No holiday is more associated with popping a bottle of bubbly than New Year’s Eve. In fact, toasting the New Year has been customary for more than 1,500 years. After the Revolutionary War, Americans began making toasts (sometimes as many as 13!) at all major celebrations as an act of patriotism. This tradition has been an integral part of ringing in a new year since the early 1800s. As we reflect on 2025 and anticipate 2026 with hope, allow me to shed light on the history of the bubbly beverage and provide some recommendations for your Dec. 31 festivities.
Champagne, the most famous sparkling wine in the world, has become something of an eponym. The name of this bubbly beverage comes from the name of the place it hails from. In order to carry the name “Champagne,” the wine must be produced in the Champagne region of France, and it must utilize only the Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes.
Initially, Champagne is produced much the same way that still wine is. After being bottled for a while, however, the cork is removed so that additional yeast, flavorings and (sometimes) sugar can be added. The bottle is then recorked and a second fermentation begins with the newly created carbon dioxide contained in the bottle. This process, known as the Méthode Champenoise or the Méthode Traditionnelle, originated in the Champagne region and is what produces the bubbles that distinguish sparkling wines from still wines.
Dom Pierre Pérignon, a 17th century Benedictine monk from France, is credited with inventing sparkling wines. Legend has it that upon first tasting the bubbly wine, he exclaimed: “Come quickly! I am tasting the stars!” Although the accuracy of the quote, and even some details of the origin story are questioned historically, the invention and standardization of the Méthode Champenoise process is attributed to Dom Pierre, along with one other very important contribution to the wine world. It was he who discovered that white wine can be made from red grapes by removing the skins, stems, and seeds from the juice during wine production. Pretty amazing guy! For his efforts, one of the world’s most famous and valuable Champagne wines bears his name. Dom Pérignon, though delicious, may be a bit of a stretch for the budget, but if you can swing it, New Years is the perfect celebration to pop that cork!
For those of us looking for a more reasonably priced option, there are plenty of wonderful Champagnes to choose from at a wide range of prices. In the Champagne region, Premiere Cru is a certification of superior quality and has been awarded to less than 15% of the appellations in the region. For an outstanding and reasonably priced Premiere Cru Champagne, try the Gonet-Médeville Champagne Premiere (1er) Cru Brut. Also worthy of consideration are Veuve Clicquot and Billecart-Salmon Le Reserve. You can absolutely enjoy French Champagne without breaking your budget.
Prosecco, the Italian sparkling wine, is another lower-priced option for your New Year’s Eve celebration. Similarly to the rules of Champagne, Prosecco must be produced in the Prosecco appellation of the Veneto Wine Region of Northeastern Italy and must be made from the Glera grape. It is a myth that Proseccos are always sweeter than Champagne; although sweeter options are available, most are quite dry. Dryness is indicated by the word Brut – the driest is Extra Brut, followed by Brut; Demi-Sec is the sweetest. If you are looking for maximum dryness in your Prosecco, the Belle Casel Asolo Extra Brut Prosecco is a great choice. The aromas are fresh with notes of golden apple and a touch of grapefruit. Or, for a wonderful, reasonably priced Brut Prosecco, try the Bisol Valdobbiandene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut. This lovely effervescent wine has an intense stone-fruit taste, with a fine and long-lasting finish. The aroma is a bouquet of fruits and flowers. Lastly, for a Prosecco that comes in a bottle as sparkly and festive as the wine itself, try the Brilla! Prosecco and Prosecco Rosé. This is a must-have for your NYE celebrations.
Cava, Spain’s contribution to sparkling wine, is produced in the Penedès appellation of the Catalonia region near Barcelona and is made from the grapes that are native to the region: Macabeu, Xarel-lo, and Parellada. Cava has the flavor of ripe tree fruits, light notes of Meyer lemons, and a touch of almond and ginger on the finish. The Caves Naveran-Cava Brut is a classic Cava option that is produced from organically grown grapes and is vegan-friendly. Dibon Cava and Freixenet Cava are also excellent options. My personal favorite Cava is Roger Goulart Josef Valls Gran Reserva Extra Brut. This is, in my opinion, the perfection of Cava winemaking. If you haven’t tried a Cava yet, take this as your invitation.
If you would like to start the year with a different kind of sparkling wine, I would encourage you to pick up a bottle of sparkling dry lambrusco. Yes, I said a dry lambrusco! This is not the sweet lambrusco you may have had before. The Lini 910 Labrusca Lambrusco Rosso Emilia Romagna is a dry red sparkling wine. Lini’s wines are renowned for their signature freshness and classic dry character. Thanks to Fabio Lini’s artisanal approach to sparkling wine production, their bright red fruit and berry flavors are balanced by juicy minerality. Or try the Lini 910 ‘Labrusca Riserva’ Lambrusco dell’ Emilia. This full-bodied dry Lambrusco delivers notes of wild berries and ripe red fruit balanced by gentle but persistent effervescence.
No matter how you choose to greet the New Year, I hope you have a very happy and healthy New Year and a safe celebration. As always, if you have any questions or comments, contact me at dsetley@passionvines.com or stop by the Somers Point store. Until 2026, Happy Wining!
David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.
