'Tis the Season for Champagne: Let's Get Bubbly!

With the holidays rapidly approaching, now is the time to stock up on the perfect Champagnes for those special occasions. Chef de Cave Regis Camus recently won the Sparkling Winemaker of the Year award from the Decanter International Wine Competition for the seventh time, making his Piper-Heidsieck/Charles Heidsieck brand a good bet. From low-range to high-end vintages and everything in between, follow these suggestions for the perfect bottle to pop open for those seasonal toasts.

Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV ($40) - A universe of difference exists between a $20 and $40 bottle of Champagne. Take, for example, Piper-Heidsieck's Brut. This creamy, sparking, pale-gold Champagne is smooth but with a nice bite - not tart like the cheaper bruts. The initial crisp, citrus notes are followed by rounder, fruitier apple tones. Impressions of honey, vanilla, coffee, and sweet berries rise to the top, countered by a toasty finish. This brut has fine length and harmony, proving a good pair with cheeses, poultry, and seafood. It's also the best bet in this price range.

Piper-Heidsieck Rose Sauvage ($55) - The intense, bright pink color of this Rose Sauvage is stunning, and so gay, in the oldest sense of the word. This champagne's perfect balance makes you smile after every sip. The way the pink bubbles race to the top of your flute after every pour screams "danger," but in a very fun, very fey way. Its full mouth reveals itself on first blush, no pun intended, with a fruity, tart, cider aroma studded with Morello cherries, citrus, and blood orange. It then moves from sour to sweet - but not too sweet - with a warm finish. The initial tang of ripe red berries and plums dissipate to a hint of cinnamon. This sparkling Champagne blend is great for romantic evenings, and pairs well with lamb and duck.

Charles Heidsieck Brut NV ($55) - This remarkably smooth, fully developed wine, the result of three years of maturation, was named by Decanter World Wine Awards as the "Vintage Champagne of the Year." Its yellow-gold eye comes from the top crust Champagne grapes selected to make this brut, and contains 40 percent reserve wines. The result is a fully ripe Champagne, redolent of nectarines and plums, with a nougat honey finish. It opens up on the palate warmly, and reveals notes of lemon zest, ginger, cardamom, and coriander. The fruity body is tamped by a mineral and charred oak bouquet, and has a lengthy, honeyed finish. This is a nice wine to accompany oysters, providing good clarity and a creamy ginger palate.

Piper-Heidsieck Vintage 2004 ($60) - This delicate, slightly more upscale vintage shines sunny citrine yellow with a fine bubble that reinforces the sparkle. The first notes of fresh hazelnuts and almonds dissolve into tones of apricots and citrus, coconut and cedar. This subtle wine offers overtones of dried roses or violets, and has a rich but sober nose. This Champagne pairs well with upscale appetizers like Devils on Horseback just as well as with fruit dishes like shrimp/pineapple skewers, chutneys, or sweet/salty desserts like chocolate salted toffees.

Charles Heidsieck Vintage 2000 ($80) - When it comes to gift giving, sometimes the perfect present is the one that's already wrapped. And this mid-range Heidsieck Vintage, presented in a refined ecr� gift box, is the perfect way to tell someone they're special. The golden-rye hue is effervescent, with a mineral nose that evokes oysters and caviar. This bracing Champagne has notes of apple, toasted wheat, and honey balanced with candied fruit and peaches, plus a wintery taste of pine. It shows surprising age for such a young vintage, proving a top buy for those who want to make an elegant impression. This quality wine is best when paired with foods, particularly smoked fish or hard cheeses.

Piper-Heidsieck Rare 2002 ($230) - If beauty were only surface deep, this Piper-Heidsieck Rare 2002 would still prove a winner. The beautiful packaging, complete with a gold-plated filigree overlay on the bottom of the bottle and a red and gold decorative ring around the neck, screams classy. Once you overcome the wow factor, pop the cork and unleash the true beauty of this Champagne. The silky texture of this gold-green tonic will excite you even before you raise your glass. Take a sip, and unleash the fine balance of honey and red berries, plus discreet notes of wood, pepper, and ginger. A coffee-bean finish with end notes of incense round out the delicate finale. This light, tonic champagne balances fresh and fire, justifying the high score it garnered from "Wine Spectator".