Bargain Epernay Champagne?

[jamiebae]

On the way back to England for Christmas I'm planning a stop in Epernay en-route, as it's conveniently located and a nice place for dinner. I need to grab some champagne too, and was planning to raid Majestic in Calais and get it with the rest of the wine but thought maybe there's a nice small champagne house worth getting it from rather than the default Nicolas Feuillette for £14 a bottle from the aforementioned booze warehouse.

I'm after a drinkable NV Champagne, nothing flash, but nice, there are a couple of bottles of nicer stuff there already so I just need a case for general drinking.

[cslwannabe]

Go to Reims or Epermay and taste some - the big name branded stuff isn't much cheaper than it is in the UK but the real bargains are the lesser know ones.

[jamiebae]

Absolutely, but I don't have time for tasting (will arrive in the evening and leave mid morning the next day) so was hoping for some recommendations.

I remember trying one at a small place a few years ago and it was terrible so don't want to come home with a case of battery acid...

[marshalla]

Small(ish) detour to Chateau d'Etoges.

Excellent stuff from their own vineyards. Quite a light and "appley" flavour to it. Also a very good place to overnight or have dinner/lunch (if you have time for it).

[littlebasher]

Funnily enough, i found the cheapest and largest collection of Bubbly at a supermarket on the outskirts of Reims (E. Leclerc Champfleury).

Some of the bottles were like £6 each and pretty good tbh

[ChrisnChris]

Not Epernay but reasonably close, we stop off here if we can, friendly family, samples usually available.
The Grande Réserve brut fits your price range but we usually buy Vieille Réserve brut. I would highly recommend both.

http://www.champagne-veuve-olivier.com/#uneculture

[Davey S2]

marshalla said:

Small(ish) detour to Chateau d'Etoges.

Excellent stuff from their own vineyards. Quite a light and "appley" flavour to it. Also a very good place to overnight or have dinner/lunch (if you have time for it).

That's where I proposed to my now wife!