Wine Divaa is all about those budget bubbles, high-quality alternatives, and I’m ready to share my secret weapons for a sparkling 2025.
Ay, Dios mío (Oh, my God), is it just me, or does Champagne get more expensive every single year? My most-read blog post, “Champagne Under $50,” has a helpful guide. However, the tariffs and high inflation, which is raising the cost of everything from grapes to glass bottles, have made finding great quality wine at a decent price a true challenge this year.
But don’t you worry about it winelovers: This year WineDivaa Sparkling Wine List is all about those budget bubbles, high-quality alternatives, and I’m ready to share my secret weapons for a sparkling 2025.
Forget the price tag; this year is about producer quality and new explorations. We’re going all out for bubbles from Latin America, the US, and France’s other fabulous appellations, while still saving a few special spots for Champagne that truly delivers. Remember my trick? If you’re going for Champagne, get a Non-Vintage (NV) with great quality and focus on the house’s reputation. Let’s get to the good stuff, mi gente (my people)!
While European imports are feeling the squeeze, our neighbors and innovative low-alcohol producers are stepping up with exceptional quality that won’t require you to take out a second mortgage.
From the hardworking people and exceptional terroir of Uruguay, this Extra Brut showcases a vibrant effervescence and crisp acidity with notes of green apple, pear, and subtle hints of brioche from its traditional méthode champenoise fermentation. This is a top-tier stunner that easily rivals bottles twice its price.
Holiday Cheer: It’s a perfect all-rounder for any Holiday Feasts, from Christmas appetizer grazing (think shrimp cocktail or smoked salmon bites) to a New Year’s Eve toast. Its brightness and complexity make it a phenomenal welcoming drink for guests. The fact that I’ve personally have seen the passion behind the run solidifies its spot as a top-tier pick.
Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) Pairing: The rich acidity and clean finish make this a killer counterpoint to the richness of tamales. Specifically, if you have pork tamales in red chile sauce, the bubble’s acidity will cut through the fatty masa (corn dough) while the brioche notes complement the corn’s inherent
Talk about unique! While sparkling Cabernet Franc isn’t your everyday bubble, this American sparkler is a treat. Made in the ancestral method in Long Island is crafted with the staple grape of the state of New York: Cabernet Franc. Expect a vibrant, juicy character with notes of red berries, a bit of salinity and a beautifully refreshing finish. I try this wine every year, and it just keeps getting better. It holds a special place in my heart, as it’s the one I had at my wedding!
Pairing: Pair this with something unexpected, like barbecue-spiced pulled pork sliders for a laid back New Year’s Eve or even a hearty, herb-crusted turkey breast. The subtle red fruit and freshness cut through richness beautifully.
This Blanc de Blancs NV, Sonoma County (SRP $23) is a love letter to French tradition. Expect fine, creamy bubbles, bright green apple, beautiful citrus aromatics, and a crisp, mouth-watering finish.
Pairing: This is your go-to for oysters, seafood towers, or a creamy goat cheese tart. The crisp acidity and citrus notes enhance the brininess of the seafood, making it an elegant and classic pairing.
This 0.0% ABV sparkler delivers the bright, refreshing character of Prosecco DOC in a Zero-Proof expression. You get lovely citrus and floral notes with lively bubbles. Did I mention that it’s only around 13 bucks or so depending on your local retailer??
Holiday Cheer: This is the ultimate inclusive holiday sipper. It’s perfect for designated drivers, early brunches, or simply keeping things light while still joining in the festive toast. Pair it with a cranberry and rosemary mocktail mixer or just enjoy it solo with light finger foods like herbed crackers and hummus.
From the Veneto region, this Prosecco Brut, made with the italian glera grape, offers lively, persistent bubbles and a pale straw color. The nose is a bouquet of green apple, pear, and white peach, with a palate that balances bright acidity with a hint of sweetness.
Holiday Cheer: Spellbound Prosecco is an everyday luxury. Its freshness and light sweetness make it phenomenal for any party, especially when paired with prosciutto-wrapped melon or light pasta dishes. It’s crowd-pleasing and affordable for sure a double win!
Is the juice inside as fabulous as the silver sheath it wears? And more importantly for mi gente (my people), for those of us who need quality Champagne tastes on a beer budget, are there other beauties out there just waiting for their close-up? The answer, as always in the world of wine, is a resounding and joyous yes. Vera Wang Party Prosecco Rosé has subtle floral aromas and undertones of bright red berries.
Holiday Cheer: This is your showstopper host gift. Pair it with a charcuterie board (especially spicy salumi and baked brie) or even, dare I say, a decadent chocolate dessert.
