With New Years right around the corner, many of us will be making a mad dash to the store to pick up some bubbly for the ball drop or the next day for brunch. There are many different styles and price points to keep in mind when deciding what to consume and serve, and to make matters even more fun, each country calls their sparkling wine something different. Spain calls it Cava, California is Sparkling Wine, France is of course Champagne, and Italy is mostly Spumante, no name a few. Each makes a sparkling wine that has unique characteristics and styles, all of which makes for a great way to toast in the new year. Here are a few of the better sparkling wines I have tasted this past year.

Barefoot Brut, California $8
Layers of great yellow fruit and crisp green apple notes, with a subtle hint of dryness in each sip. This winery has been making some great wines for exceptional values for some time now and this drier style Brut keeps with the tradition of quality for an inexpensive price.

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava, Spain $10
This one is always easy to spot it its classic black bottle, nice and dry with pear and golden delicious apple notes, and a nice creaminess on the finish. The acidity seems a little lower than in most Bruts making for a much easier drinking experience. Another winner for the price year after year.

J Brut Rose, California $38
Now this is one of my personal favorites, J makes some exceptional still wines but their sparkling wines are truly world class. A Rose derives its color from longer juice contact with the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grape skins, imparting a soft salmon like hue to the wine. This wine was exceptional with layers of cherries and violets on the nose and developing on the taste buds. These mature into a creamy strawberry and ripe pear note with a perfect amount of bread crust yeastiness and dryness. This has the makings of a world class Rose for an everyday price.

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige, California $24
This is Mumm's signature sparkling wine, showcasing over 50 parcels of vineyards chosen each year to create a house style. Elegant and sleek are the best ways to describe the flavors, notes of vanilla beans, yeastiness, and cantaloupe fill the mouth and dissipate into a very crisp and refreshing tasting experience. The crispness cleans the palette making each sip as exciting as the first. A very well made sparkling wine for the price.

Taittinger Brut La Fracaise, France $45
This is a true and classic French Champagne, layers of pears and white peaches fill the nose and than lead into the taste. These than flow together with a crispness and balance between the white stone fruit and softer apple and vanilla notes. The finish is very lively with a subtle bread crust quality and bright citrus zest and cream. A true masterpiece of flavor in each sip.