A bottle of bubbly is my go-to gift to convey a wide variety of feelings: Congrats! Happy housewarming! Happy birthday! I love you. I’m sorry.
No matter what the occasion, I show up at most events with a bottle of prosecco, cava or sparkling wine in hand. In my opinion, there is no better sound than the pop of a cork. So far, I’ve never heard an objection from my hosts.
The tough part is finding the right bottle. When you’ve graduated from Andre but don’t want to invest in a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for every special occasion, where’s the middle ground? I’ve stood in many busy wine aisles wondering the same thing. After years of in-depth research (and a few terrible champagne hangovers), I learned something: You can have it all.
There are bottles out there that meet all three of my requirements: excellent taste, tasteful label and decent price point. And with the holidays approaching quickly, you better bet my fridge is stocked with a grab-and-go selection for every party.
Here are five of my favorite bottles available for under $20 each at downtown retailers Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Target. Please keep in mind that prices and availability vary depending on your location. Now, let’s pop some bottles.
La Granja 360 cava brut
$6.99 at Trader Joe’s
Perhaps it’s the animal lover in me, but I rarely leave Trader Joe’s without a bottle of this duck-embellished cava in my cart. It’s priced right, and the label suggests you spent more than you really did. It’s crisp, light and ideal for a quick gift or mimosa-fueled brunch.
La Marca prosecco
$13.99 at Target
I like to keep a few bottles of La Marca in my fridge for pre-dinner toasts and boozy birthday presents. In my opinion, it’s the Honda Civic of bubbly: dependable, smart and an unbeatable value. It’s positively refreshing with notes of citrus, lemon, green apple and grapefruit.
Portell cava rosé
$13.99 at Whole Foods
If your evening calls for something both pink and bubbly (as it should), this bottle of rosé should do the trick. With strawberry notes and bubbles for days, it’s my companion of choice for girly get-togethers and potluck parties.
Madame Liberte brut sparkling wine
$16.99 at Whole Foods
With notes of green apple, pear, stone fruit and yeast, you won’t want to mix this unique sparkling wine with orange juice. Serve it at your holiday party alongside the cheese plate or pop it at your New Year’s Eve celebration with friends.
Mionetto Il prosecco
$8.99 at Trader Joe’s
Wrap a ribbon around this sophisticated bottle and you’ve got a practical present for your next housewarming party. Delicate bubbles balance out dynamic notes of green apple and white peach. And you can’t really beat the under-$10 price tag.