Drinks

Champagne and other sparkling wines are synonymous with celebration.

Of course, that means many people sort through the catalogue of regions and vaguely understood words--”brut,” “sec,” “blanc de blancs,” “cuvee”--only during the holidays, turning the selection process into a kind of coin toss.

High end labels from France, such as Dom Perignon, carry with them a certain mystique, as well as a hefty price tag. It’s possible, however, to find sparklers from other regions, such as Spain, New Mexico and Italy that add life to a celebration without forcing you to put off the car payment until February.

Whereas vintage French Champagne undergoes a painstaking fermentation process in the bottle, prosecco from Italy generally achieves secondary fermentation in stainless steel tanks--a process known as Charmat.

Yeah, they lack the sophistication and terroir. But they also lack the extra digit after the dollar sign.

Bortolomiol’s Prior Brut Prosecco is a noticeably dry wine. The aromas embrace, but leave no lasting impression beyond a whiff of parched meadow and light fruit. On the palate, the floral notes freshen, teased by hints of peach and a trace of minerals.

It is a very even handed, pleasant and crisp--and not bad for less than $25.