| Champagne: Closest in spirit to an apéritif cocktail, a flute of champagne is rarely outdone. Its tiny bubbles have the cunning to make even the most stern a little heady at just the right time. Never let this fine white wine become the tired expectation at a gathering. Reserve it for the dearest of occasions shared only with the closest of friends. Like many, you may insist that champagne gives you a headache and an inevitable hangover. With hundreds of affordable cocktails that look and taste far above their cost, serve champagne or sparkling wines only when you can afford the best or close to it - even if that means serving a bottle once a year. | ||