IMHO it’s saved by the mimosa. Throw some orange juice in that overhyped sparkling grape juice and I am IN. Great for tolerating events with people you don’t like.

I had LOTS before I had one from a friend who really knows wines.

That changed my opinion of champagne as a whole, but most of it (especially in the US, or the Brut style) just sucks.

But that's wine in general. I've had lots of mediocre wine and a few that were fantastic (to my tastes).

Consider all the varieties and vintages, then everyone's personal tastes, and it's no wonder opinions are all over the map.

Champagne is one of the few drinks that generally fucks me.

I can have nine or ten pints in a night and feel rubbish but function the following day. I can have a bottle or two of sparkling wine and feel like shit for the following morning, but still function.

Two glasses of champers and I am literally doubled over with a bastard of a hangover the following day.