I have a few missions in life when it comes to wine. One, of course, is to get more people drinking the stuff. Another big one is to remind you all to drink more rosé in seasons other than summer, because it’s always delicious and so great with food.

This week, I share another passion: sparkling wine. Hey, if you’re even reading a wine column I probably don’t have to sell you on the fact that sparkling wine is great. Where I feel some folks need a little encouragement, mind you, is to think of sparkling wine as something that can be integrated into everyday life.

Sparkling doesn’t necessarily mean fancy or pricey, but it can almost always mean appropriate. Feeling lazy and just putting out a cheese board for dinner? Pop a cork. Getting takeout barbecue or Mexican, or preparing a quick and easy salad? Let the bubbles flow.

Also fun? Sipping a little sparkling on its own, even if you’re not having it with dinner. This week, here’s a quintet of sparkling-wine recommendations just as appropriate for Tuesday nights binging on Stranger Things on Netflix as they are for getting your party going on the weekend.

Ruffino Prosecco

(Veneto, Italy; $16.99, B.C. Liquor Stores)

There’s a wide variety of Proseccos on the market at all levels of quality, but for the price, I think we have a really solid entry here. A bunch of white flowers bloom out of the glass, leading to a palate that has a good dose of earthy character, some candied lemon peel, Bartlett pear, and a distinct splash of apple juice—not cheap, industrial apple juice, though. I’m talking one of those artisanal, cloudy, organic apple juices you find at farmers markets. Tangy, with just a tiny nuance of sweetness, it’s a well-balanced gem. My constant quibble with Proseccos is that they’re often a little too sweet for me; my concerns are alleviated here. Nice stuff. Also, it’s one dollar off at B.C. Liquor Stores until September 3.

Ruffino Sparkling Rosé

(Veneto, Italy; $19 to $23, private liquor stores)

Another outing from Ruffino sees aromatics reminiscent of a lively sea breeze wafting through ripe blackberry bushes on a hot day. The brambly berry fruit on the palate is well concentrated, with particulars including strawberry, red currants, anise, and maybe a bite or two of red Twizzlers. Initially, it comes across as kind of sweet, but the finish is nice and dry, perhaps including a dash of pepper. It’s predominantly crafted from the Glera grape, which is synonymous with Prosecco, but it’s the inclusion of Pinot Noir that gives it its colour and pizzazz.

Steller’s Jay Sparkling Gewürztraminer

(Okanagan Valley; $21.79, website)

Let’s get this straight. If you don’t like Gewürztraminer, you’re not going to enjoy this wine. If you have an appreciation for the variety, however, this’ll be right up your alley. The wine comes storming out of the gates with intense varietal notes of concentrated litchi fruit and sage. The fizz is intense, bringing a hearty oomph of lemon candy, lime leaf, brûléed pineapple, and a smack of white-pepper heat on the finish. Enjoy it with something rich that would be served well by a fruit chutney. Think grilled cheese sandwiches or rotisserie chicken.

Charles de Fère-Brut Mérite

(France; $17.99, B.C. Liquor Stores)

A quirky French blend of Merlot, Grenache, Pinot Noir, and Gamay, this wine could be selling for 30 bucks and I’d still be waving its flag. Classic Champagne-y aromatics like freshly baked bread, apples, and ginger waft out of the glass, with baked apples and currants rounding out the palate. Further returns to the glass include quince notes, a basket of pears, a little star anise, and a touch of honey on the end. The layers and deliciousness continue with each sip.

Maverick “Ella” Sparkling Wine

(Okanagan Valley; $35, website)

South African native Bertus Albertyn is the guy behind the South Okanagan’s Maverick Estate Winery, a family affair he’s been involved with since his very successful tenure at the nearby Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. There’s no concern of that big-name pedigree overshadowing his current work, as he’s been delivering the goods at Maverick since its first vintage just a few years back. This traditional-method sparkling is one of the newer bottles of bubble coming out of the Okanagan, but from where I’m sitting, he’s solidly standing with the best of ’em. The components here are 80 percent Pinot Noir, with 20 percent Chardonnay carrying out the balance, all nice and toasty on the nose, followed by delightful characteristics of honey-slathered brioche, roasted hazelnuts, and maybe a touch of orange marmalade on the palate. A tough bottle to pin down—you’ll have to call the winery directly to get them to send you some. Well worth the effort.