Festive Bubblies for $20 and Under

Surprisingly juicy and full-bodied. This pick’s lip-smacking flavors of spiced Granny Smith apple, lemon, and dried apricot will restore hope in anyone disappointed by one too many encounters with a wimpy sparkling wine.

To buy: $16, amazon.com.

Crisp and easy-drinking, this has fresh peachy flavors and a sassy effervescence that make it appropriate for everything from an intimate night à deux to a wild New Year’s Bash.

To buy: $12, wine.com.

With its persistent fizz and tropical notes, this winner from Greg Norman (yes, the golfer) is a party in a bottle. Notes of lush mango and zingy grapefruit give it a wild streak; a creamy smoothness and biscuity finish keep things classy.

To buy: $20, wine.com.

Stop and savor this Spanish gem: The longer you drink it, the more its wonderful, complex flavors of slate, yellow pears, and buttery pie crust are revealed.

To buy: $15, misterwrightfinewines.com.

A well-balanced, gulpable bottle of bubbly that works beautifully with an array of holiday party favorites—think cured meats, cheeses, olives, and smoked fish.

To buy: $12, wine.com.

Brimming with honey and melon (along with tasty hints of fig and vanilla), this silky pick has graceful bubbles and a subtle elegance. It’s as great with oysters as it is with egg rolls.

To buy: $19, wine.com.

This gorgeous French import goes with almost anything: Ripe notes of strawberries and freshly baked peaches make it a natural foil for zesty shrimp cocktail and spicy chicken satay. Bright acid notes cut through the richness of potato chips, pigs in blankets, and vanilla cake.

To buy: $11, winechateau.com.
 

This Italian sparkler is a crowd-pleaser. Fresh and lively with just a hint of sweetness, it has a fruity taste and a tangy, slightly mineral finish. It goes as well with prosciutto and oil-cured olives as it does with takeout Thai.

To buy: $14, wine.com.

The Spanish vintage has an Old World soul: You can taste the stony soil in its tiny bubbles, but they’re wrapped in green apple, bright lemon, and white peach flavors. Made in the expensive Champagne tradition (the second fermentation that produces the bubbles happens right in the bottle, not a big tank), Cava is the real deal. Serve it with these festive Spanish appetizers.

To buy: $11, wine.com.

This delicious pale pink wine from New Mexico(!), dances with the flavors of wild strawberries, bright cherries, and creamy citrus. Grapefruit and intriguing herbs give it a tiny edge, making it a lively match for hors d’oeuvres like chicken skewers and baked Camembert.
 
 To buy: $14, astorwines.com.

From Sonoma, California and packed with notes of tart red raspberry and cranberries, this blanc de noirs does well by everything from glazed ham to roast beef.

To buy: $20, binnys.com.

A great breakfast bubbly should be inexpensive enough to mix with a splash of OJ but tasty enough to sip on its own. This one fills the bill with notes of apples, zippy lemon, and lush melon. A happy match for scrambled eggs in any form.
 
 To buy: $15, grandwinecellar.com.

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A lovely and herbaceous French sparkler, this dazzles with the delicate flavors of Golden Delicious apple, Bosc pear and ginger. Pinpoint bubbles and a toasty finish prove that happiness can be had at a modest price.

To buy: Unfortunately, this item is no longer available. A similar product can be found here.