3 #ValentinesDay sparkling #wines that won’t break the bank

Love is in the air–and two days away, chicas y chicos. What delicacies will you use to sweep  your Valentine off his feet (or her stilettos)?

As the old saying goes, candy is dandy but Champagne is classier.  You don’t need to spend a fortune on a bottle of sparkling wine or Champagne. Here are three  pink and deliciously sparkly ways to say “I love you” that’ll still leave you some dinero for a nice dinner out.

But first, El Full Disclosure: I received the three wines featured here as samples from an importer. I happened to enjoy the taste and aromatic profile of all three, which is why I’m writing about them. Needless to say (but el FCC requires that I say it anyway), the opinions expressed here are my own.

Cavicchioli 1928 Sparkling Lo Spumante NV

Okay, so this one’s not pink, but it’s sweet with peach and apricot aromas. It’s not over-the-top sweet (we’ll save that for the chocolate). This sparkler from Modena, Italy is made with 100 percent Malvasia grapes and goes beautifully with fresh fruit. And it’s a gorgeous bottle, which any wine snob will tell you is a shallow way to judge a wine. But it’s a good wine in pretty packaging, and it is Valentine’s Day, so live on the edge! The wine retails for $14. What’s not to love?

Lamberti Rosé Spumante Veneto VSAQ NV

Get ready for a whiff of rose petals, raspberries and bananas from this pretty-in-pink sparkling rosé made from Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Raboso grapes. The wine comes from the Veneto region of Italy and is named for one of the oldest families in Verona, home of the star-crossiest of lovers, Romeo and Juliet. At $14 a bottle and with all due respect to Señor Shakespeare, this lovely sparkler will prevent your Valentine’s Day celebration from turning into a star-crossed financial tragedy.

Cavicchioli Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC “Vigna del Cristo” 2011

This Lambrusco from Modena, Italy is made with 100 percent Lambrusco di Sorbara grapes. Uncork it and be romanced by violet aromas, red cherries, and an oh-so-romantic light red color with violet hues. Dry on the palate with a crisp acidity, you can pair this wine with your pre-dinner charcuterie plate. At $17 a bottle, you can actually afford the charcuterie plate.

So there you are, darlings. Now go forth and get your Valentine’s on. And may the sparkle extend beyond your glass (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). ¡Salud!