Happy New Year! This is the season to enjoy sparkling wines and Champagne. Anything less is just not festive. Here are three of the best in their price brackets. You need not stay with the same wine all night long and it's a special treat to welcome in the New Year with something special. The following recommendations also work well with a wide range of cocktail foods such as small roast beef open-faced sandwiches, rosettes of smoked salmon, and by far the tastiest and most crowd-pleasing - sushi rolls. The food's delicate flavours complement the fine, gentle nature of sparkling wines and Champagne.
Yellow by Yellowglen 2003, southeastern Australia
Yellowglen is one of the best drinks for the price. It doesn't pretend to be too sophisticated and esoteric. This Yellow by Yellowglen is funky, young and hip. The flavours are full, appealing and easy to enjoy. It has ample lush, ripe, almost tropical notes, from the chardonnay grapes, and the bubbles are lively. Add a spoonful of white peach puree for a Bellini. For a more exotic taste try pureed lychee and a drop of fresh ginger juice.
Available for $158 from Watson's (tel: 2147 3641)
Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs Brut Methode Champenoise 2001, Calistoga, California
Schramsberg was founded in 1862 by Jacob Schram. It is one of the earliest wineries in California. In 1965 the Davies family acquired the business and set about producing the highest quality sparkling wine in the US. In 1972 Schramsberg was chosen by US president Richard Nixon as the suitable tipple for a 'toast to peace' with Chinese premier Zhou Enlai. You don't need a presidential salary to be able to enjoy this wonderfully affordable wine. Made of 100 per cent chardonnay grapes, it is silky, elegant and leaves a lasting impression on the palate. It is well-balanced and, unlike other sugary mid-priced sparkling wines, the Schramsberg is also satisfyingly rich and fruity.