Back by popular demand, I’ve scoured all the specials in the chain stores and independent retailers to line up for you the ultimate wish list of Christmas festive pops! Again this year, there are some surprises…

Wine remains the most popular gift to take to a Christmas party, but the latest research tells us that one-third of recipients will ‘regift’ that bottle you’ve given them (how do they come up with this stuff?!).

A truly great bottle is the best insurance against the embarrassment of regifting. This doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. This year my Top 50 Sparkling and Champagne Buys start from just $11, and for the first time ever I’ve lined up my Top Ten Buys with street prices under $20.

As always, you get what you pay for, and there are great dividends in spending a bit more. Sparkling prices are on the rise this year. Of my 50 recommendations, half are back for an encore from last year’s list, and comparing these bottles wine for wine, this year there is a median street price rise of $1.95 per bottle.

Expect this upward pricing trend to increase in Christmases to come. Three reasons: the average price of champagne grapes is higher than any other wine region on earth, it takes twice as many steps to make a bottle of sparkling wine as it does still wine, and champagne is the only table wine that is aged to maturity before its first release. These factors are currently conspiring more than ever before to spiral production costs, and this is why current discounting on champagne pricing is unviable. As the champagne glass ceiling rises, the price of other sparkling wines from around the world will follow. Champagne is the ultimate bargain of the luxury wine world and now is the time to buy.

Every wine in my list this year is a great buy, but these seven stand out as my top bargains…

Redbank Emily King Valley Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée NV – The Sparkling Wine of the Year under $20 in my Australian Sparkling Report 2018 is on the streets for just $11 (scroll down for full details).

Ninth Island Tasmania Rosé NV – The Sparkling wine of the Year under $25 in my Australian Sparkling Report 2018 is under $20 right now.

Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz NV – The Sparkling Wine of the Year under $30 in my Australian Sparkling Report 2018 is currently half price at just $14.20!

Seppelt Salinger Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2013 – The Sparkling Wine of the Year under $30 in my Australian Sparkling Report 2017 was a bargain on the streets at $23 last year. Now it’s under $18!

Lanson Black Label Brut NV – The best price last year was $48 and now it’s under $43.

Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV – Is this the best champagne on the shelves under $38? It’s more than that, it’s the only champagne at this price that you should not regift! Seriously.

Pierre Gimonnet Special Club Grand Terroirs de Chardonnay 2012 – A true prestige cuvée at a price no higher than the vintage cuvées of most houses. Didier Gimonnet says 2012 is better than 2002 and 2008. His Special Club 2012 is a full $50 cheaper right now than the best street price of his 2008 at the same time last year!

Every year I come under fire for promoting the chain stores over the independent retailers (and again recently). The truth is that I don’t promote any sector, only the best deals in Australia, wherever they happen to be. Again this year it turns out that the independents are offering the best price more often than the chain stores.

In my list below you’ll see independents come up on top with the best price twice as often (48 times) as the chain stores (24 times). Interestingly and significantly, every single one of my 14 top recommendations over $100 is cheaper in an independent store than the best price you’ll find in a chain store. Don’t believe the jingles, do your homework, shop around, follow my recommendations and you’ll get the best deal.

Always buy by the six pack to get the most competitive price. Most stores will let you mix and match, and silly season discounting is the best you’ll ever get, so stock up now for 2019! The prices I’ve quoted here are current at 12 December 2018.

Inevitably, a list like this cannot be exhaustive. Why is a cuvée I rate highly missing? Because it’s not on the streets at a great price right now. Why is a retailer I love not listed? Because I line them all up and only shortlist those stores offering the best price on each cuvée.

For my full notes and scores on each wine, see my Australian Sparkling Report 2018 (free download) and The Champagne Guide 2018-2019.

Wishing you a truly sparkling Christmas and New Year!

Tyson.

The Top 10 Sparkling Wines under $20

Redbank Emily Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut NV, RRP $16
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 34
$11 at WineStar and Kemeny’s

Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz NV, RRP $27
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 40
$14.20 at Dan Murphy’s and 1st Choice

Seppelt Salinger Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2013, RRP $30
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 41
$17.88 at Dan Murphy’s

Taltarni Cuvée Rosé 2013, RRP $26
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 41
$18 at Wine Cow

Bleasdale Sparkling Shiraz NV, RRP $22
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 22
$18 at Kemeny’s

The Lane Lois Sparkling Blanc de Blancs NV, RRP $23
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 37
$18 at WineStar

Taltarni Brut 2013, RRP $26
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 41
$19 at Nillumbik Cellars and Winesquare

Ninth Island Tasmanian Sparkling NV, RRP $25
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 37
$19 at Vintage Cellars

Ninth Island Sparkling Rosé NV, RRP $25
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 36
$20 at Vintage Cellars

