The time has finally arrived for a review I’ve been putting off for ages. I have reviewed nearly every other major Champagne brand, from Moët to Mumm, but I haven’t yet touched on Veuve Clicquot (outside of a legacy “Sipping With Smoth” story where I bragged about making risotto and drinking the Champagne now under review).

Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne is a Pinot Noir-forward, non-vintage, blended Champagne that is the best-selling bubbly in the United States. Its yellow/orange label is beyond iconic, and it’s frequently found in the glasses of the world’s most wealthy and famous. But despite all that lustre, I have a confession to make — I’ve never really liked Veuve.

I’ve had it a handful of times, from generous New Year’s Eve hosts to the pre-flight Champagne served on Emirates first class. And every single time I’m left with the following impression: “meh.” But my Costco-loving best man Dan and his wife Laura decided to host a spontaneous caviar night (with all the traditional fixings right down to homemade blinis) I knew my time had come. It was time to drop the big bucks on a bottle of this bright orange bubbly. Here’s what I thought:

Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne Review

My preconceived notions were bound to cloud my judgment, caviar or not. Luckily, Dan and Laura opted to pop a bottle of the Nicholas Feuillatte Brut first. A true “gateway” Champagne, Nicholas Feuillatte is a lovely — if simple — bubbly that I thought would set the bar well. Priced nearly $20 less a bottle than Veuve, it would certainly be outperformed by its upmarket kin right? Right?

Veuve Clicquot pours a rich gold colour, lively with active itty-bitty bubbles. On the nose, it smells pleasantly of nectarine, pear, a kiss of citrus fruit, and just a touch of bread — so far so good. But after a sip the good times — well they don’t exactly “end” per se, but they just kind of stall.

I find every Veuve I’ve tried just tastes kind of…boring. And this bottle was no exception — the fruit from the nose was there, joined by a kiss of peach. The bread intensified into almost light toast or perhaps a bit of nuttiness. It’s far from sweet, with a bright acidity that almost outshines the rest of the flavours present. There’s very little minerality, something I love in my Champagne, and it has a brief, very slightly sour finish — not punishingly so, but noticeable especially after a bottle of Nic F.

Basically, it’s a fine bottle of wine. Enjoyable even, especially if served for free. But it’s not free, at least not at my liquor store, where it goes for around $80 per bottle (even more if you get it at Costco, with a god’s honest Champagne coozy pictured below). And at that price point, Veuve gets dusted by its competition. It gets mauled by Moët (which is cheaper) and pummeled by Pol Roger at the same price. Basically, any of the name-brand heavy hitters offers a better bubbly than Veuve Clicquot, and if I’m spending Champagne money, I’m reaching for a different bottle to sip slow.

Veuve Clicquot Champagne coozy.