This week’s wine is 100% Chardonnay from the Burgundy region of France. A wonderful representation of why I prefer Burgundian style Chard over its new-world, oakey counterparts. Louis Latour is a reknowned producer with a reputation for quality, value and consistency, and this wine delivers spectacularly in all on those expectations. Enjoy!

Crestline Piggly Wiggly Price - 14.99 while supplies last

Technorati Tags: alabama, birmingham, pinnacle imports, chardonnay, burgundy, bourgogne, france, wine sales, wine specials, wine deals, piggly wiggly

Thanksgiving can be a tricky day for wine pairings, but with a little bit of thought and some good recommendations, you’ll be just fine.

Here are a few of my favorites, all available at the Pig Crestline:

• Fleur Carneros Pinot Noir - 15.99
• A to Z Oregon Pinot Gris - 12.99
• Columbia Crest H3 Chardonnay - 11.99
• Chono Syrah (Chile) - 11.99
• Saintsbury Garnet Pinot Noir - 19.99
• Sacred Stone Red Blend - 9.99
• Leitz Dragonstone Riesling - 16.99

May your Holiday be full of joy, rest and relaxation as you think back on the past year’s blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Wine Pig!

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(Yes, this is a repeat of a special I ran a few weeks ago, but the wine was so popular, and the price was so good that I am offering a few more cases)

For me, finding balance in a bottle of California Chardonnay can be a challenge, many are so oakey and buttery that the subtle nuances of the Chardonnay grape are lost, ne’er to be heard from again. In Solaire, we find one of the final projects of the late Robert Mondavi, an exploration into the Central Coast of California, namely the Santa Lucia Highlands. Lush and tropical on the palate, Solaire is aged in 100% French Oak, lending a soft, toasty oak flavor to the finish.

Crestline Piggly Wiggly Price - 9.99  while supplies last

Technorati Tags: alabama, birmingham, robert mondavi, solaire, chardonnay, wine sales, wine deals, wine specials, piggly wiggly, california

OZV is a massively fruity Lodi Zin that begs for the simple pleasures of Southern Food. Whether you are having BBQ, burgers or something with a little spice to it, this voluptuous red is a perfect pair. Jammy raspberry, milk chocolate and mocha flavors meld with soft tannins to create a supple finish.

Crestline Piggly Wiggly Price - 14.99 while supplies last

Technorati Tags: alabama, birmingham, wine sales, wine specials, wine deals, piggly wiggly, zinfandel, california, lodi

This week’s wine is a surprise that must be tried to be believed! Who knew that Trebbiano could produce such a complex and enjoyable wine? Light and crisp, Lugana can be compared to a Pinot Grigio of extraordinary quality.

Zenato is one of the wineries I had a chance to visit during my recent trip to Italy. It is a family-owned and run production that has had incredible success over the last few years. I love the wines and I think you will too.

Crestline Piggly Wiggly Price - 13.99

Technorati Tags: alabama, birmingham, italy, pinot grigio, trebbiano, zenato, international wines, wine sales, wine deals, wine specials, piggly wiggly

Louis Latour is a name that almost every wine drinker has heard at least a few times, and for good reason. Over 200 years of winemaking history in Burgundy certainly looks good on a resume. The Valmoissine label is a bit of a new direction for the Latour brand, diverging southward from Burgundy into the Coteaux du Verdon (far south-eastern France).

This Pinot Noir is fresh, ripe and supple, rewarding the drinker for both their good taste and frugality.

Crestline Piggly Wiggly Price - 13.99 while supplies last

Technorati Tags: alabama, birmingham, pinnacle imports, pinot noir, france, burgundy, latour, wine sales, wine deals, wine specials, piggly wiggly

This week I am bringing you three new wines from the folks at Columbia Crest. The Horse Heaven Hills (or H3) lineup (Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet) is getting rave reviews, and its no wonder as Washington State continues to produce great bang for your buck selections. Wine Spectator gave the Chardonnay 91 Points, and the Cabernet 90 Points.

I think this group of wines is going to be a huge hit, and at this price, it is almost risk free.

Crestline Piggly Wiggly Price - 11.99 while supplies last

Technorati Tags: alabama, birmingham, washington state, columbia crest, merlot, cabernet, chardonnay, wine sales, wine specials, wine deals, piggly wiggly

I’m back from a week of high-speed vineyard touring in Northern Italy!

Special thanks to Winebow for a wonderful learning experience. The trip was incredible, and I will share more photos soon.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for some great values and stories from my trip through Conegliano, Veneto, Alto Adige, Valpolicella and Piedmonte.

(photo: Allegrini’s Palazzo della Torre Vineyard and Estate in Valpolicella)

Technorati Tags: alabama, birmingham, italy, wine tour, winebow, veneto, alto adige, valpolicella, piedmonte, wine sales, wine specials, wine deals, piggly wiggly

I will be traveling in Italy for the next week, so there will be no new content, but have no fear, The Wine of the Week UNDER $15 will return October 7th.

I will also (hopefully) have lots of great pictures from my trip through Veneto and the northern reaches of Italian wine country.

See you soon!

Anyone who discusses wine with me regularly could tell you that Syrah is my favorite grape varietal. This week’s wine is a blend of Syrah and Bonarda from Argentina, making a seductive, dark, easily quaffable example of Susana Balbo’s renound wine-making skill.

The Crios wines have gotten some really outstanding press recently, including 89 Points for the Syrah-Bonarda from Robert Parker, but you don’t care about scores right? This wine is yummy, and you can quote me on that!

Crestline Piggly Wiggly Price - 13.99 while supplies last

Technorati Tags: alabama, birmingham, argentina, Susana Balbo, syrah, bonarda, red blend, pinnacle imports, wine sales, wine deals, wine specials, piggly wiggly