Best Cheap Champagne

I know plenty of good cheap wines that hold up quite well to the $300 bottles (Trader Joe's two-buck Buck comes to mind), but can you find the same gems within champagne world, or do you just have to shell out for a good bottle?

Recommendations appreciated...

[ScottieK]

If you can find it where you are, I recommend Gruet champagne from New Mexico. Very reasonable prices, good to excellent champagnes.

www.gruetwinery.com

Gruet review I found

ScottieK

[absoludicrous]

How much is cheap? I think "J" is very good for the price < $50 for a bottle (I think) and it's awesome.

Edit: J is a sparkling wine...not sure if that matters to you, but it's awesome.

[NoSoup4U]

You can sometimes find Piper-Heidsieck red label for $25 or so and it compares well to anything you can buy. You can get Nicolas Feuillat for $20. I don't think anything under $20 compares to these two or truly great champagnes, but I'm a bit of a wine snob.

[mp44]

Andre 3 for $10, delicious

[sushijerk]

I think italian prosecco is a good substitute for champagne and a better bargain.

[DrewDevil]

Korbel Brut is delicious to my uncultured taste buds.

[MrWookie]

[ QUOTE ]
I know plenty of good cheap wines that hold up quite well to the $300 bottles (Trader Joe's two-buck Buck comes to mind), but can you find the same gems within champagne world, or do you just have to shell out for a good bottle?

Recommendations appreciated...

[/ QUOTE ]

While two buck Chuck holds its own relative to $6-$10 wine, there is no comparison between it and just about anything that costs more than $15.

[DarrenX]

Asti-Spumante- typically $5.99-$8.99. It's a sweeter sparkling wine, which I prefer, and in my experience, females prefer. The good (re: expensive) stuff that I've had has been very dry, which may actually be the point, but not my taste.

[DarrenX]

[ QUOTE ]
I think italian prosecco is a good substitute for champagne and a better bargain.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just had this for the first time 3 weeks ago- personally I think it's great, but it depends on if you like sweet (it is) vs dry. Picked up some for $11.99, World Market.