Champagne season is upon us, but those of us living in the real world will be much more likely to pop prosecco this New Year than Piper-Heidsieck. That’s why we’ve undertaken the tiresome chore of testing out the best bubbles in Bangkok for under B1,000. That’s right, these are all well within any party budget. 

 

 

From: Veneto, Italy
ABV: 11%
Not be the best but we’d still buy it. An uncomplex taste and mild sweetness make for a safe crowd pleaser—provided your friends aren’t all Champagne boffs. 
Verdict: Nothing wrong with safe.
Get it at: IHC Hospitality Solutions, 099-292-4924. info_ihc@italthaigroup.com

 

 

From: Veneto, Italy
ABV: 11.5%
Sour at first but perfectly palatable after a few sips. We’d happily drink it all night, in fact. It’s dry, smells fragrant and, unlike the sweeter stuff, doesn’t feel overpowering after a few glasses. 
Verdict: The all-nighter.
Get it at: BottleGrotto Co., Ltd., 33 Soi Sukhumvit 63 (Ekkamai). www.bottlegrotto.com

 

 

From: Veneto, Italy
ABV: 11.5%
The taste of alcohol is strong—a good sign for the hardcore drinkers. Though it lacks effervescence and smells a little cheap, it’s generally inoffensive. We wouldn’t serve it as a welcome drink, but once our guests are oiled up? Sure.
Verdict: One for the reserves.
Get it at: Virtual Wine Cellar app available on both IOS and Android.

 

 

 

 

From: Treviso, Italy
ABV: 11%
The sweetest of all and not in a tasty way. Fruity but overly ripe. Floral like your grandma’s overpowering perfume. It also turns out to be the most expensive bottle we test!
Verdict: All the wrong notes.
Get it at: Villa Market.

 

 

 

From: Cava, Spain
ABV: 11.5%
Dry, crisp, and well-balanced. Nice and fruity but not sweet or overly ripe (we’re looking at you, Famiglia Pasqua). Plus, it has a pleasant natural aroma—not a spritz of eau de cologne to be traced.
Verdict: The one for the countdown.
Get it at: Villa Market.

 

 

 

From: Catalonia, Spain
ABV: 12%
This one’s actually not bad, but it’s not all that exciting, either. It’s quite dry, yet the aftertaste is sharp and bitter-sweet. We can’t say we love it, but we don’t hate it either. 
Verdict: Grab it if nothing else is on the shelf.
Get it at: IHC Hospitality Solutions, 099-292-4924. info_ihc@italthaigroup.com