With New Year's and Valentine's Day behind us I guess there is no need to think about buying any sparkling wine for the rest of the year. OK, maybe for the occasional birthday or anniversary but for the most part you're done. If you think anything like myself my answer to those previous statements would be a resounding NO!

Most people don't drink enough sparkling wine. They save it for special occasions. What most wine lovers don't realize is that sparkling wine can be a wonderful partner at the dinner table. Sparkling wine with food? Yes, most sparkling wine is incredibly food friendly. The effervescence and high acidity cut through rich, fatty dishes and surmount even high acid ingredients such as tomatoes and vinegars.

Most of us think of sparkling wine as being too expensive for casual everyday consumption. If you're speaking of strictly French Champagne, I have to agree with you. I love French Champagne, but it's not a wine I can afford to drink every day. But that is not a reason to ignore all the great sparkling wine being produced all over the world today.

It's no secret that French Champagne sales are down over the past several years. This has nothing to do with the quality of Champagne coming out of France. The challenge for Champagne producers is the high quality of sparkling wines being offered to wine savvy consumers.

Whatever your choice from Cava, Crémant, Prosecco or my current favorite Franciacorta, we have a great selection of sparkling wine from around the world that are not only affordable but delicious, food friendly wines that belong on your dinner table on a nightly basis. Why wait for a special occasion? There is simply nothing like a glass of sparkling wine to create a smile-inducing, festive atmosphere in our everyday lives.

Paul Quaglini, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinepaulq