What Should You Be Drinking on New Year's Eve? (A flowchart for the oenologically challenged)

Each year, as January first approaches, millions of people throughout the world take time out from their busy lives to contemplate a very important decision that will guide them into the new year: which type of sparkling wine should they drink on New Year's Eve? Before diets have been started, gym memberships have been obtained, and our quests to become all-around better humans have begun, we must first attend to the very important matter of sending the previous year out in spectacular style. It is now common knowledge, through much scientific research (conducted primarily by the professional wine-tasting scientists at Paul Marcus Wines), that the most appropriate method of doing so is by the consumption of sparkling wine. With the plethora of options available to us, this presents a difficult dilemma that we all must face. Prosecco or Cava? Crèmant or Champagne? Blanc de Blancs or rosé? The choices can be overwhelming. To assist with your transition into 2014, we have prepared a handy flowchart to aid you in the bubbly selection process: For a truly extraordinary celebration, we recommend trying one of our Special Club Champagnes. In addition to the 2005 Gaston Chiquet mentioned above, we also carry the 2008 A. Margaine, 2008 Marc Herbart, 2007 Henri Goutorbe and 2005 Pierre Gimonnet. These are part of a very selective group of Champagne producers established in 1971, known formally as the Club Trésors de Champagne. Currently, twenty-six different grower-producers submit their highest-quality offerings (at this point, the samples are of still rather than sparkling wines) to a rigorous tasting by club members. Upon approval, the wines undergo secondary fermentation and three years of aging before a final round of tasting. The wines, though different in style and character, each expressive of their own unique terroir, are then packaged in identical bottles, yet bearing the producer's individual label. Though they are always vintage wines, Special Club wines are not released in every vintage--so as not to tarnish the superior reputation that the club carries, less-than-ideal years are avoided; none of the 26 members produced a Special Club wine in 2003. The 'Special Club' label is essentially a guarantee of not only exceptional quality, but often remarkable value in Champagne.