So far, almost everybody seems to enjoy:
-Billecart-Salmon
-Gosset
-Pol Roger

This is some information to work with, once again: Thank you!

Pommery is dependable and quite OK. You can safely drink it without any of the salvage items.

Cheers,
T.

Also a fan of the Billecart-Salmon Ros� NV, although it is over the OP's price range.

Vueve Clicquot Yellow Label used be much more reliable 13-15 years ago, I think they've sacrifice quality for quantity to meet market demand.

If the OP is out side of the US, I'd suggest finding a Jacque Selosse NV, blanc de blanc or ros�.

Duetz is becoming more available in the US, the NV is very nice and in the right price range.

Just came across a new to me brand a couple week ends ago - A. Charbaut & Fils Cuvee de Reserve Brut - one of the best < $30 champagnes I've ever had. We picked up a few more bottles to try out, if they are as enjoyable as the bottle we've had already it may be our new house champagne.

Cheers,
Jeff

The Selosse wines are well worth checking out but not the easiest of champagnes to enjoy -- the oakiness is a bit much for some people.

I suppose I must give Deutz another go; I've had only a few bottles and they have been pretty consistently too astringent for my taste.

Cheers,
T.

That's interesting that you prefer the blanc de blancs. After our Champagne-tasting sprees in Champagne and at Lavinia and the Salon des Vignerons Independants last year, we came to the conclusion that we like champagnes that include some Pinot Meunier in the blend and find the blanc de blancs a little dull (although we did like Bardy-Chauffert's). To each his own.

We just got back from a quick trip to the Loire this past weekend, where we tried the vin petillant produced in Vouvray. Not as sweet as champagne (at least not the wines we tried from Huet and Champalou). We imagine, therefore, that they could be quite nice on a hot summer's day - or good for blending with a champagne cocktail we discovered at l'Hotel in Paris last year: champagne or sparkling wine, a half shot of liqueur des violettes and a half shot of lime juice.

We bought half a case, so I'll report back tomorrow on the success of our experiment. Time to celebrate: a) end of the work week; b) my dad's last evening in Paris with us; and, most importantly, the last day of my awful job. (Not to mention the fact that we need to finish up the opened bottle of liqueur des violettes because we can't ship open liquor when we move ...

In addition to all the great suggestions here, I would add two on the sweeter side--champagne with dessert (or in lieu of), is always fun. Schramsberg Cremant and Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial. These are especially good for family/friends who do not like champagne bone dry. To the OP, go to a champagne tasting, or host one at home to see what you like. And enjoy!

That's as vintage as I get.

If I might suggest the addition of Deutz?
Gosset is a standard hostess gift as well as a regular inclusion in my gift baskets.
Salon has a second lable which is delicious.

^well said that man. Champagne is a dynamic and exciting region. There is too little awareness of decent artisan producers let alone understanding of style.

Charles Heidsieck Mis en Cave is one of the most reliable Champagnes and being Chardonnay dominant is most suited to inflight consumption as it is fresh and not too aldehydic.

Egol-Ouriet is stunning grower-producer. I bet the big guns are getting edgy with talented people opting out of supply contracts. Whilst there is no denying that Dom Perignon is a great Champagne, it is also made in large quantities - I have realible information that indicates up to 300,000 dozen a vintage. I wonder how much Moet NV is made?!!!!!

Can you explain the list slawecki came out with then?

Are the '10-15 branded wines' included or not included on that list? If not, what are they???

I think he means heavily 'promoted' brands such as those featuring overly-skinny super-models who should be having a nutrient rich meal rather than alcohol and that other stuff Kate Moss allegedly enjoys.

The sort of brands included would be thosethat are generally found at airport duty free eg Moet, Veuve, Piper-Heidseick etc They are not bad products however being large volume production does mean that they are more likely to vary in consistency, and this is certainly my experience - as NVs are from multiple vintages, if you are drinking NV champagne on the tail-end of successive decent vintages the NV are likely to be stronger - don't believe all that hog-wash about NV Champagne being entirely consistent - champagne producers would like you to believe that.

Charles heidseick has a mis en cave date (somewhat confusing) on its NV to indicate the cellar release date, which allows you to ascertain which batch its from. So that if you like a release you know next time you are buying it from the same batch or not.

I know other have mentioned Nicolas Feuillatte, but no one has mentioned the rose, which I really like. A great rose Champagne option at just under $40 per bottle.

I love the Nicolas Feuillate Rose too! I had another terrific rose Champagne by a small family-run house last year, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was called. I'll do some digging. I want to say it was Thierry something, but that doesn't look quite right.

LapLap, thanks for your comments on Cava! Since Champagne is usually out of my price range for everyday drinking but I firmly believe in celebrating even the little occasions (i.e. doing laundry) with "vin mousseaux," I drink a lot of Cava, and I'm always looking for more.

Very informative thread! I'm suddenly thirsty...

Oh that is ever so soothing! ^

Spanish cava is the best!