House of Arras A by Arras Premium Cuvée NV, RRP $30
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 41
$20.80 at Dan Murphy’s

The Top 20 Sparklings and Champagnes under $65

Stefano Lubiana Brut NV, RRP $38
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 47
$33 at WineStar

Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV, RRP $50
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 304
$37.90 at Dan Murphy’s, 1st Choice and Bayfields

Lanson Black Label Brut NV, RRP $60
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 227
$42.90 at Dan Murphy’s

AR Lenoble Cuvée Intense Brut NV, RRP $75
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 43
$45 at Kemeny’s

Clover Hill Cuvée Exceptionnelle Blanc de Blancs 2011, RRP $65
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 54
$50 at WineSquare

Taittinger Cuvée Brut Réserve NV, RRP $80
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 325
$51.90 at Dan Murphy’s and Vintage Cellars

Veuve Fourny & Fils Blanc de Blancs Vertus Premier Cru Brut NV, RRP $60
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 350
$55 at Veno Liquor, Wine Culture and WineSquare

Jansz Tasmania Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2011, RRP $65
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 50
$57 at Aussie Wines

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut NV, RRP $80
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 344
$57.90 at Dan Murphy’s, 1st Choice, Bayfields and BoozeBud

House of Arras Blanc de Blancs 2008, RRP $87
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 53
$60 at WineStar

House of Arras Rosé 2006, RRP $87
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 57
$60 at WineStar

House of Arras Grand Vintage 2008, RRP $80
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 51
$60 at WineStar, Vintage Cellars and Kemeny’s

Bellebonne Natalie Fryar Vintage Rosé 2016, RRP $67.50
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2019 (to be published next year)
$60.83 at Pinot Shop

Primo Estate Joseph Sparkling Red NV, RRP $90
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 61
$62 at Kemeny’s

Pol Roger Brut Réserve NV, RRP $90
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 309
$64 at Vintage Cellars

Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve NV, RRP $85
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 65
$64.90 at Dan Murphy’s

Bollinger Special Cuvée NV, RRP $90
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 75
$65 at Vintage Cellars

Piper-Heidsieck Vintage Brut 2008, RRP $85
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 306
$65 at 1st Choice and Vintage Cellars

Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV, RRP $85
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 245
$65 at WineStar, Nicks and Bottega Tasca

Lanson Gold Label Vintage Brut 2008, RRP $80
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 228
$65.90 at Dan Murphy’s in some states (2008 vintage is yet to come to other states)

The Top 10 Sparklings and Champagnes under $120

Pierre Gimonnet  & Fils Cuis 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut NV, RRP $75
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 292
$66 at Champagne Gallery

AR Lenoble Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut 2008, RRP $125
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 44
$80 at Kemeny’s

Deviation Road Beltana Blanc de Blancs 2012, RRP $100
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 54
$85 at Ed Cellars

Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV, RRP $95
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 91
$85 at Kemeny’s

Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2008, RRP $110
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 345
$93 at Vintage Cellars

Seppelt Show Sparkling Limited Release Shiraz 2007, RRP $100
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 page 60
$95 at Qantas Wine and Dan Murphy’s

Pol Roger Vintage 2009, RRP $145
The Champagne Guide 2020-2021 (to be published in 2019)
$100 at Vintage Cellars

Bollinger Rosé Brut NV, RRP $145
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 76
$110 at Nicks and Champagne Gallery

Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rosé 2008, RRP $130
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 295
$110 at WineSquare

Pierre Gimonnet Special Club Grand Terroirs de Chardonnay 2012, RRP $140
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 215
$115 at WineStar

Charles Heidsieck Rosé Réserve NV, RRP $140
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 91
$119 at Wine Style

The Top 10 Champagnes over $200

Krug Grande Cuvée, RRP $350
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 211
$230 at Wine Decoded and JR Duty Free

Piper-Heidsieck Rare Millesime 2002, RRP $300
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 306
$245 at Kemeny’s

Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2004, RRP $350
The Champagne Guide 2016-2017 page 306
$275 at Kent Street Cellars

Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart 2002, RRP $400
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 68
$299 at Nicks

Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 1995, RRP $400
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 93
$300 at Aussie Wines

Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Vieille Vigne NV, RRP $380
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 141
$315 at Veno Liquor

Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut 2002, RRP $400
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 78
$349 at JR Duty Free

Louis Roederer Cristal 2008, RRP $400
The Champagne Guide 2020-2021 (to be published in 2019)
$390 at McGuires

Krug Vintage 2002, RRP $450
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 210
$390 at Shorty’s and Wine.com.au

Krug Clos du Mesnil Brut Blanc de Blancs 2002, RRP $1600
The Champagne Guide 2018-2019 page 212
$1299 at D’Or to Door