Holiday Bubbly! Champagne-like Class on the Cheap for your Holiday Party or Holiday Gift Giving.

You don't have to blow your budget to serve up or give the gift of fabulous bubbles. Champagne gets it's name from the region of France where it is produced, however sparkling wines are produced world-wide. The bubbly may have a different name, but just as "a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet", there are some impressive, low-budget sparkling wines on the market just waiting to make your holiday season a bit more merry.

Most sparkling wines come in different levels of sweetness, so keep that in mind while shopping around. The order is from less sweet, or "dry", to more sweet, and the list is as follows:

• Brut Nature
• Extra Brut
• Brut
• Extra Dry, Seco, or Sec
• Demi or Semi-seco
• Dulce, Sweet, or Doux

Spain:

Cava from Spain is produced in the Champagne method but is a much better value for the money. Most Cava is produced in Catalonia, and comes either white or pink. With price tag potential as low as $10, Cava rates high on the frugal-diva list. This gem is not meant to age though, so drink up young!

Portugul:

Espumante from Portugul is more difficult to locate than Cava, but is an equally delicious alternative to Champagne if you can get your hands on a bottle. Typically available in one of two levels, VQPRD made in the typical champagne method, or Espumosos which is cheaper to produce (injected with CO2). Prices typically start at $14.

Italy:

Italian sparklers typically come as spumante (fully bubbly) and frizzante (lightly sparkling).

Oh lovely Prosecco- with your delightful effervescence! Shall I compose an Ode? Likely the most readily available and inexpensive of the note-worthy imported sparkling wines, Prosecco stands it's ground firmly. Available for around $6 and up, Prosecco is the perfect crowd pleaser for your holiday party or new years eve party, and next day mimosas. Prosecco tends to have a more bold flavor than the others and lends itself well to being slightly flavored with juices or liqueurs.

Italy also boasts it's slightly sweet Asti, and Lambrusco. Asti and Moscato d'Asti is made from the Moscato grape from the province of Asti. It is lower in alcohol than Prosecco. Mostcato d'Asti is frizzante, Asti is spumonte. Asti is available around the same price point as Prosecco, but I think you already know which I prefer!

Lambrusco is also frizzante and made from a red grape of the same name. Traditional Lambrusco is dry, but slightly sweet and sweet versions are more common in the US. Most of what we Americans know as Lambrusco is cheap and mass produced jug-wine that has gotten a bad reputation.. If you want a true Lambrusco, look to spend around $20. They are difficult to come by in the US. The $4 Lambrusco that you see on the shelves doesn't even come close!

Last but not least comes Brachetto d'Aqui, a slightly sweet sparkling wine with hints of strawberry. You will want to keep this one all for yourself.  If you have an urge to share, it will make the perfect holiday gift. $17 and up.

Of course, Italy has more - it is Italy after all!

Germany:

Sekt is Germany's quality sparkler. It too can be found in a sliding scale of sweetness, from super sweet to dry. A variety of grapes are used, so it is difficult to provide detail on specific characteristics. Most Sekt is not exported. Prices can be $30 and up stateside.

United States:

You would be hard pressed to name a wine grape that the United States, namely California, has not attempted to grow; or a style of wine that it hasn't attempted to duplicate. California, Oregon, New Mexico, and even New York state have all taken a shot at sparkling wines. Most of them, unfortunately, have missed their target. The grapes used range widely from Riesling, Traminer, Muscatel to the more common Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc. Unless you plan on splurging on a higher-end (more in the price range of actual Champagne) the quality and taste shows a considerable difference from more inexpensive imports.

Other:

Australia, Romania, South Africa, Hungary, and the Soviet Union also have their foot in the door of the sparkling wine domain, but none are as note-worthy or readily available as the above list.

Enjoy!

"I drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty." ~ Madame Lilly Bollinger