The most expensive bottle of champagne is being served by European restaurant Ossiano in Dubai, as per the Winter 2023/24 Gault&Millau UAE Champagne Index.
The champagne, titled Salon, Cuvée ‘S’ Blanc de Blancs 1996, is worth AED48,650.
The lowest priced bottle, on the hand is the G.H Mumm, Brut Cuvée, priced at AED445 at BB Social Dining in DIFC.
Gault&Millau’s UAE Champagne Index aims to emphasise the importance of both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drink offerings in restaurants across the UAE.
Traditionally, the focus in UAE dining establishments has been on the quality of the food and service rather than the drinks menu.
However, as the country’s fine dining reputation grows, there is an increasing demand for a comprehensive dining experience that includes exceptional beverages.
What is the Gault&Millau UAE Champagne Index?
The Gault&Millau UAE Champagne Index, introduced in 2022, aims to address this disparity.
It focuses on two key aspects: the development of unique non-alcoholic drink selections in unlicensed venues, and the establishment of world-class wine lists in licensed establishments.
One of the challenges encountered during the research process was the lack of transparency in wine lists.
Many restaurants opt not to publicly share their wine offerings, and some even exclude vintages or prices from their menus. This lack of information makes it difficult for diners to make informed choices.
The Index, compiled by Gault&Millau UAE, features 53 toque-rated restaurants. To gather data for the Index, the team visited these establishments, photographing the Champagne menus where they were not available online or provided upon request.
The findings were remarkable, with significant variations in prices observed between restaurants, even for identical bottles.
Factors such as tax variations, rent costs, and staff numbers contribute to these differences, but they don’t account for every variation.
Gault&Millau has always aimed to provide consumers with comprehensive information to help them find the finest dining experiences.
The Champagne Index serves this purpose by highlighting restaurants with accessibly priced Champagne lists, as well as those offering unique and rare vintages for discerning connoisseurs.
The publication and regular updating of the Index aim to foster a culture of openness in the industry, encouraging more competitive pricing as the market expands.
It also equips readers with the knowledge to choose restaurants that offer value not only in their food menus but also in their drinks offerings.
The Index represents a significant step forward for the UAE’s food industry, shedding light on an aspect that has long been overlooked.
Follow us on
