People ask me for wine advice all the time. All the time. Most of the time I give my opinions freely and willingly despite the fact that it often takes me several hours to organize my thoughts and suggestions in an organized, easily digestible format.

New Year’s Eve is one of those occasions when the requests for my opinion are perhaps at their highest since many people know of my affinity for all things sparkling. So, instead of responding to each request individually, I offer up my tips on picking the “right” bottle of bubbles for New Year’s Eve for all to consume at their leisure.

[I just now realize how pompous the above sounds, but I am going to roll with it nonetheless.]

First, I am making some assumptions here:

1. You are going to or hosting a NYE party that will involve more people than just you (I was going to add an acerbic comment about being alone on New Year’s, but that could be me this year, so…).
2. The crowd will be a mix: some you know, some you don’t, some you like, some you loathe (yes, that is a rather bleak assessment, but also a bit of realism, no?).
3. You want to bring something to the party, but you also don’t want to break the bank since that last group of people (those you loathe) will be there, too.

My advice? In no particular order:

1. Champagne. Yes, I know there are exciting sparkling wines made all over the world. And they are certainly cheaper wines made elsewhere. But if there is ever a night to open a bottle of champagne, this is it. It happens once a year. You can splurge a bit.
2. A note on Moët and Veuve Clicquot: despite the opinion of most wine snobs, these wines are fine, maybe even more than fine. They just happen to be owned by one of the largest corporations on earth, thus they are the subject of much derision (funny, not many sommeliers I know will turn down a glass of Krug, owned by the same conglomerate, but I digress). I am a fan of both. Seriously. But don’t bring it to a NYE party since it has become a cliché. And I will bet you that those people that you happen to loathe are going to bring one or the other.
3. Do NOT bring a vintage champagne. Sure, they are fancier and usually more interesting, but the nuances of the wine will be lost on everyone as the focus is on the bell dropping, not the vintage of your bottle. It’s not worth the premium you pay, at least not on NYE.
   

   Yeah. Don’t.

4. Don’t get discouraged if you do not get a chance to taste the wine you brought. Look, those you loathe, you loathe for a reason and they are likely going to be the ones that not only open y0ur bottle but also Bogart the thing for the entirety of the evening. Just accept that. So bring something decent, but that won’t leave you heartbroken when the inevitable happens.
5. Buy the bottle before December 31st if at all possible. The last thing you want is to show up at the wine shop and find that the only “champagne” they have left is La Marca Prosecco. Buy your bubbles on the 30th or earlier.

What should you buy? Here are my choices, widely available:

1. Taittinger: although the last bottle I had of this wine was less than stellar, it remains one of my personal favorites.
2. Gosset: For a long while, this was our “house champagne” and it only fell out of favor because we found something just as good only cheaper.
   

   One of my favorites, Gosset Grand Réserve.

3. Mailly Grand Cru: This is what replaced Gosset as our house champers and remains a favorite, but it, too, has become a bit pricey. Only available at Total Wine in the U.S.
4. Bollinger: A classic producer from one of the best villages in Champagne, I always try to have several bottles of this on hand or near by.
5. Drappier, André Clouet, Alfred Gratien: All a bit harder to find, but still around in most markets. If your goal is to drink your own champagne at the party, these are lesser known so less-likely to be targeted by those that shall not be mentioned.
6. Krug: Don’t bring Krug. Unless I am invited.
7. Perrier-Jouët, Billecart-Salmon, Ruinart: These are the producers of perhaps the benchmark rosés in Champagne. Again, these are pretty fancy and probably best for smaller gatherings, but will definitely be appreciated by champagne hounds.
8. Piper-Heidsieck: Without a doubt, this is my top recommendation as it is widely available, affordable, and completely delicious. If someone shows up at my party with a bottle of this, we must become friends, even if they were previously in the “loathe” category. Clearly, they deserve another chance.