Move over, church bells; the true anthem of a New Year celebration is the exhilarating burst of champagne corks popping.

The UK is well-known for its love of a good drink, and when it’s time for a grand occasion, nothing quite matches the elegance of sparkling wine.

While Prosecco has captured British hearts, with 36 percent of Italy’s sparkling wine finding its way here annually, the more refined French champagne steals the limelight during the festive season.

According to data from wine retailer Majestic, released around this time last year, they were selling a bottle of champagne every five seconds, with 40 percent of their champagne sales occurring in November and December.

And here’s an intriguing tidbit for your next toast: the UK ranks as the second-largest market for champagne exports globally.

Wine journalist and champagne aficionado Henry Jeffreys told the Daily Mail that when it comes to saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new, a glass of bubbly is the perfect choice.

‘It elevates the instant, transforming a simple toast into a celebration,’ he says.

‘It is especially true at New Year, when champagne becomes the marker between one chapter and the next.

‘Champagne has come to sit at the centre of these moments because it signals something out of the ordinary: luxury, celebration and arrival.

Furthermore, compared to other alcoholic drinks—such as beer, red wine, and sugary cocktails—it is a slightly healthier choice. 

Read on to find out why…  

How much sugar is in a glass of champagne? 

Assessing how sugary your champagne is is as simple as looking on the label. You’re looking out for the word ‘brut’, which is French for ‘dry’. 

It signals that no extra sugar has been added during the production or fermentation processes. Taste-wise, it is crisp and less sweet on the palate, and made from a mixture of three grapes grown in the Champagne region, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. 

Brut bottles can be Non-Vintage (NV) or from a specific year (Vintage). The most well-known brands of brut champagne are Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon, and Bollinger. 

Mr Jeffries told the Daily Mail that brut champagne contains up to 12g of sugar per litre and there are even less sugary options available. 

‘If you’re trying to cut down on sugar, look for Extra (under 6 grams per litre) or Ultra Brut (under 3 grams) styles. 

‘From there extra dry is sweeter, followed by demi-sec and then doux but these are rarely seen.’ 

He added that you can’t tell how sugary a champagne is by the hue of the liquid alone.

‘Colour is usually a sign of maturity and/or the amount of black grapes used in the production. It has no bearing on sugar levels.

‘Similarly, extreme ageing can reduce the perception of sweetness in sweet wines, making them taste less sweet, but this is rarely relevant for champagne. 

‘This is because most styles are Brut and their naturally high acidity gives a dry impression and taste regardless.’ 

A glass of brut champagne typically has just 2g of sugar, well within the NHS’ recommended daily allowance of 30g of sugar per day.  

Alice Griffiths, a Wine Communicator, tells the Daily Mail that having this bit of basic knowledge can go a long way to making a healthier choice at the supermarket or bar.

‘A Brut Nature has virtually no added sugar, we’re talking 0-3 grams per litre, while a Demi-Sec can have over 50 grams,’ she says. 

‘My advice for health-conscious drinkers? Look for “Brut Nature” or “Extra Brut” on the label.’ 

How many calories are in a glass of champagne? 

One of the reasons celebrities love champagne (apart from the taste) is that it is relatively low in calories. 

A standard glass of champagne sits around 80-90 calories, which puts it well below most cocktails you’d order at a party,’ says Ms Griffiths. 

‘Compare that to a Piña Colada at 250 calories or even a Buck’s Fizz at around 120-130, and suddenly that flute of proper champagne looks rather sensible.

‘The key is keeping to a glass rather than the whole bottle!’ 

Furthermore, a standard champagne serving size is just 125ml, which is much smaller then a glass of wine at 175 to 250ml. 

However, champagne isn’t the least sugary wine available.

Mr Jeffreys says: ‘Exact calorie counts vary drink to drink, but roughly speaking, champagne usually contains more sugar than dry styles of wine like Chablis or Sancerre which often have close to zero sugar. 

‘But, champagne does have less sugar than Prosecco which often contains up to 20g per bottle.’ 

Does champagne offer any nutritional benefits?

Because it’s made from two types of red grapes, champagne does have some nutritional benefits associated with the dark fruits… but not many. 

Champagne contain polyphenols, the antioxidants we associate with red wine, because of the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes used in the blend. 

Polyphenols are a group of antioxidants found naturally in plants which have been shown to help decrease excess cytokines, immune proteins that cause harmful inflammation in the body.

‘There’s also some interesting research suggesting that moderate champagne consumption might support cardiovascular health, although of course moderation is absolutely key here,’ adds Ms Griffiths. 

Are champagne cocktails healthy? 

Sometimes it’s fun to upgrade a classic glass of champagne to something a bit more bougie… bring on the cocktails. 

The most famous are Kir Royale (champagne with blackcurrant liqueur), Bellini (champagne mixed with peach juice), Buck’s Fizz (champagne mixed with orange juice) and French 75 (champagne with lemon juice, gin and sugar).

Plus, at any upmarket bar, you’re likely to see a classic Champagne Cocktail on the menu, which is made with sugar, Angostura bitters, champagne, brandy and a maraschino cherry.

Although it might seem like a dash of fruit juice or liqueur is adding some extra vitamins and nutrients to your drink, all you’re really doing is pouring some extra sugar in your glass. 

Ms Griffiths tells the Daily Mail: ‘Kir Royales and Buck’s Fizz aren’t the health upgrade people think they are.

‘A Kir Royale adds crème de cassis, which means you’re adding 50-70 extra calories and a serious sugar hit. 

‘Buck’s Fizz is slightly better because you’re diluting the alcohol with orange juice, so you get some vitamin C, but you’re also adding 10-15 grams of sugar. 

‘If you want a healthier twist, I’d suggest adding fresh berries to your Champagne instead, and stick to lower calorie Brut Nature champers.’ 

Mr Jeffreys, who authored Blacklane’s Champagne Index, agrees, adding that cocktails are not only higher in sugar but also booze. 

‘The other thing to take into consideration is the alcohol content of whatever you are mixing,’ he says. 

‘The creme de cassis in a Kir Royale contains up to 20 per cent alcohol, and brandy in a Champagne Cocktail is around 40 per cent.’  

What are the psychological benefits of toasting?

While it can be hard to move from one year into the next, particularly if you have lost a loved one over the past twelve months, millions of people look forward toNew Year’s Eve as it is a chance to draw a line under what has passed. 

Raising a glass to toast the calendar crossover can be psychologically powerful, says Dr Adarsh Dharendra, Consultant Psychiatrist from Priory Hospital Woking. 

‘The Fresh Start Effect is a psychological phenomenon, motivating someone to pursue or accomplish goals and make positive changes during specific times, like the beginning of a new year or month, birthdays and anniversaries,’ he explains.

‘A toast can also create lasting memories, enabling many to articulate feelings that might otherwise remain unspoken, deepening meaningful and emotional connections.

‘Ultimately, New Year represents hope and new possibilities, encouraging us to leave behind old habits and embrace better ones. Resolutions feel powerful as they give a symbolic ‘clean slate’ and a chance to start afresh.’

He adds that raising a glass with friends, family, new acquaintances or even strangers can also strengthen and cement relationships. 

‘The synchronised action of raising glasses helps create a sense of group cohesion and shared intention, and transcends social hierarchies and differences,’ he explains. 

‘It is rooted in the very basic human need for social bonding, trust, recognition, and shared experience. The gesture symbolically brings people together, similar to a handshake or the traditional breaking of bread.’