Christmas and New Year is always a time for celebration and what better way to toast an important occasion than with a bottle of bubbly. Below is a quick guide to the different types of sparkling wines available to help your party go with a bang.

Sparkling wine is anything that has had a second fermentation. The most famous sparkling wine is, of course, Champagne but there are many others from around the world which vary in colour, strength and sweetness.

Champagne is where sparkling wine originates thanks to the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon whose name has been immortalised as a result. Champagne is a protected brand and only sparkling wine made in this region of France can be called Champagne (even though many people use it as a general term). As well as being the best known of the sparkling wines it also tends to be the most expensive as wine-makers are very conscious of their reputation for quality. Most Champagne is brut which indicates that it is bone dry. This is not to everyone's taste but is the style the region is famous for.

Growing in popularity is Spain's equivalent to Champagne which is Cava. It is made using the traditional method of fermentation (i.e. the same as Champagne) but using different grapes. Most Cava is made in Catalonia and the two biggest (and fiercely rival) producers which you may have heard of are Codorníu and Freixenet. In comparison to Champagne, Cava is not quite as dry and many would argue that it is better value for money.

Italians specialise in medium sweet sparkling wines. A name you probably know is Asti - it recently dropped the 'Spumante' in an attempt to re-brand itself and distinguish itself from a host of other sparkling wines. Moscato di Asti is the better version of Asti. Rising in popularity is Prosecco which is drier than Asti. Prosecco is made in the Veneto region of Italy and is also a protected name. It has a crisp, appley flavour and is also significantly cheaper than Champagne. However, it is not made using the traditional method.

Just a note - when you are opening a bottle of sparkling wine do not do a Michael Schumacher routine! There is a huge amount of pressure inside these bottles and you must be careful. Direct the bottle away from yourself, other people and valuable objects. Place a tea towel over the bottle and open the wire. Keep the towel over the bottle and twist the bottle, not the cork.

As this is my last column until the January 4, I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at Sally's Cellars.