BREAKING: A titanic showdown between top champagnes and the best of the rest has been settled. The victors? Headline writers… This is an impromptu pod reflecting the momentous nature of this Battle of the Bubbles tasting, which took place at the London Wine Fair 2025. Sixteen top judges (including both of us); 26 top wines, including some of Champagne’s most reputable (and highly priced) bottles – and some quite astonishing results.
In this episode we give the lowdown on the results and reflect on what it all means. Including the intriguing undercurrents and subtexts, as well as our personal insights and conclusions. (And yes, we do disagree.) There are some great value recommendations in there too…
Wines featured in this episode
Gramona ‘Enoteca’ Corpinnat Brut Nature 2011, Penedes, Spain
Champagne Eric Rodez ‘Cuvée de Crayères’ NV
Champagne Bollinger ‘R.D.’ Extra Brut 2008
House of Arras ‘EJ Carr Late Disgorged’ 2009, Tasmania, Australia
Champagne Laurent-Perrier Rosé NV
Cloudy Bay Pelorus Rosé NV, New Zealand
Ca’ del Bosco ‘Cuvée Annamaria Clementi’ 2016, Franciacorta, Italy
Champagne Taittinger ‘Comtes de Champagne’ Blanc de Blancs 2013
Champagne Billecart-Salmon ‘Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon’ Rosé 2012
Cruse Wine Co LC18 Tradition Rosé NV, Sonoma Coast, USA
Graham Beck ‘Cuvée Clive’ 2019, South Africa
Champagne Ruinart ‘Dom Ruinart’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2010
Roederer Estate ‘Quartet’ Anderson Valley Brut NV, USA
Champagne Krug Grande Cuvée, 172ème Édition
Pascal Agrapart ‘Minéral’ Blanc de Blancs 2018, Champagne
Quartz Reef Blanc de Blancs 2017, Central Otago, New Zealand
Champagne Pol Roger ‘Cuvée Winston Churchill’ 2015
Gusbourne ’51 Degrees North’ 2016, UK
Nino Franco Grave di Stecca Prosecco Valdobbiadene 2015, Veneto, Italy
Champagne Egly-Ouriet ‘V.P. Vieillissement Prolongé’ 2016
Weingut Karthäuserhofberg Sekt NV, Ruwer, Germany
Champagne Drappier ‘Quattuor’ NV
Recaredo ‘Turó d’en Mota’ Cava 2011, Penedes, Spain
Champagne Roederer ‘Phillipe Starck’ Brut Nature 2015
Dom Pérignon 2013, Champagne
2010 Nyetimber 1086, UK