Why to buy: As the preferred Champagne of the British royal family, Lanson was served to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in June and her mother's 100th birthday in 2002. The British royal crest is emblazoned on each bottle, and was the first house to be awarded a Royal Warrant in 1860 by Queen Victoria. With 250 years of rich history, Lanson now serves as an official sponsor of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships where guests sip Champagne and eat fresh strawberries with cream. Crowds headed to this summer's London Olympics will no doubt carry on the tradition, and now you can, too.

Nose and palate:

Black Label NV: Lively in the flute, this champagne has a fine stream of persistent bubbles. Hints of toast and flowers are on the nose and ripe fruit and citrus are on the palate. This bottle will cellar beautifully.

Rose Label NV: Bone dry, but highlighted with pretty aromas of roses and fruit on the nose, this wine is beloved for its freshness and flavors of juicy red berries. This wine has a gorgeously long and lingering finish.

In this collection:

Black Label NV

Rose Label NV

Brand: Gilt Wine

Origin: France