Whenever a well-meaning non-wine-expert presents me with an “amazing wine discovery,” I approach the bottle with a healthy dose of skepticism. Like the time my dad whipped out a bottle of Champagne from Costco—bearing the big box store’s in-house label, Kirkland—I was especially suspicious, mostly because of the price tag.
“This is the best Champagne I’ve had in years,” he crowed.
“Champagne for less than $30?” I thought to myself. “This is going to be rough.”
But, like any researcher and analyst worth her salt, I ponied up a glass and tried to go in with an open mind.
The Costco Champagne that completely surprised me
I was shocked—and delighted—to discover a fruit-forward Champagne, boasting notes of green apples and citrus, with light brioche and a subtle creaminess, crisp acidity, and a fresh, lively fizz.
It’s clean, easy drinking, elegant, and surprisingly complex.
How can a Costco-brand Champagne be so good?
Note that I said, “so good,” not “the best,” like my overexcited father declared.
Putting on my wine geek hat, I would say that Kirkland Signature Champagne doesn’t quite have the depth, full mouthfeel, or lingering finish of truly elite Champagnes—but that’s also not the most useful comparison. Those bottles generally cost three or four times as much as Kirkland’s, and can easily run 10 times the price.
Compared with other entry-level Champagnes, though, Kirkland delivers a far better drinking experience than most in its category, especially at such a bargain-basement price. (Most entry-level Champagnes start at $40 a pop.)
Who actually makes Costco’s Kirkland Champagne?
It’s made by serious producers: Costco launched its Kirkland Signature private-label brand in the 1990s in collaboration with established brands and manufacturers. As the line expanded in the 2000s, Costco earned a reputation for partnering with top-tier producers—from Duracell for batteries to Starbucks for coffee—often delivering quality comparable to the name brands at a significant savings.
The Champagne has long been associated with a highly respected house: While Costco doesn’t officially publish its list of partners, the in-house Champagne is consistently linked with Manuel Janisson, an esteemed Champagne producer based in Verzenay, a Grand Cru village in Champagne—a designation reserved for some of the region’s highest-rated vineyard areas.
It still has to meet strict French Champagne standards: Because the wine is produced in Champagne by a respected house, buyers can expect a reliably high-quality bottle. The Champagne must also follow the strict production and aging rules required for any wine labeled “Champagne” in France.
Why Costco Champagne costs so much less
Costco buys at enormous scale: Costco’s sheer size and limited range of offerings change the economics of every product sold there. Because the company buys in bulk for its 900-plus warehouses—which average roughly 146,000 square feet each—it has tremendous negotiating power with suppliers and partners.
The company keeps the selection intentionally small: Unlike traditional wine retailers that stock dozens of Champagnes, Costco offers a far more limited selection. That streamlined approach, paired with aggressive pricing, allows the company to move huge volumes of a single bottle like Kirkland Signature Champagne.
Membership fees change the pricing model: Traditional retailers rely heavily on markups for profits, whereas Costco generates much of its operating income from annual membership fees paid by its 145 million-plus members. That gives the company more flexibility to keep prices unusually low.
Costco skips the luxury-brand marketing machine: Most Champagne houses and luxury brands spend heavily on glossy ad campaigns, social media, TV spots, and other expensive marketing efforts. Costco, by contrast, does very little traditional advertising—another cost savings it can pass along to shoppers.
What should I pair with my new favorite Champagne?
Kirkland Signature’s balanced, fresh, fruit-forward flavors make it an especially versatile food-pairing Champagne.
The bright acidity works with rich foods: The wine’s crisp acidity cuts through the briny richness of oysters and shellfish while balancing creamy cheeses like Brie and Camembert.
It absolutely shines with fried food: My all-time favorite Champagne pairing is french fries—but really, any form of fried food works beautifully here, especially if there’s a gooey center involved.
There’s enough richness for heartier dishes too: Thanks to its subtle creaminess and touch of richness, this Champagne also pairs wonderfully with roast chicken and duck.
Why this is the ultimate party Champagne
But also, parties! This is a gastronomic Champagne, ideal for sipping with a range of foods, but it’s also the ultimate party pour. You can buy several bottles without going broke and know that you’re treating friends and family to a delightful, authentic sip of real Champagne.
I may not be quite as bullish about Kirkland Signature Champagne as my father, but few people are. When I pour glasses for fellow wine pro friends, we all agree: it may not be the best Champagne we’ve ever tasted, but for the price? It’s unbeatable.
