Prosecco

After what 2011 has done to our finances, it can be hard to justify shelling out big bucks for a bottle of French Champagne for New Year's Eve. But if the idea of toasting in 2012 with a cheap sham leaves you pained, don't worry: There are plenty of superb sparkling options out there that won't bust your budget.

As France's champagne producers have endlessly reminded us, to be a true champagne, a sparkling wine must originate in the Champagne region of France. Unfortunately, "real" champagne doesn't come cheap, and the inflated dollar has driven the price up even further. On the bright side, even if you...