Is Korbel Champagne good?
Korbel Brut is a fine, affordable California sparkling wine for toasts and mimosas, though it isn't true Champagne and tastes simpler and a bit fruitier than the real thing.
Korbel Brut California Champagne · Sparkling blend · California · nearly every grocery store, especially around the holidays
- Alcohol
- About 12%
- Sweetness
- Brut, on the softer side (about 10 g/L sugar)
- Grapes
- Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard and Pinot Noir
- Made by
- Korbel, owned by the Heck family
- From
- Russian River Valley (Guerneville), California
- Price
- About $12 to $15
- Calories
- About 120 in a 5 oz glass (estimate)
What it tastes like
Apple, citrus and a little strawberry, with lively bubbles. Light and easy, ending soft rather than really crisp.
- Bodylight → big
- Sweetnessdry → sweet
- Zingsoft → zippy
Is it worth $13?
It's fine for the price. For the same money, Freixenet is drier and crisper, and Chandon is a real step up for a few dollars more.
Who it’s for
Holiday toasts, big parties and mimosas. If you want a bubbly to sip and savor, spend a little more.
How to serve it
Very cold.
The backstory
Three Korbel brothers from Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) started the winery in Sonoma's Russian River Valley in 1882, and the Heck family has owned it since 1954. It's made the traditional way, with the bubbles formed in each bottle, and Korbel is the biggest US maker of bubbly done that way. It's allowed to say "California Champagne" because a 2006 US and EU trade deal grandfathered in brands already using the word. Grapes like Chenin Blanc and French Colombard make it fruitier and softer than true Champagne.
How it compares
- Korbel vs Freixenet
Freixenet is drier and crisper for a bit less; Korbel is softer and fruitier, which some people like better for mimosas.
- Korbel vs Chandon
Chandon costs about $8 more and is drier, finer and more Champagne-like; Korbel is the pick for big parties on a budget.
- Korbel vs Kirkland Champagne
If you have a Costco card, Kirkland is real French Champagne for not much more and a big step up; Korbel is easier to find anywhere.
What to eat with it
- Brunch
- Ham →
- Shrimp cocktail →
- Popcorn
Questions people ask
- Is Korbel real Champagne?
- No. It's California sparkling wine made the same way as Champagne. Korbel gets to keep the word on its label because it was using it before a 2006 trade deal stopped new US brands from doing so.
- Is Korbel Brut sweet?
- It's dry but on the soft side. Korbel says it has a touch of sweetness, about 10 grams of sugar per liter, so it tastes rounder than a crisp Cava.
- How much is a bottle of Korbel Champagne?
- About $12 to $15 for a 750 ml bottle, and it often goes on sale around New Year's. It also comes in mini 187 ml bottles and 1.5 liter magnums.
- Does Korbel Champagne expire?
- It won't spoil, but it's best within about a year or two of buying it while it's fresh. Opened, a stopper in the fridge buys you a day or two.
- Is Korbel good for mimosas?
- Yes. It's cheap, fruity and soft, so it plays nicely with orange juice.
- Who owns Korbel?
- The Heck family, who bought it in 1954. It's still family-owned and based in Guerneville, in Sonoma County.
If you like this, try
- FreixenetMacabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada · about $11Good buy
- ChandonChardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier · about $22Good buy
- MionettoGlera · about $13Good buy
Where Moxie recommends it
- What wine goes with chicken?
- What wine goes with Thai food?
- What's the best wine under $15?
- What's the best cheap champagne?
- What is the best champagne for mimosas?
- What is sparkling wine?
- Brut vs Extra Dry: what's the difference?
Last checked 2026-10-04. Moxie Vino isn’t affiliated with Korbel; this is our honest take. Bottle photo: Korbel.