Nothing evokes thoughts of summer more than the beach, and of course, dinners with friends, picnics, late-night celebrations and weddings. And we can't think of an event without champagne since champagne is the drink poured on all important celebratory occasions.

Since we have two very close friends tying the knot this summer, we were tasked with selecting the right champagne for their toast. After sampling several options, below are three of our top choices that we've determined are the greatest selections for the price.

And on another note, if you will be attending a wedding or two this summer as a guest, a bottle of champagne also makes a wonderful and classy gift for the newlyweds. We have some recommendations for that too.

For Your Champagne Toast:
NV Laurent Perrier Brut Champagne - 90 points RP - $33.95 / btl
This champagne provides a lot of bang for the buck and is one of our favorite values. It's perfect for a champagne toast. Your guests will be totally satisfied as they sip on this, and you will be happy that you paid less than $35 per bottle for a classy and sophisticated French sparkler.

NV Pol Roger Brut - 92 points WS - $38.95 / btl
This too, is a nice choice for a champagne toast. It's not too expensive, and it will show incredibly well. Also, keep in mind that a bottle of champagne will comfortably fill 7 champagne flutes. We've had this one several times, and you can expect a creamy and velvety body. Wine Spectator said that it '?has enough personality to be a vintage champagne.' That's a big statement since vintage champagnes typically are released only about 3 times per decade. This champagne house was a favorite of Winston Churchill, and its cuvee prestige champagne was named after him. We also carry the Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill, which is priced at $199/btl.

NV Veuve Clicquot Brut - 91 points WS - $42.95 / btl
Veuve Clicquot is a class act when it comes to champagne. It is a label recognized by virtually everyone and is liked by many seasoned champagne drinkers. And, if you are tying the knot this summer and are having a mid-large sized wedding celebration, we have this champagne in large format bottles including a 9L, 12L & 15L. What a statement this big bottle will make!


A Gift for the Bride & Groom:
2002 Moet Chandon Dom Perignon - 96 points RP - $169 / btl
Everyone knows and loves this champagne, and for good reason.  It is one of the finest champagnes produced in all of Champagne, France.  Because Dom Perignon is only produced in the best years - the vintage years, you know for certain you will be sipping quality when you buy this champagne.  It is classic, timeless, and will make a fabulous wedding gift for the bride & groom.

2002 Louis Roederer Cristal - 97 points RP-HG - $225 / btl
Another remarkable champagne house, Louis Roederer made the very first cuvee prestige champagne, Cristal, back in the late 1800s. It has clearly stood the test of time due to its high quality, keeping consumers coming back for more, year after year. This particular vintage is made of a blend of pinot noir and chardonnay, with pinot noir dominating the blend. Antonio Galloni has said that the 2002 Cristal, "? is a gorgeous, seductive Cristal of the highest level."

1996 Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil - 97+ points RP - $359 / btl
If you are looking to impress or make a big statement, Salon is where it's at. It is by far one of the best champagne houses. It gained its reputation as a top-notch champagne producer because it always delivers! It is made of 100% chardonnay, and its grapes come from a single vineyard, Le Mesnil. With notes of wet stone and flint combined with floral aromas, it is creamy and crisp at the same time. The Salon's tiny bubbles are a masterpiece inside a glass. It really gives a new meaning to tiny bubbles. It is a champagne that will last for years to come, and the bride and groom can enjoy this bottle on a future anniversary.