How to Buy Champagne on a Budget

If you're planning to break out a bottle of champagne at a Christmas or New Year's Eve party and you want to find a good but budget-friendly bottle, check out this guide to champagne from SmartMoney.  The article gives you a brief background and a few tips on picking out a champagne:

• Forget About Vintages.  A nonvintage champagne is made up of a blend of two or three years' of house reserve vintages, and is a great value for newcomers to champagne.
• Think Small. You don't have to buy from bigger brands like Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Pommery - smaller houses such as Gosset and A. Charbaut also produce quality wine, but just don't spend as much on advertising.
• Try Sparkling Wines Instead:  Quality sparkling wines are often a cheaper alternative to champagne.
• Do Some Research. Wine.Com provides rankings of Champagne and sparkling wine so you can research online, before you buy.

Photo Credit: Gaston Thauvin

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