If you don’t have bubbly on hand I seriously question your patriotism. Kidding, of course, but on a practical note, there’s no time to lose. The election is closing in on us.

Whether your guy becomes the leader of the free world or not, bubbly in the house is a smart move. You’ll either be able to make a long-lasting toast or drown your sorrows, and either way, bubbles are crucial.

Here’s a trio of sparklers worth considering:

Roederer Estate, NV Brut Anderson Valley, $20

Domaine Carneros, 2008 Brut, $27

J Vintage, 2005 Brut, $48

Other choice producers include Gloria Ferrer, Iron Horse, Schramsberg, Korbel, Mumm Napa Valley, Domaine Chandon. Scharffenberger Cellars,

Once you have your sparkler picks(s) in hand, here’s a quick refresher for serving:

To uncork bubbly, there’s a secret. Contrary to common belief, the best way to open a bottle is not to pop the cork, but rather to slowly allow for the cork’s release, achieving an ideal “sigh” as the cork exits the bottle.

• Remove the foil covering the cork.
• Loosen the wire casing with seven twists.
• Hold the cork, within the wire casing, in the palm of one hand.
•  Twist the bottle while holding the cork and the wire casing. The cork will come out of its own accord.
• One last tip: be sure to make the process look easy.

Just a footnote … you might want to make sure you have a line-up of bubbles. This election may linger late into the night or even  for days or weeks if the lawyers have to get involved.