Toast the 2013 New Year with a Bottle of Champagne

The pop of the Champagne cork is as much a part of the New Year’s Eve soundtrack as "Auld Lang Syne" and fireworks. The tiny, tickling bubbles evoke celebratory moods.

With so many sparkling wines to choose from, picking the best bottle can be daunting. Prices for sparkling wine range from less than $10 to more than $500 per bottle. Keep in mind that while you usually get what you pay for, there are some great options for those of us on a budget. 

Large “negociant” champagne houses that purchase much of their fruit, such as Veuve Clicquot, Bollinger, Roederer, Taittinger, Perrier Jouet and Nicolas Feuillatte, dominate the market. However, in the last decade or so, Champagne from small growers has gained some traction with Champagne enthusiasts.

Only sparkling wine from the French region of Champagne can be labeled Champagne. But that doesn’t mean that quality sparkling wine can’t be produced in other parts of France and around the world.

Cremant from Burgundy, Limoux or the Loire Valley, Prosecco from Italy, Cava from Spain, and sparkling wine from Argentina and the U.S. West Coast deliver quality, value-driven sparklers.

Prosecco is chiefly grown in Italy’s Veneto region. It is vinified like Champagne. Unlike Champagne, Prosecco can deliver quality under $20. 

For luxurious vintage Prosecco, the 2009 Bisol Cartizze is an elegant, floral sparkler with layers of citrus fruit, citrus rind, stone fruits and lithe minerality. 

In its native Spain, Cava is the drink of choice on Christmas Eve. It is so value-driven that you can buy enough Cava for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. 

In the end, if you are looking to celebrate the New Year in style, Salon is, shall we say, the Champagne of Champagnes. Or, for a kid-friendly New Year's, try sparkling apple cider. 

Sample Before you Buy

This weekend, Sip City Wines in Enumclaw is all about the bubbly. The local store carries a variety of Brut, Champagne and Prosecco in stock and chilled and through Monday, Dec. 31 is offering tastings from Treveri Cellars including Rose, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Brut, Extra Brut - among others.

Sip City also carries Anna De Cordorniu which received 88 points from Wine Spectator, comes in its own wine chiller bag and is only $12. The Pierre Chainier and the Col Mesian Cuvee are also very popular, said staff.   

Sip City is open tonight (Friday) until 9 p.m. It is open both Saturday and Sunday as well as Monday, Dec. 31 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.