Break Out the Bubbly

In an unbelievable stroke of bad planning, the holiday in which we’re supposed to stuff ourselves into our LBDs or form-fitting suits follows two of the most gluttonous holidays of the year. Seriously, who planned that?! But, I digress. The topic at hand isn’t the amount of shimmies it will take to get into the glittery garb. It’s about what to drink to help you forget your regrets about having that second scoop of, well, everything.

It’s the time of the year in which a single bottle of bubbly could bust the bank. But fret not, I’ve got some killer options to keep you sipping in style without breaking into your 401K. So without further ado, I present to you the list of festive favorites.

Jole Prosecco. This is one of the serious bang for your buck options. Clocking in in the “under $15” zone, the Jole definitely over-delivers for the price point. Fun and fizzy with a well-rounded creaminess, this is the one to pick up by the caseload and keep on hand for any celebratory moment. Offer this one up with appetizers and hard cheeses and you won’t be disappointed.

Malibran Credamora Prosecco, Natural. Unfined and unfiltered is the name of the game here. Cloudy in the glass with a streamline salinity, this super small production bubbly is a real treat. The bubbles dance across your palate giving this wine a mouthfeel more accustomed to bottles four times the cost. The Malibran shines with any savory dish, but when paired with seafood-based fares, this Italian beauty will have you yelling “Mama Mia!”

Renardat-Fâche Cerdon, Organic. Hailing from one of the more obscure regions of France, this rose-hued beauty consists of a blend of Gamay and Ploussard grapes. The end result is a sparkler that not only looks great, but tastes even better. Very fruit forward notes of raspberries, strawberries and cherries make this a great pairing for chocolatey treats.

Monmousseau Ammonite Cremant De Loire Brut, Organic. A fresh and fruity stunner of sparkling Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. Look for stone fruit flavors of dried apricots that are well balanced by bready yeastiness and minerality. Perfect accompaniment to seafood dishes, especially shellfish dishes featuring oysters.

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir. Pale pink and packing a flavorful punch, the Gloria Ferrer is a prime example of how good domestic sparkling wines can be. Zippy notes of tart strawberry and raspberry with floral undertones are complemented by a luxuriously creamy finish. The well-rounded flavors of this bubbly lend it to be very versatile when it comes to pairing. Try it with spicy Asian cuisine, delicate triple cream cheeses like Saint-André and everything in between.

All of the aforementioned sparklers retail for under $30, leaving you plenty of money for an Uber ride home and copious amounts of New Year’s Day brunch food. Although if you’re anything like me, you’ll use the extra loot to scoop up a second bottle and ply your friends with a little extra liquid lubrication so no one remembers that they don’t actually know the words to “Auld Lang Syne.” Happy New Year!