HAPPY NEW YEAR! Make sure you ring it in with some sparkling wine. Like this one...

Cattier Chigny-Les-Roses Premier Cru Champagne Brut. $35.95
Champagne, France
It's very difficult to find any champagne below $40, so this is even better with the current $5 off special... Light and yeasty nose with a few layers of flavours including a bit of anise. Very dry and smooth on the palate, medium bodied and with a smooth and elegant finish of biscuit and green apple. Always excellent value, now it's even better. 89 points.

There are some great standbys too - and you don't have to do Yellow Tail or Friexenet if you're unable/unwilling to stretch to champagne this New Year's. Instead, go for SEAVIEW BRUT METHODE CHAMPENOISE, Product # 216333, $ 11.95 - this Aussie is a very good bottom end bubbly bet and there are lots of bottles all over the province.

Another reliable cheapie is from one of the oldest winemakers in Spain - CODORNIU BRUT CLASICO SPARKLING, Product # 6262, $ 12.10 There's also pretty good distribution of this one. Too bad their even better rose is not available at present...

The current crop of sparklers released earlier this month at Vintages should still be kicking around as well:

Charles Heidsieck Champagne Reserve Brut. $59.95
Champagne, France
Fresh minerally nose with a hint of caramel and toast. Big rich surprise on the palate, which has well integrated nougat, toast, lemon and a nice bit of sweetness. There's a good finish with more nougat. 90 points.

Drappier Signature Blanc de Blancs Champagne Brut. $50.95
Champagne, France
Lovely nose with honeyed notes, lemon and a bit of ripe peach and anise. Super smooth on the palate, which is creamy yet elegant. Fairly delicate mousse with some sweet lemon notes. Great finish with sweet citrus. 90 points.

Henriot Souverain Champagne Brut. $62.95
Champagne, France
Rich and muted nose on this elegant offering from a great producer. There's nougat, some toast and some complex darker notes. Smooth and elegant on the palate, with a fine tiny-bubbled mousse. It's very dry, but the lemon notes are smoothed with a touch of sweetness. Flawless finish. 91 points

Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Rose 2003. $88.95
Champagne, France
Very pale orange/pink colour on this vintage rose. Rather muted nose with a yeasty underpinning. Dark red berry notes and nicely evident. Very elegant mousse and fresher and lighter than expected on the smooth palate. Some lemon notes and a hint of strawberry. Terrific, complex finish. 92 points.

Pol Roger Champagne Extra Cuvee de Reserve Brut 1999. $82.95
Champagne, France
A beautiful still-young vintage number here. Rich and darker nose with toast, caramel and the beginnings of mature wet-leaves notes under fresh lemon. Very lively and even juicy on the palate. Sweet lemon fruit, a honeyed note and the mousse calms down to elegant. Lovely finish. 93 points.

Taittinger Champagne Prestige Brut Rose. $84.95
Champagne, France
Lovely pale pink colour. Fresh and lively nose with lighter red berry fruit notes plus some earthy richness. Super smooth and rich on the palate. Delicate mousse. Notes of lemon peel, a slight sweetness and some vanilla. Lovely finish. 92 points.

Henry of Pelham Cuvee Catharine Brut. $29.95
VQA Niagara
Rich nose with nougat, lemon and a bit of an aged note of toffee. Moderately lively mousse, great acidity, fresh lemon. Rich, clean and fairly full. Decent lingering finish of lemon candy. A definite contender for Canada's best bubbly. 88 points. 

Roederer Estate Brut Sparkling Wine. $28.95
Anderson Valley, California
Try Louis's California cousin - it's good and a lot cheaper. Lovely muted nose of lemon and apple peel. Bubbly on the palate. Acidity is high, but its very smooth. Also very dry, with some fresh lemon and a bit of caramel. Lovely finish. 88/89 points.

Domaine Louis Bouillot Perle D'Aurore Brut Rose. $19.95 ** GOOD VALUE **
Burgundy, France
Cremant de Bourgogne is usually a reliable champagne substitute and here's a great example. Light, elegant salmon colour and a rich nose with red berry fruit and biscuit notes. Fairly muted on the palate, which has a bit of lemon and grape. Dry and light feel overall and there's a good finish with more lemon. 88 points.

Belussi Belcanto Spumante Extra Dry. $19.95
Veneto, Italy
Great nose of white fruit with a hint of biscuit and anise. The usual prosecco burst of bubbles on the palate. Acidity is high and there are lemon peel notes. Not very fruity on the palate, but there is a slightly cloying finish. 87 points.

For more information about champagne and tasting notes from a number of houses, read my Champagne Travelogue.

To check availability near you, copy the wine name and paste it into the product search window in the top left corner of this page. It is always a good idea to check online and, if the inventory shows fewer than five bottles, call to confirm.