Like we ever *needed* an excuse to pop open a bottle of bubbly.  But we’re getting one, thanks to the The Champagne Bureau, the US arm of the trade association representing all Champagne houses in France.  Get ready to celebrate, because this Friday, October 28 is the second annual National Champagne Day.

Strictly speaking, the “champagne” label can only be applied to those wines hailing from France’s Champagne region.  But heck, why not bend the rules a bit (and save some dough in the process) and consider some other great sparklers like Cavas from Spain or a great US sparkler like the ones produced at Schramsberg or Mumm Napa Valley.  Once it’s in the glass, who’s to know you’re cheating just a wee bit??

Thanks to Wine Gal – always two steps ahead of the trends – to call National Champagne Day to my attention.  She also suggests I wrap things up in the immortal words of Madame Bollinger:

“I drink champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.”

Cheers!