Super SUPER Cheap Champagne

[ANGB]

Do you know of any super inexpensive sparkling wines (champagne)? I'm talking DIRT CHEAP...as far under $10 as possible. Taste is not an issue; price is. I know that Big Lots used to carry alcohol (well, wine), but I don't think they still do, and I don't think they sold champagne/sparkling wine there. Any ideas for places or brands would be great! Thank you.

[beakersmom]

Do you have a Trader Joe's by you? They always have (cheaper) sparkling wines. As a matter of fact, that's where we got ours for New Years.

Also, World Market has good prices as well. Hope this helps!

[looch]

Is the intent to mix the champagne with something, shake up the bottles and pop the corks and pour it on someone?

Life is too short for cheap champagne if you are going to drink it straight!

[ANGB]

No TJs or World Markets close by, unfortunately.

And I agree...life IS too short for cheap wine or champagne! But this isn't my call or my budget.

[Aimee]

Andre Champagne. Bottom shelf in the grocery store. $3-$5 a bottle.

:)

[Fenway]

Taste is not an issue; price is.
I agree with Aimee. For cheap champagne when taste isn't an issue, go for the Andre. I think that's the cheapest you'll find.

When taste does matter, go for Barefoot Sparkling Chardonnay
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c178/mimgrrl/IMG_0933.jpg
It's under $10 a bottle and DH and I prefer it to Dom.

We declared every Friday "Champagne Friday" and pop a bottle to celebrate the end of the work week.

[ssstephanie]

Isn't Korbel about $8/bottle?

[emmasart]

There is also Prosecco, which is basically lower quality champagne. I use it for Bellini's. There's no reason to waste expensive champagne on a mixed drink. Also, I think it tastes pretty good by itself. I find generally find good prosecco for $6 - $10.

[Sarah]

Great Western is under 10 a bottle and I recently read a positive review of it in one of the cooking mags, like Gourmet or Bon Appetit or something. I think it's decent.

[bookworm]

I buy my inexpensive sparkling wine at Trader Joe's as well--many choices in the under-$12 range!

I agree with the recommendation to look for Prosecco--it's sparkles appropriately, and tastes a bit less...strong...than some inexpensive sparkling wine can (i.e., that little throat constriction that happens with Korbel doesn't necessarily happen with a prosecco).

[amew]

Cook's is super cheap. I'm not sure how it compares to Andre, but I am fairly sure both are very cheap and well under $10. Of course, you would have to pay be three times that to actually drink the stuff, but you said taste wasn't an issue...

[charliezangel]

I second Cook's or Andre. Definetly the cheapest without being absolutly disgusting...
BTW, what is this for??? Inquiring minds....

[moderngal]

There is also Prosecco, which is basically lower quality champagne.
This is inaccurate. Prosecco is a varietal- it is Italian sparkling wine, just like Cava is Spanish sparkling wine and Champagne is a specific regional French sparkling wine. Not all Prosecco is cheap or of low quality.

[KarenS]

Korbel is usually around $12 a bottle here, and can be found on sale for $9.99 around the holidays.

There's no reason to waste expensive champagne on a mixed drink.I so disagree with this. Even if you're mixing it with something, you can tell the difference between good champagne and bad champagne.

Karen

[skyblu]

Asti around here goes for as low as $5 a bottle! It's super-sweet, though...

[kemaji]

I would check out prosecco or cava as a less expensive option to champagne. If you have a local wine store, or perhaps an Italian deli or food store, they might carry prosecco.

This is inaccurate. Prosecco is a varietal- it is Italian sparkling wine, just like Cava is Spanish sparkling wine and Champagne is a specific regional French sparkling wine. Not all Prosecco is cheap or of low quality.

I was just going to say the same thing.

[alisong]

My favorite cheap sparkelling is Cristallino (Spanish), about $5-6 a bottle, from Cost Plus/World Market.

[katmg]

My favorite cheap sparkelling is Cristallino (Spanish), about $5-6 a bottle, from Cost Plus/World Market.

I second this. I have a bottle in my fridge right now. :)

[Marie]

Prosecco is an excellent option.

There's also an Italian sparkling wine called "Verdi" that you can usually find for about $3-5 a bottle. Super cheap, sweet but it has bubbles and can be enjoyed if you aren't into good wine. Ah, yes...those college days!

[Amuse Bouche]

I'll 3rd Cristallino. You can usually get good deals on Spanish Cava in general, and it's usually good.

[yby1]

Cheap champagne? NOOOOOO! (http://starwarsnoooos.ytmnd.com/)

I 4th the Cristallino suggestion.

[kalogrias]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Ballatore -- $6/bottle (used to be $2.99 when I was in college), and it's actually pretty decent -- and it comes in a pink/red variety, too.

[Amuse Bouche]

Actually Freixenet (another Spanish Cava) is usually pretty cheap, and pretty good.

[bookworm]

Based on this thread, I picked up a bottle of Cristallino to use for mimosas this weekend :).

[charliezangel]

Cheap champagne? NOOOOOO! (http://starwarsnoooos.ytmnd.com/)

I 4th the Cristallino suggestion.


Can i just say...I clicked on that link and my speakers were all the way up...scared the crap outta me, lol

[Esq.]

you guys are killing me! Champagne is my absolute favorite alcoholic beverage. UGH! When the baby is born, i have an excuse to drink a little, right ? ;)

[Missy2U]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Ballatore -- $6/bottle (used to be $2.99 when I was in college), and it's actually pretty decent -- and it comes in a pink/red variety, too.

You just reminded me - I have to pick up a bottle of Cold Duck (YES it's my favorite - don't laugh at me!) on my way home. :D

[cosmic]

Another vote for Korbel's! Perfect for those morning-after mimosas, too. ;) We had to skip that ritual this time around. But next year, it's on.