Wine hamper enthusiasts who are planning to see in the new year with a glass of bubbly need to take care when choosing their beverage, one expert has said.

In an article for SouthCoastToday.com, Heather Fleming said Champagne hails from France and gets its bubbles from carbon dioxide.

She explained in the last decade, consumption of sparkling wine and Champagne - which can be found in luxury gift hampers - has increased and consumers now have more tipples to choose from.

And people can also try Cava, or Prosecco, which are often cheaper than their Champagne counterparts, Ms Fleming noted.

"Gone are the days when if you couldn't afford Champagne, you had to settle for low-quality bubbly that would leave you with a headache," she added.

Ms Fleming observed there are great sparkling wines to suit all budgets.

Earlier this week, an article in the Montreal Gazette advised people to pour Champagne down the side of a tall glass, as this helps to preserve the flavour and bubbles.