The World’s Most Admired Champagne Brands 2026 Drinks International Report

Now in its 13th year, the list has been extended to 40 champagne houses for the 2026 edition as competition continues to grow.

To collate the results, Drinks International polls a collection of the world’s leading independent sommeliers, retail buyers, wholesalers, bar managers, Masters of Wine and specialist wine writers.

Every academy member is asked to select the five champagne brands they most admire in descending order. The voters were advised to consider quality, consistency, branding, marketing, the price to quality ratio, and their general level of admiration.

The brands on this list are all recognized, prestigious and widely available around the world. They have generally demonstrated a high level of consistent quality over a long period of time. However, renowned champagne expert Giles Fallowfield highlighted changes in the rankings, influenced by vintage quality, marketing initiatives and other global affairs. Its in-depth harvest report and profile of each house featured in our prestigious list provide valuable insight into current trends and developments in the champagne market.

Of course there are fluctuations in the rankings but some brands are unwavering, most of all Louis Roederer whom have now topped the list for the seventh year running. The mixture of experimentation and consistent reinvention, striving for excellence, clever and subtle marketing and most importantly top quality wines across the range has made them so successful.

The brands featured on the list are all established, prestigious and widely enjoyed across the world. They have generally displayed high levels of consistent quality over a long period of time.

Louis Roederer first secured top spot in 2018 and in the subsequent years has dominated the ranking. For the 2026 edition, Krug was the runner-up while former winner Bollinger completed the podium.

Click here to see the 2025 results.