Oregon Pinot Noir spent decades being underestimated. It wasn’t California, it wasn’t Burgundy, and the people making it were largely outsiders who drove north from the Bay Area in the late 1960s, looked at the Willamette Valley, and planted anyway. What they built took time to be taken seriously. VinePair named the valley the top wine destination in the world for 2025. Decanter awarded its first 100-point wine from Oregon last year. The underestimation is over.
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Most people have written off Soave entirely. That’s understandable. For decades the name meant cheap, thin Italian white wine — the kind of thing that ends up in a carafe at a red-checkered-tablecloth restaurant without anyone asking for it by name. A lot of Soave still is that. But the category has a ceiling most drinkers have never seen, and the 2023 Pieropan La Rocca is about as close to that ceiling as it gets.
The Pieropan family has been making wine in Soave since 1890. The fourth generation runs things now, and their La Rocca bottling — named for the single five-hectare vineyard it comes from on the slopes of Monte Rocchetta — has been one of the benchmarks of Italian white wine since its first release in 1978. The vineyard is farmed organically, the soils are limestone-rich clay, and the grape is 100 percent Garganega.
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In 1936, a wine merchant named Gabriel Farnet drove through the hills of the Saint-Tropez peninsula and stopped at a 17-acre vineyard overlooking the Gulf. There was a 19th-century château on the property, a small chapel, and vines that had been neglected during the war years. He bought it, replanted everything — Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre — and started making rosé at a time when nobody outside the South of France particularly cared about rosé.
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Few beverages capture celebration quite like sparkling wine, and few occasions invite celebration as naturally as Valentine’s Day. Effervescence carries symbolism—the steady rise of bubbles mirroring anticipation, energy, and shared delight. Whether crafted in Champagne or beyond, sparkling wines elevate a meal and frame a moment. Their vibrant acidity refreshes the palate, their mousse softens texture, and their layered notes of citrus, orchard fruit, brioche, or red berries reward attention. On an evening devoted to connection, sparkle feels not only appropriate but instinctive.
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Sonoma’s Chardonnay story has evolved well beyond the butter-heavy reputation of decades past. Today, the region produces wines of restraint, precision, and place—shaped by coastal influence, diverse soils, and a growing preference for balance over excess. From the fog-laced vineyards of the Russian River Valley to the wind-cooled slopes of Sonoma Coast, these Chardonnays capture the spectrum of what modern Sonoma does best.
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When the temperature drops and staying in feels like the best plan, the right bottle of wine becomes part of the comfort ritual. Cold weather favors reds that feel generous and warming—wines with depth, soft structure, and enough character to pair with hearty food or simply sip while hunkered down for the evening. The best options don’t need to be expensive or overly heavy; they just need to drink well when the fire is on, the lights are low, and the outside world can wait. These three wines consistently deliver that cozy, satisfying experience at approachable prices.
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Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo is an approachable yet sophisticated wine that offers remarkable quality for its price. Typically priced between $10 and $14 per bottle, it delivers balanced flavors and refined structure, making it an excellent choice for both everyday meals and casual entertaining. For a wine under $15, it’s a standout example of how affordability and quality can coexist.
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There’s a sparkling wine for every occasion—whether you’re celebrating big, hosting a cozy dinner, or simply treating yourself after a long week. With so many options on the shelf, it helps to have a few reliable bottles in mind across a range of budgets. Here are three standouts, from approachable to luxe, each with its own personality.
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