Affordable Bubbly For Your New Year's Celebration

Still looking for that perfect bubbly for New Year's? There's still time to find it.

Toast at midnight (or earlier) with one of these excellent and affordable sparkling wines. These vintages are available at liquor stores throughout the area. Retail prices vary by store:

Mumm Napa Brut Rose (retail: about $20)

This pretty, blush-pink sparkler has notes of berry and just a hint of sweetness. Like most sparkling wines, it's extremely food-friendly.

Other popular Mumm Napa releases: Brut Prestige and Cuvee M, the latter going particularly well with spicy foods.

Gruet (retail: $12-16)

 Ask your average wine drinker to name some of the United States' wine regions, and chances are they'll say Napa Valley, Oregon or even the Finger Lakes area of New York. They probably won't guess Albuquerque.

Gruet, a surprising entry from New Mexico, tastes like a much more expensive sparkling wine. The Blanc de Noirs is crisp and refreshing, and the Brut, Gruet's flagship, is described by the winery as "dominated by green apple and grapefruit flavors."

Segura Viudas (retail: $10-24, depending on variety)

Segura Viudas, a versatile Spanish cava, is another bang for the buck. In fact, it was named a 2010 "Value Brand of the Year" by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

The Brut Reserva is the variety most available in stores, but M&R Liquors carries the Reserva Heredad ($23.99, 750 ml) and the ARIA ($14.99.)

Frexienet ($10-13)

Another Spanish cava, Frexienet's recognizable Cordon Negro Brut is known informally as the "Black Label Bubbly." The winery describes it as "medium-bodied with apple, pear and bright citrus flavors and a moderately long and crisp, clean finish." If you're planning a New Year's menu, Frexienet's Web site suggests food pairings such as shrimp salad, tomato bruschetta and cheese.

By the way, the pronunciation is way easier than the spelling. "Fresh-eh-net."

Mionetto Prosecco Brut ($10-15)

This popular Italian prosecco is dry with hints of fruity sweetness, perfect for champagne cocktails. Mionetto's website suggests prosciutto or mild cheese as food pairings. If you want something sweeter with dessert, or something to serve with a New Year's Day brunch, try the Moscato Dolce.

  in Farmington (which also has branches in Avon and Southington) was sold out of the Mionetto on Thursday, but recommends  Borgo Sanleo prosecco ($12.99) in its place.