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It’s always nice to have a go-to Champagne, said Sam Stone in “Bon Appetit.” In a blind taste test of bottles under $100 from the biggest houses, we sought brut Champagnes that could be counted to deliver “a clean finish, pinprick bubbles, and a stellar balance of acidity, fruit, and minerality.” These “easy-drinking” bottles bested the competition.

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label ($46)
It doesn’t have a distinct aroma, but Veuve is a crowd-pleaser with “a bright green apple note” complemented by “a dash of citric acidity.”

Bollinger Special Cuvee ($80)
Lemon-lime notes and a “briny mineral aroma” distinguish this balanced cuvee. “What really set this Champagne apart, though,” is the “sharp effervescence” of its bubbles.

Billecart-Salmon ($63)
With its “delicate balance of acid, refreshing orchard fruits, and light breadiness,” this turned out to be “a crisp, structured Champagne we couldn’t get enough of.”