Tanya's 5 Favorite Champagnes and Sparkling Wines Under $20

Point #1: I don't have a favorite Champagne for less that $20! Everything with bubbles is NOT champagne. In order for a wine to be classified as champagne, it must come from the Appellation of Champagne France. My favorite champagne is Comtes De Champagne by Taittinger and it cost ..... well let's just say, well over $20.

Also of note: Presecco wines come from Italy and Cavas come from Spain. Sparkling wines come from all over the globe.

It is important that you find a sparkling wine that makes you happy regardless of someone else's opinion and ratings. The wine should have an aroma that pleases your nose, not Robert Parkers. Only you can decide if you like your sparkling wine dry or sweet. It's up to your palate as to what fruity styles you prefer, or do you like an oaky, buttery finish. So, don't let my suggestions dictate what will ultimately be your favorite sparkling under $20, but I guarantee that you will like one in this bunch! Sparkling wines are fun, elegant and delicious but they don't have to be expensive.

Cheers!

Tanya's Top 5 wines with bubbles:





1. Gruet $14.99 - $17.99 The Brut offers a crisp, and full-bodied sparkling wine, which has developed rich complexity and fine mousse. The allure of toasty finish from twenty-four months on tirage, is a complement to the sophisticated apple and citrus flavor.Winemaker's Note: Brilliant with ultra fine bubbles. A wonderful fine bouquet dominated by green apple and grapefruit flavors. A truly classic house style!

2. Mumm Napa Prestige $17.99 - $19.99 Brut Prestige is Mumm Napa's signature sparkling wine. It is a relaxed, yet elegant, wine that earns sparkling accolades from consumers and critics alike.Brut Prestige features fine bright citrus, red apple, stone fruit and creamy vanilla aromas, with hints of toast, honey and gingerbread spice. Its vibrant flavors are balanced by fine acidity and a rich, lingering finish.

3. Piper-Sonoma $13.99 - $17.99 Piper Sonoma Brut, made of 60% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier, has a pale gold color, petite bubbles and delicate aromas of ripe apple, toast and peach. This sparkling wine is dry and fresh with a long elegant finish, possessing crisp citrus flavors with hints of strawberry and vanilla smoke.

4. Scharffenberger Brut $17.99 - $19.99 The wine is approximately two-thirds Chardonnay and one-third Pinot Noir. The full malolactic style adds a vanilla cream character producing a round and full-bodied wine. After approximately two years on the lees, there are notes of freshly baked bread and pastry that enhances the more fruit forward style of the wine. Finally, after several months on the cork, the wine develops caramel and hazel complexors.

5. Bodegas Alma Negra Brut Nature $15.99 - $19.99 The wine has Dark berryfruit, dried chrries and hints of chocolate on the nose lead to flavors of ripe berries, black cherry, cocoa and a tinge of smoke in this dense and well- balanced wine. The finish lingers with dark ripe fruit, balanced acidity and a smooth mouthfeel.


Bonus: Freixenet $7.99 - $11.99
When serving large groups, or when you want to enjoy a mimosa, my homerun Cava is Freixenet. Not only is the all black bottle sexy, the Cava has an exceptional, fresh, fruity style and a lingering aroma for its price point. Nothing under $10 comes close! You can get a bottle a Trader Joe's for $7.99,

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