In this month's Kushman By the Bottle,  wine expert Rick Kushman shares advice for holiday parties: what to serve if you're the host and what to bring if you're the guest.  Should it be red, white or bubbly? And what about those kitchen knick-knacks with wine motifs? He tackles it all.

LINKS:

• Bottle Talk with Rick and Paul

Rick’ picks for December

Bubbly:

• La Marca Proseco ($15): This Italian sparkling is fresh, a little frothy, and seems a tiny but sweet because of the fruit. A crowd pleaser.
• Korbel Blanc de Noirs. They have a bunch, the Blanc de Noirs rocks. It’s $12-13 in the stores.
• Domaine Chandon Brut Classic and Domaine Carneros Taittinger Brut (Both $15-20-ish): Both are vibrant and clean, and both have mouthful of fruit. Of the two, I’m a bigger fan of the Domaine Carneros Brut and its soft yeasty undertones.
• Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley ($20-22): Drinks very like a French Champagne, meaning it’s a bit lighter, and slightly more crisp than some other American bubblies. Goes with everything.
• Sigura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad ($20-22): This is an easy-to-find Spanish bubbly called Cava. The bottle has a silver band on the bottom  -- so it makes a great gift -- and it’s both crisp and rich.
• Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs ($30): This is the top American-owned sparkling wine house and this wine is creamy and a bit yeasty but still bright.
• Piper Heidsieck Champagne Brut ($34): Everything a genuine Champagne should be. It hits the sweet spot between the dry crispness of French sparklers and the richer fruit flavors Americans love.
• Veuve Clicquot Brut ($42): This is a go-to Champagne for lots of people. Starts with apples, pears and hints of bread and yeast, then finishes crisp and clean.          

Other wines that fit the season:

• Layer Cake Malbec ($12-$14): Argentina’s great grape, a bit spicey, lots of dark fruit. Pairs well with a party
• Clarksburg Wine Co. Cabernet Sauvignon, Clarksburg ($26): This is always a surprise, and always good. They focus is the fruit but it’s round and well balanced and a great local wine.
• Oberon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($23): From Michael Mondavi, everything a Napa Cab should be, except for the price.
• Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($32-$36): One of the best, and most underpriced Cabernets in Napa. Great fruit that goes from bright to dark, and there’s a light lushness to it all.