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I’ve never really liked Valentine’s Day. My indifference towards all things mushy and sweet probably has a lot to do with the fact that for many years in a row I was always single in February and didn’t really have a reason to celebrate love and romance. However, throughout the years, I’ve learned one thing: Valentine’s Day is not the same without some bubbles in your glass.

If you can’t decide what to buy to celebrate with your boyfriend or girlfriend, read on. Flowers? They die too fast. Chocolate? Better, but there’s only so many Harshey kisses you can enjoy without making yourself sick. Champagne? Now THAT is something both you and your sweetie (or just you if you are single and still feel like celebrating) can really enjoy together.

The choices are countless and sometimes walking down the sparkling wines isle can be a little overwhelming and intimidating. Champagne, brut, spumante… so many kinds and so many different prices!

First of all you need to know that you can buy a decent sparkling without breaking the bank. Second, you need to go to the right store: forget the grocery store (especially Albertson’s, where wine is usually 10% pricier than everywhere else) and head down to a specialty store such as Total Wine, now open both in Naples and Fort Myers.

Here’s a selection of some great bubbles that will help you celebrate this and many other occasions without making you go broke.

ITALIAN BUBBLES:



At the bottom of the spectacular Dolomites, the Trentino region is home to what is considered to be the best Italian spumante: Ferrari. Almost as good as Ferrari and more affordable is a bottle of Rotari which at $9.99 a piece is almost a steal. Enjoy it before dinner with some appetizers or serve it with a special dessert: with a wine like this you just can’t go wrong.

Also very good are the sparkling wines made in Lombardy, near the city of Brescia. The Franciacorta Castel Faglia ($19.99) is a perfect example of the region’s vintage. Made using the traditional method –the same they use in France to make champagne- this sparkling white will be a nice companion for a delicate fish entrée or a light pasta dish.



The Veneto region produces another famous Italian sparkling wine: the prosecco. Made famous by Mr. Cipriani’s cocktail, the Bellini, prosecco is a dry and delightful bubbly white wine. When you buy a bottle of this sparkling make sure that it is made in Valdobbiadene and not in Conegliano: it might seem like a marginal difference, but it’s not. The real prosecco is made in Valdobbiadene. Period. Try a bottle of Nino Franco Prosecco di Valdobbiadene for $16.99, you won’t regret spending the extra money.

FRENCH BUBBLES:

When it comes to champagne, prices immediately skyrocket, not only because of its famous name, but also because of the lengthy production process and aging each bottle has to go through. Still, there are French bubbles that are good on the palate and easy on the wallet: the Champagne Paul Goerg ($26.99) and the Blanc de Blanc St. Germain Brut ($9.99) have very high ratings and won’t leave you broke, especially the latter.

AMERICAN BUBBLES:



Made in Napa Valley, California, the Domaine St. Michelle is an all-American sparkling and at $10.99 is more than affordable. Slightly sweet in taste, this wine is perfect for an after-dinner toast or as a dessert wine. Slightly pricier is the Mumm Napa Brut Prestige going for $16.99.

MORE BUBBLES:

Spain might not be famous for producing sparkling wine, but since this entry is about Valentine’s day I thought it would be good to include a bottle my dad used to buy to serve over dinner with my mom on their first dates, more than 30 years ago. It worked for them, it might work for you too! Try a bottle of Marques de Monistrol ($14.99) and see if it works its magic!