If ever there is a time to bust out the bubbles, it’s New Year’s. I’ve got five bottles to recommend for every budget and every palate: a non-alcoholic sparkler, a classic Prosecco Superiore, a super-fun Illinois sparkling rosé, Willamette Valley bubbles from a legendary producer, and of course, a fabulous Champagne.

I popped these bottles on WGN-TV’s “Daytime Chicago” in case you want to check that out.

Nouvie De-Alcoholized Sparkling White Wine

I am excited about this one because the creators are my own neighbors, here in Chicago. Fiona McEntee and Faith Anderson created this wine after they both started seeking out no- and low-alcohol wine options. Their bar was high and they just weren’t finding anything that satisfied them. So, they created Nouvie, which debuted this year.

This a Spanish Verdejo wine that starts out as a full-strength still wine. The wine then goes through a process that pulls the alcohol out. The wine is force-carbonated (with CO2) and bottled. What you have is a lovely dry sparkling wine with aromas of juicy, crisp red apples layered with a hint of candied ginger and tropical fruits. On the palate, it’s crisp and refreshing with a racy streak of acidity. The fizz is fun and not overly frothy. I really like it. Bonus: just 35 calories and 3 grams of sugar per serving.

This is my choice when I want a nice glass of bubbles without the alcohol. Find it at Bottles Up! in Chicago for about $26. For more info, click here.

Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco DOCG

Prosecco is always a crowd-pleaser, and this is one of the best out there. Like all Prosecco Superiore DOCG, it is made from the Glera grape. You’ll get notes of pear, citrus zest and honeysuckle. It’s perfect with sharp cheeses, like Parmesan or Grana Padang, or aged cheddar, and pasta dishes with cream sauces, lemon butter, or seafood. It’s a crowd-pleaser!

Nino Franco is one of the oldest Prosecco families in Valdobbiadene, going back to 1919. The vineyards in the Northern Italy region of Veneto are situated on steep, sunny slopes. This leads to excellent flavor development and perfectly ripe fruit with excellent acidity. Nino Franco was one of the first to export Prosecco to the U.S. in the early 1980s, so if it’s been around this long, you know it’s good! Find it at Binny’s for about $22. For more info, click here.

ISC Brut Ombré Rosé

ISC stands for – ready for it? – Illinois Sparkling Company. You may be thinking, “Wait, what? Sparkling wine from Illinois?” Yes! And it is excellent!

ISC is based in Utica, Illinois, about two hours south of Chicago. Founder Mark Wenzel first started August Hill Winery in the early 2000s. He was making still wines from a a range of hybrid grapes that were developed at the University of Minnesota’s agriculture department. These grapes – like Chambourcin – were bred to withstand our climate here in Illinois. Skilled winemakers like Mark know how to craft really beautiful wines from them.

In 2011, Mark realized that a 4-acre plot on his property had the type of soil that would lead to great sparkling wines – high in acid and low in tannins. And ISC was born.

ISC makes a range of sparkling wines, including this beautiful rosé sparkler. It is made in the methode traditionelle (the same method used in Champagne), from 100% Chambourcin. The wine is dry and offers up generous strawberry and cherry aromas layered with crisp acidity. It’s a delight to drink! Plus, how fun is it to share an Illinois sparkler with friends? For more info, click here. Find it at Binny’s for about $25 a bottle.

Sokol Blosser Bluebird Cuvée Brut Sparkling

2022

Sokol Blosser is a pioneer of the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Susan Sokol and Bill Blosser planted their first Pinot Noir grapes in 1971. Now, more than 50 years later, the winery is still family-run, and turning out beautiful Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Pinot Gris…. and sparkling wines.

Winemaker Robin Howell came to Sokol Blosser more than 10 years ago, specifically because of the winery’s focus on sparkling, and she really knows her stuff. It is made in the methode traditionelle, so has that delicious toasty aroma from spent yeast cells.

This bottle is a blend of five grapes (Pinot Noir, Müller Thurgau, Chardonnay, Riesling and Muscat.) Together, they bring notes of candied lemon peel, orange flower and crisp Granny Smith apples and pears all wrapped up in lively bubbles. For more info, click here. Find it for about $35 at Galleria Liquors and Sav-Way .

Champagne Billecart Salmon Le Rosé

Billecart Salmon is one of the oldest Champagne houses, established in 1818, when Nicholas Billecart married Elisabeth Salmon. Today, more than 200 years later, Billecart Salmon Champagnes are all about freshness and finesse. The winery uses a longer fermentation time and a lower temperature to retain the freshest, truest character of the fruit.

Le Rosé is a blend of the three classic grapes of Champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It spends 36 months on the lees (the spent yeast cells), which gives it a wonderful toasty aroma. This wine is Extra Brut – so a little less dosage than Brut and a little drier on the palate than a Brut level wine.

It’s both crisp and creamy at the same time, with wild strawberries, a pop of citrus and a hint of dried rose petals. I love it! Click here for more info. Find it for about $99 at Binny’s.

Whatever you decide to open, I raise a glass to you for a peaceful and happy new year. And thank you for reading!