Sparkling wines can turn any occasion into a special celebration. Even though champagne is the undisputed king of sparkling wines, the most modest champagnes can still carry a price tag that makes them unsuited for a spur of the moment Tuesday night dinner. While these wines, like prosecco, cava, and sparkling moscato, may not have the cache or provenance of champagnes, they can deliver great quality at very reasonable prices. One such wine is Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato.

Jacob’s Creek is Australia’s largest winemaker, and this sparkler has brought home awards by the boatload from competitions around the world. While awards are nice, the true test of a wine is if you like it, and this wine is a very likable wine.

This lightly fizzy, sweet sparkler is soft and approachable with gentle fruit notes that make it a surprisingly good pairing for a number of dishes. Even better, at 9% ABV, it doesn’t pack a big alcohol punch, so you can enjoy a glass or two without worrying that you’ll need a nap soon after.

There isn’t the complexity and yeast-like notes of champagne here. Instead, this sparkling moscato veers towards the sweeter side with light pear and melon flavors that make an excellent counterpoint to spicy foods such as curries and complement both cheese and dessert courses. Pair this with everything from a spicy grilled chicken breast to coconut cream pie to peaches and nectarines off of the tree.

Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato also makes a nice sipping sparkling wine that is both affordable and genial. One could do much worse than ending the day with a cool glass of Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato. At less than $20, you get a lot of value for your money.

Overall, Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato is a great value for a sparkling wine. It isn’t the sparkling wine that I’d pick when proposing marriage or celebrating a promotion, but I’ll definitely reach for it the next time I’m barbecuing or having a craving for a sparkler. Keep an eye out for this one as its always good to have a bottle of affordable sparkling wine in the refrigerator in case of a sudden celebration or unexpected company. Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato is a perfect choice in either case.

Disclosure: I received a sample of this product from Jacob’s Creek for review. No other compensation from Jacob’s Creek was received.