You don't need to break the bank to enjoy a bottle of bubbly! Sparkling wines are made all over world, not just in the Champagne region of France. Some sparkling wines are made exactly the same way as Champagne, using exactly the same grape varieties. Others use, with great results, grapes and technique they wouldn't dream of using in France. Here are 7 sparkling wines from around the world, most under $14, with some tips on how to open, serve, and save them.

Australia

Seaview Sparkling Shiraz Non-vintage
South Eastern Australia $13.95 (644054)
Made from 100% Shiraz grapes—yes, it looks and tastes like a red wine, except for the bubbles—this offers a lovely alternative for festive occasions. It’s also a cool conversation starter if you’re flying solo over the holiday season. There are familiar aromas and flavours of mixed field berry and sweet red cherry that are nicely framed and lifted by spice and peppery notes and 13% alcohol. Serve chilled, either on its own or with foods normally paired with red wine—pick up two bottles, you may start the party off on your own, but... (VH)


Wolf Blass ‘Yellow Label’ Sparkling Non-vintage
South Eastern Australia $17.95 (649996)
It’s the familiar and friendly ‘Yellow Label’ with the added sparkle of glorious fizz. Vinified from identical grapes as many Champagnes—Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—this looks and acts similarly, as well, a lovely straw colour with a tinge of green delivering a very fine and persistent stream of bubbles. Flavours of citrus and green apple galore this finishes dry, crisp and lip-smacking good. It’s a classy companion if you’re a dinner guest or out surfing the party scene. (VH)


Yellowglen ‘Pink’ Sparkling Non-vintage
South Eastern Australia $12.95 (15867)
An attractive slinky pink in the glass; Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes were used to make this wine with the latter contributing colour. Delicate aromas abound with floral, ripe citrus and sweet ripe strawberry predominant. The lovely persistent stream of flavour mirrors the aromas. It’s easy to go arm and arm with this for the entire evening. It won’t overpower you (it’s only 11% alcohol) or the food that accompanies it as it’s fashioned in a delightful lighter style. (VH)

Chile

Casillero del Diablo Brut Reserva 2007
Limari Valley $16.95 (92650)
This is the only ‘Vintage’ sparkling wine rated and reviewed—meaning all the grapes in the wine were harvested in one single year or vintage, in this case 2007. This is dry and delicious with boatloads of aromas and flavours—citrus, white peach, minerality and green apple. It’s medium bodied and finishes with crisp lip-smacking zest and tang. Perfect sipped on its own or with a variety of food as it’s quite food friendly. The bottle’s classy-looking and formidable in weight and size—if size really matters. (VH)

Italy

Astoria Prosecco ‘La Robina, Extra Dry’ Non-vintage
Italy $12.95 (593855)
You’ll get into the spirit pouring this as it delivers more than its fair share of froth portending an evening of fun and frivolity. It’s also bone dry and delightfully flavourful—look for minerality, ripe lemon-lime citrus and hints of pineapple. This is light bodied and sports a polished texture and a lengthy crisp, clean and refreshing finish. This pairs particularly well with seafood appetizers, freshly shucked oysters and smoked mussels. (VH)


Bottega ‘Il Vino dell’ Amore, Petalo’ Moscato Non-vintage
Italy $13.95 (588780)
Looking for cocktail conversation? Il Vino dell’ Amore translates to ‘wine of love’. This is very low alcohol, 6.5%, and sweet, a (9) on the LCBO scale. Winecurrent poured this recently at an event and they kept come backing back for more, and more. Exotic aromas of perfumed spice and musk billow from the glass of this lovely sparkler. There are flavours of sweet ripe and honeyed fruit that are balanced nicely on the finish with a lovely squeeze of zest and tang. Sip on its own or pair with a simple fruit flan or most fruit desserts. (VH)


Bottega ‘Vino Dei Poeti’ Prosecco Non-vintage
Italy $15.50 (897702)
This is one of the most popular sparkling wines in Ontario—all those people can’t be wrong and there’s a good chance your local LCBO stocks it. Dry and delicious, there are aromas of white flowers and lemon while the flavours are a mélange of white grapefruit, ripe lemon and pineapple. It’s fizzy and food friendly, especially with appetizers or seafood, while the texture is silky and the finish clean and refreshing. (VH)

Helpful tips

• Use caution when uncorking, keep your hand over the cork while and after removing the wire cage to avoid serious eye injury, to yourself or others. Ease the cork from the bottle with a ‘his-s-s-s’ not a pop.
• You can use an ordinary wine glass, but if the opening is large you’ll lose the fizz quickly. Tulip-shaped glasses called ‘flutes’ are ideal. 
• Serve these, and all sparkling wine, straight from the fridge or ice bucket, cold is good.
• Serve the wine chilled, but never in glasses that have been placed in the freezer. Save that for root beer or other kinds of beer at the pub. 
• The ideal way to pour wine with bubbles is to pour only a small amount in the glass, say an ounce, let the froth subside then pour in the balance as this avoids it frothing up and spilling over the top of the glass. 
• To keep a part bottle for a day or two simply put an ordinary ‘still wine’ cork in the top of the bottle—you’ll have no luck with a sparkling wine or Champagne cork—and place in the fridge.