Sparkling beverages in time for New Year

The Wine Guy

220 W. Main St., Smithtown, 631-780-6200, thewineguyli.com

When he opened this cavernous store in 2010, John Volpe looked for a name that conveyed approachability, not snobbery. Thus: The Wine Guy.

Most shoppers here use wheeled supermarket carts, and while some of the better bottles are laid down, more of them stand up in sawed-off boxes. Volpe's aim is to offer everything at the absolute lowest price around. Other retailers offer discounts when the customer buys a case (12 bottles) of wine. Not The Wine Guy. "In most cases," Volpe said, "a single bottle here is cheaper than the 'case price' discount elsewhere."

This time of year, The Wine Guy is all about value-priced bubbly. He is selling bottles of Freixenet Brut Blanc de Blanc, a drinkable Spanish Cava, for $4.50 -- significantly less than a six-pack of Budweiser.

Thomas Gilberti, the store's "sommelier" recommends Pisani Prosecco, for $8.74. "It's light and easy," he said, "and not mass produced."

The best sparkling value in the store, Gilberti said, is Roederer Estate L'Ermitage ($38.03), made in California by Louis Roederer, whose most famous French Champagne is Cristal. "L'Ermitage has a classic, yeasty champagne taste," he noted. "Is Cristal a little better? Yes, and it's also $200."