Sparkling guide: The best budget-friendly bubbles

Wine experts agree sparkling is an easy pleaser. If Champagne is out of your price range, you can find similar crisp bubbles in a bottle of Italian prosecco or Spanish cava. "They are delicious and a great value," says Robin Christophersen of Twisted Vine, adding you can find quality bottles between $10 and $17. But, she adds, you can find some beautiful bottles of the real deal for a great value, too.

Sparkling

Le Colture Prosecco di valdobbiadene Brut DOC ($18) "This is a new prosecco to the Columbus market. It is from a region known for some of the highest quality proseccos," explains Tatjana Brown of Meza. "It is drier and more crisp than white. It's just really, really clean. It's going to pair with food well."Occasion: hostess gift or to kick off a holiday meal as a palate cleanser

Caprari Spumante Rose Brut ($17) "Drink roses this holiday season," Christophersen says, suggesting this sparkling rose made from 100 percent pinot noir grapes. "This is an amazing value for just a great wine; dry, beautiful and elegant," she says. "They're great for any kind of celebrating or every day. That's the great thing about them." Occasion: everyday celebration

Champagne

L'Aubry Fils Champagne Brut ($50)"This is a really cool, very small boutique producer," Brown says. "It's got a lot of complexity-fruit, citrus, minerality-but it's still a really crowd-pleasing style."Occasion: gift giving if you want something really special

Marc Hebrart Brut ($53) Champagne can be expensive, but it is possible to land a great estate bubbly around the $50 mark, Christophersen says. Her top choice at this price point comes from Marc Hebrart. "This is one of our favorites right now. It's a dryer brut," she says.Occasion: as a gift or for a New Year's celebration

Giving a bottle of wine as a present?

Think outside the typical bag and tissue paper and reach for one of these playful gift tags, available at Wine on High in the Short North.