Champagne

Under $60, Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut, Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label are sure bets, and Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut is a great-value alternative. For a bigger occasion, try Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé, Bollinger Special Cuvée or Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée ($50–$100). See every bottle from Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot.

Non-vintage Champagne is blended from several harvests and aged at least 15 months, so each house's style stays the same year after year. Vintage Champagne comes from one harvest, is made only in good years, and ages at least three years, which gives it more depth and toasty, nutty notes.

Blanc de Blancs (white from whites) is made only from Chardonnay, so it's crisp, lemony and elegant. Blanc de Noirs (white from blacks) is made from the red grapes Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, pressed gently so the wine stays pale, and tastes fuller and fruitier.

About two to three days in the fridge with a Champagne stopper. Without one, the bubbles fade by the next day. Unopened non-vintage Champagne is best within about three years; store it lying down somewhere cool and dark.