Alternatives to Champagne for New Year’s Eve

alternatives to champagne on new yearsTime is flying, and now is a great time to begin preparing for your News Years' Eve Party! Coming up with a theme and building your guest list is only part of the work. Coming up with a solid menu and curated wine list that is just as memorable as the passing year is just as important. 

Alternatives to Champagne for New Year’s Eve

If you are superstitious, your meal should include several staples such as black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread, which supposedly bring wealth and good luck, while pork is supposed to inspire progress. There are a variety of other traditions, including popping bottles of champagne. 

Why Champagne?

Champagne has been the drink of choice for European aristocrats since the 16th century when the rich and famous would pour glasses of bubbly at their extravagant parties. To this day, popping open a bottle of Champagne is symbolic of joy and excitement. This joy and excitement carry over to the celebration of the upcoming year, as well as leaving behind the bad of the previous year. 

While Champagne is the traditional wine of choice for New Year's Eve parties, you may want to buck the status quo and treat your guests with something a little different. We have put together a list of alternatives to Champagne that will take your New Years' Eve celebration up a notch.

Similar Styles

If you are looking for something similar in style but slightly different, look no further than these effervescent wine styles.

  • Prosecco: Probably the most popular champagne alternative, prosecco is typically lower in price but just as sparkling. Flavorwise it is almost indistinguishable from its French cousin(Prosecco is from Italy). 
  • Lambrusco: Also from Italy, Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine that pairs nicely with just about anything. This makes it a great choice if you are having a more formal dinner for your NYE party.
  • Cava: This sparkling wine is from the Catalonia region of Spain and is fairly unique from champagne due to its full flavor and low acidity.

To learn more about the differences between these sparkling wines, you can check out our blog post about them here.

Something Different

Sometimes you may want to take your wine list to the next level and go beyond the typical sparkling wine/champagne. If you truly want to leave your guests with a lasting impression, then maybe it is time to break out the big guns.

  • Rare Wines: One way to impress your guests is by hunting down unique styles or rare grapes. Think high-end Bordeaux from Chateau Lafite Rothschild or unique Burgundy. 
  • Natural Wines: If unique is what you are looking for, choose a wild natural wine or a bottle from a local biodynamic producer. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, these bottles are unique and eco-friendly!

Regardless of what you decide to choose for your NYE Celebration, Metro Wines has got you covered with a variety of wines across the spectrum of flavor, price, and experience. You can check out our online store here, or reach out to us for expert help.