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.

Brut from the well-known houses, like Moët & Chandon Impérial, Nicolas Feuillatte and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, is under $60. Rosé and richer styles from houses like Laurent-Perrier, Bollinger and Billecart-Salmon run $50–$100. Prestige cuvées such as Dom Pérignon are over $100. Champagne costs more than most sparkling wine because its bubbles form in the bottle and it ages there for at least 15 months.

Champagne comes from France's Champagne region and gets its bubbles from a second fermentation in the bottle, which gives it toasty, bready notes and fine bubbles. Prosecco is made in northeast Italy from the Glera grape, with its bubbles made in large tanks, so it's lighter and fruitier and usually costs less. Browse our Prosecco and other sparkling wines.

A 750ml bottle pours about six glasses. For a toast only, plan on one bottle for every six to eight guests; for a party where Champagne is the main drink, figure half a bottle per guest. Buying by the case saves money: 10% off 6 or more bottles of wine and 15% off 12 or more, sizes can be mixed and sale items are excluded.

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.