Vitamin Daily Vancouver reader Elizabeth wrote, “Hi there, I'm looking for a nice wine and champagne cooler or ice bucket for my boyfriend. Ideally, I'd be able to have it monogrammed. Do you have any suggestions as to where I should go? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks very much.”

Herewith, our picks for cool coolers at three different price points:

For the gadget guy who favours function over flash, the Vacu Vin champagne cooler comes with a removable, reusable insert that chills champagne in five minutes flat sans ice. $64.99 at Homewerx, 1053 Davie St., Vancouver, 604-682-2204, www.homewerx.ca

Liberty’s silver champagne bucket is perfect for the regal gent. The front features an elegant engraved crest with a spot in the centre for adding your own monogram. $149 at Liberty, 1635 W. Broadway, Vancouver, 604-682-7499, www.libertyinside.com

A mod man will love the slick and shiny stainless steel cooler by Alessi with room for more than one bottle and a bigger, bolder engraving. $336 at Inform Interiors, 50 Water St., Vancouver, 604-682-3868, www.informinteriors.com

If you missed the swine flu but think you may have a case of the wine flu, take a dose of these winning bottles picked by our staff and you’ll be better in no time.

This sparkling wine from France’s Loire Valley comes in metallic navy blue packaging with gold script lettering, meaning it looks (and tastes) tres cher, but isn’t. We always keep some in the fridge in case of ‘emergency.’ Monmousseau Cuvée J.M. Brut, $18.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief

The elegant ivory Paul Mas label looks perfect on your sideboard. And with notes of leather, tobacco and cherry, guys will love this hefty French bargain, too. Paul Mas Grenache Noir, 2007, $11.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief

We’ll be ringing in a new decade with a firm patriotic stand with Trius Brut Niagara Peninsula Mousseux. Part Chardonnay and part Pinot Noire, Niagara’s Trius Brut Mousseux has lovely notes of citrus and apple. $25.70, www.saq.com
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

A nice alternative to champagne, this Italian Prosecco is organic, refreshing, readily available and inexpensive. What's not to love? Villa Teresa Frizzante Prosecco Veneto, $15.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Vouray Moncontour ($19.95) has bubbles so delicate and refined, it’s more like Champagne. Or go crazy and splash out for a bottle of Gosset Grand Millésime Brut Champagne 1999 ($98.25) to drink with your lover. www.saq.com
Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor, French editor

While we’ve met many a good Spanish sparkler, nothing beats the romance of real French champagne.

But before you break the bank on Valentine’s Dom, consider “the Baron,” an elegant little $40 Champers that’s highly sippable (not too acidic) from the Baron-Fuentes Champagne house that is a French-Spanish joint venture.

And after a bottle or two, we suspect you and your date will be well on your way to a little joint venture, too….

To view stock at BC Liquor stores near you, click here.

From 50 Cent and Sean Puffy Combs, to Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz, there isn't an A-list star we haven't seen popping bottle after bottle of Cristal.

At $230 a pop, we mere mortals need to find other options for tonight's main event.

Whether you're on a sparkling wine budget, or have the urge to splurge on Champagne, followour sure-fire picks for the best finds money can buy.

Segura Viudas BrutRosado ($17.40). Affectionately called the poor man's Cristal, this pink-hued Spanish sparkler is perfect for cocktails and house parties.

Sacchetto Prosecco($16.90, $20.40). Delicious Italian sparkling is a steal, and all the rage among the wine savvy.

Blue Mountain Brut ($23.90) and Cipes Brut ($24.90). Okanagan gems sure to wow the masses with their clean, crisp flavours.

Paul Roger Extra Cuveede Reserve ($50). Similar in style to the oh-so-popular Veuve Cliquot ($60) but a better buy.

Taittinger Demi-Sec ($64.90). Hard to find, but arguably one of the best Champagnes at this price point.

Gosset Grande Rose ($78.40). The pink goddess of Champagne and well worth every penny.

Happy New Year!

Available at Kitsilano Wine Cellar, 2235 W. Fourth Ave., 604-736-7660.

Some also available at: Liberty Wine Merchants, (various locations,) www.libertywinemerchants.com, and Broadway International Wine Shop, 2752 W. Broadway, 604-734-8543.