No Wine Divaa list is complete without Cava! ( PSA I am a certified Cava Educator) Segura Viudas is a benchmark for quality and value. Crafted in the traditional method, this Brut Reserva delivers a beautiful mousse, notes of citrus, and a nutty, savory complexity. It’s rich, yeasty, and dry.
If Champagne is the King, Cremants are the Queen. We cannot overlook the rest of France. Crémants are made with the same traditional method as Champagne but offer fantastic quality at a fraction of the cost.
Crafted from biodynamic Viognier, Esteban is a bone-dry, mouth-watering Brut Nature: no dosage, no pretense, absolutely no added sugars. It features crisp bubbles, orchard fruit, and a soulful, mineral backbone that is so apropos (appropriate) for a respectful toast.
Holiday Cheer: This is for the wine snob friend who loves purity and terroir. Pair it with Vietnamese spring rolls or an appetizer of chilled seafood and a squeeze of lemon. Its lean structure keeps the palate clean and refreshed.
From Burgundy, Trenel’s Crémant delivers classic French finesse with notes of citrus, white flowers, and a creamy mousse. It’s an Extra Brut, meaning it’s wonderfully dry.
Holiday Cheer: Festive and food-friendly, it’s perfect for everything from Friendsgiving to New Year’s Eve. Pair it with white meats like roasted chicken or even a simple cheddar and walnut appetizer.
Expect fine, even bubbles with notes of red berries and citrus fruit, followed by a delectable palate, bursting with vivacity and freshness.
Holiday Cheer: This is an ideal festive aperitif. Its red fruit notes make it a great match for a dessert like a red berry tart or a simple poached pear.
As importer JP Bourgeois says: on Christmas Eve, families gather for “le réveillon” (the long dinner). “It’s the one night of the year when you open the special bottles,” says Bourgeois.
To understand the “special,” you must know the difference:
For dessert, Rosé Champagne is a French favorite. This elegant, saignée-method rosé is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Pinot Meunier.
Holiday Cheer: This is The Dessert Pairing. It pairs beautifully with lighter desserts such as a bûche de Noël (Yule log cake). The richness is also a spectacular match for Original Dubai Chocolate; the pistachio adds a contrasting, slightly salty, nutty crunch that is perfectly balanced by the rosé’s structure and dark fruit.
Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) Pairing: Try it with tamales dulces or savory that have a chicken or turkey filling. The red fruit notes mimic a light sauce and the freshness of the bubbles is irresistible.
If you like easy bubbles and great quality Champagne Mandois must be your bubbly! It delivers precision and purity in the glass with lively citrus and floral notes. The palate shows vibrant tension and a saline finish with hints of umami.
Holiday Cheer: This is The Appetizer Queen. It’s ideal for greeting guests or pairing with elegant seafood appetizers. The purity and acidity are phenomenal palate cleansers.
High Quality bubbles to impress the demanding diners at your table. It delivers finesse in the glass with lively citrus, a creamy mousse, and notes of hazelnut and brioche. For only $59 bucks this will be a great adition to your Holiday Feast! Get yours here!
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Brad Pitt’s Fleur de Miraval! It’s legitimately good Champagne.
This Rosé Champagne offers a magnificent bouquet of spring flowers and luscious red fruit. The mouth is exquisitely juicy and full, illuminated with fresh citrus notes. As Brad Pitt explains: “rosé champagne is still relatively unknown… I wanted us to try to create the defining brand of rosé champagne.”
Holiday Cheer: This is your New Year’s Eve showstopper. Pair it with Foie Gras or a beautiful, creamy Risotto with Black Truffle.
Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) Pairing: The opulent fruit and backbone of this Rosé can stand up to the earthy bitterness and smoky depth of romeritos. The bright acidity and fine bubbles cleanse the palate after the rich mole, making the next bite feel fresh.
Remember mi gente (my people), the key to making any of these international Sparkling Wine selections work with your regional or Holiday cuisine is to focus on the acidity of the sparkling wine. Acidity is the magic wand of wine pairing: it cuts through richness (like the masa of a tamale), balances sweetness (like a light dessert), and refreshes the palate (after a bite of complex mole or romeritos).
The bubbles themselves act as tiny scrubs, constantly cleansing your mouth, making everything you eat taste better. When in doubt, pair with a sparkling wine because, de verdad (truly), it is almost always going to pair. Invest in quality budget bubbles this year. These are the most versatile bottles you can open!
Which sparkling treasure are you going to use to elevate your traditional holiday feast? I read you in the comments.
Martha Cisneros Paja is a wine educator, founder of Latinas Wine Club Inc. and author of Mexican Wines: A guide to Fall in Love with Wines of Mexico . Read more about one of the most hard-working Latinas in Wine here.
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