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What do you recommend as far as a dry sparkling champagne substitute... like Dom by any other name... thanks for your help in this matter. I really love Dom Perignon on special occasions and have been pretty adamant about not buying French over the last several years. I know my one little bottle won't make the French change but it beats yelling at the TV or flaming Francophiles on the Internet.

I personally like the Spanish wines from the Rioja region. The white wine quenches my thirst like a fresh glass of water. It was amazing.

Favorite sleeper inexpensive white wine from Spain. It is little known outside Spain. Pansa Blanca varietal by Marques de Alella from outside Barcelona. much like a crisp Italian pinot grigio. You may be able order direct from a shipper in your state, many states don't allow this practice. These wines from NW Spain are much different than Rioja - generally friendlier, IMO.

Here is a succinct synopsis that will give you leads to Google. Personally, it is the 'brightness' or acidity if you will that makes Champagne so great and if you want to experiment try finding 'sekt' or 'trocken' when searching - meaning dry in German, the drier the better. German wines are notorious for bright and acidic wines both sparkling and non-sparkling. American sparklings produce some great flavors like what Domaine Chandon (Napa) produces but just don't have the sharpness to justify the price point.

You shouldn't have any trouble finding some quality "Cava" either at really good prices. Many don't realize that Spain actually possesses the most vineyards in the world.