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Consumers seek bargain bubbly in down economy

Sparkling wine sales outpacing more expensive champagne

Noonan’s on Main Street in Hamilton sells many varieties of wine. More people are buying alcohol to host New Year’s parties at home.

Staff photo by Samantha Grier Noonan’s on Main Street in Hamilton sells many varieties of wine. More people are buying alcohol to host New Year’s parties at home.

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 11:39 AM Sunday, December 27, 2009

More residents will be breaking open the bubbly at home this year — and for a lower cost.

While holiday revelers have had little to celebrate during the recession, they’ll still be popping corks off of the fizzy drink for New Year’s. However, many have switched to cheaper alternatives, like California sparkling wine rather than pricey bottles of Champagne from France, according to a Nielson survey.

In fact, high-priced vintage sales have dropped as much as 40 percent. Meanwhile, for the first half of 2009, sales for sparkling wines were up $5 million to $24 million, up from $19 million for the same period last year, according to Nielsen.

With consumers spending more time at home, including for holiday parties, analysts say they are saving there as well by cutting the cost of what they drink.

Andrew Colvey said he was big on Argyle Winery sparkling wine, but not on their price tag. At $45 a pop, he decided to check out some other bubblies. Wine tastings have given him some ideas and an affinity for Spanish wines, known as cavas.

“You can get those for under $25 usually and they taste just as good as high-end sparkling wine or champagne,” the Hamilton resident said.

Theta Thomas of Middletown said she asks her guests to bring a wine of their choice when she hosts a New Year’s Eve party. It saves her money and guests get what they want, she said.

Bag a bargain

Local wine shops offer a wide selection for home parties as well as some great deals thanks to low sales. At Noonan’s on Main Street in Hamilton, employees said they expect lines out the door as the holiday approaches. Already, several varieties of sparkling wine are on sale to entice shoppers. Their top three bargain choices include:

Mumm Napa Cuvee M, normally $23.99, on sale for $19.99.
Martini & Rossi Prosecco for $15.99.
Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial Rose for $58.99.

At the Middletown Fine Wine & Spirits on Breiel Boulevard, wine consultant Bill Sheffey has been busy buying up bargains.

“I was able to pick up a lot of the higher end wines because everyone is having trouble selling them and I can give that savings to the customer,” he said.

Some sparkling wines normally more than $50 a bottle are steeply discounted, making them much more affordable for shoppers, he said.

His top picks for New Year’s Eve include: