Happy New Year: Pop Some Cheap and Cheerful Bubbly

Its the last day of 2010! Au Revoir old year. In preparing for New Year’s Eve, bubbly is very much on my mind. And by bubbly, I mean Champagne. One of my dearest friends has called Champagne nothing more than “bad white wine.” I disagree. At only 90 calories a glass, Champagne helps me prepare for my coming New Year’s diet and usher out the old year in style. For tonight, I will be uncorking some wonderful Champagne to welcome in 2011. I have two affordable favorites to recommend from California to The Recessionista’s readers. My top picks are Tattinger Champagne from Domaine Carneros and Thorton Champagnes from the Thorton Winery in Temecula, California. I must confess, I am very partial to the Domaine Carneros Tattinger Champagne from Sonoma, CA. I’ve visited this winery and spent many a happy afternoon sitting on their patio overlooking the vineyards sampling their Pinot Noirs and their sparkling wine. If you can’t journey to the Champagne region of France, Domaine Carneros provides a cheap & cheerful alternative. The winery & tasting rooms are designed to look like a grand French chateau. Their vintage Brut Cuvee is listed on their website for under $30.00 US and has been rated 92 points by wine spectator. However, I have found it for less than $26.00 at Trader Joe’s grocery in California. If you’re in the US, check your local Trader Joe’s for it.

An early Happy NEW YEAR dear readers! I’m sending you all a virtual glass of bubbly and wishing you a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR’s! Welcome 2011!