Where to find the most affordable, first-rate bubbly for your celebration

Here’s a conundrum: Is it possible to celebrate with bubbly when you’re on a budget?

The answer is –– unequivocally –– yes. You can budget indulgence with an inexpensive sparkler because there are so many of great quality on the market. Top picks under $25 include: Roederer Estate’s NV Anderson Valley Brut; Domaine Chandon’s Brut Classic NV California; and Mirabelle NV North Coast Brut.

When value shopping, it’s key to find bottles that are made in the traditional method that champagne is produced. Look for this wording on the label: “Traditional method” or “fermented in this bottle.” If you see a label that says “Charmat Process,” beware. The sparkler’s secondary fermentation was in a big container or a tank and this process will create big soda pop bubbles, rather than the preferred pinpoint bubbles.

Other cost-effective sparklers to explore are proseccos, the Italian sparkling wine from the region of the Veneto in Italy’s northeast corner. These sparklers can be dry or sweet, but most proseccos are produced in a dry brut style. They just seem sweeter because of the grapes’ fruity flavors. Some tasty producers under $20 include: Carpene Malvolti, Mia and Zardetto.

You don’t have to have a six-digit figure to splurge on bubbly. You just have to do your homework.

Wine writer Peg Melnik can be reached at 707-521-5310 or peg.melnik@pressdemocrat.com.