softness contrasting with some fine acidity. Drink now. 88 points. — R.V.
$34.98 Total Wine
Canard-Duchêne NV Brut (Champagne)
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier are blended in almost equal proportions in this Champagne. It is a fruity wine, with a touch of minerality and a vivid, youthful aftertaste. Drink now. 89 points. — R.V.
$37.99 Ed’s Fine Wines
Beaumont des Crayères NV Grande Réserve Brut (Champagne)
Mainly Meunier, this balanced Champagne is rich and rounded. It has white fruits and a soft core that give the wine a ripe character. Drink the bottling now. 89 points. — R.V.
$40.97 Wine Chateau
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Published: April 19, 2024
