Champagne!!

[maillotpois]

during the holidays, we indulged greatly in piper heidsieck (heisdieck?? I had too much to remember how to spell it. red label.). it was about $5 less than veuve and we concluded we liked it better.

ETA - jo really was correct - taste testing in order.

also, a good place to start is cost plus. they have a darned good selection and prices. I suggest you buy a few and test them.

I also like coppola's "sofia". that's only 15 or so iirc.