Wines: Budget bubbly

Real champagne has one minor problem—“and that problem sounds like ‘ka-CHING!’” said Dave McIntyre in The Washington Post. Fortunately, there are plenty of sparkling wines available that provide “high-quality celebratory bubbles at a fraction of the price.”

2007 Argyle Brut Willamette Valley, Ore. ($25). This domestic sparkler makes “no pretense of imitating champagne.” It has flavors of red currant and raspberries, plus “laser-like focus.”

Simonnet-Febvre Crémant de Bourgogne Burgundy, France ($19). Expect good values from the various neighbors to France’s Champagne region. This delicious crémant from a top Chablis producer offers “nice orchard-fruit flavors.”

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Orange River Cellars Star Tree Brut Northern Cape, South Africa ($10). It’s rare that I truly enjoy a $10 bubbly, but this light-bodied brut had me from the moment I caught “a whiff of exotic spice.”