by Taylor Berry

One of the essentials for New Year’s Eve is the champagne toast, but you don’t need to blow a lot of money to get a nice bubbly wine. “But champagne has to come from the Champagne region of France, you nitwit!” a wine snob might argue. This is true, but there’s no reason you can’t toast 2010 with a lovely sparkling wine – bubbly wine is about celebrating, and will you or your friends really taste the difference by the time it’s midnight? Any of these fabulous sparkling wine picks will delight even a connoisseur’s palate, but they all retail for less than $30, so you can enjoy two (or three, or four…) bottles for the price of one more expensive champagne like Veuve Clicquot or Lanson. This makes Cava or Prosecco the perfect option to serve if you’re entertaining.

Serve your sparkling wine in a glass as straight as possible to preserve the bubbles – so even a water glass tumbler is better than a traditional goblet when it comes to enjoying your bubbly.

Spain:

Cordoniu Brut. A Spanish Cava made using the same process that makes champagne, that’s nice and complex at 11 years old. $12.40

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava. Notes of apple with a nice finish. Wine reviewers Gord Stimmell from The Toronto Star and Beppi Crosariol from The Globe and Mail both recommend this wonderful Cava as a substitute for champagne. $14.65

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut. Light-bodied with some pleasant tartness. $13.95

Italy:

Nino Franco Prosecco di Valdobbiadene. The original prosecco used when the classic Bellini cocktail was developed, this wine has small bubbles and is crisp and clean with a dry finish. $18.95

Hungary:

Hungaria Grande Cuvée Brut. Maybe you didn’t know that Hungary made sparkling wine, but this is a delicious bottle with great value. A little bit sweet and medium-bodied. $11.90

Australia:

Yellowglen Pink. This sparkling rosé is fun and easy to find in stores. It’s a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes and has a nice, sweet berry taste. $12.95

France:

Pierre Sparr Cremant d’Alsace Rosé. A gorgeous sparkling rosé that smells and tastes a bit like strawberries with lots of fine little bubbles. $18.95

Canada:

Trius Brut. You can’t go wrong with this classic Canadian bubbly that has a nice tartness at the finish. A little bit pricier than some of the other bottles, but you’re supporting local winemakers! $24.95

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catherine Rosé. Another blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, complex and well-rounded after about two and a half years aging. A lovely taste of strawberries and blackberries – it’s worth the extra cost if you want to treat yourself, and still less than half the cost of many champagnes. $29.95

Cheers! Here’s to a fun and bubbly 2010.