October 2026 edition · Refreshed monthly

The Bottle List

The running list of bottles we would hand a friend, sorted by what you want to spend. Refreshed monthly. Every bottle on this list is one a pro pours at home, and every one can be found well beyond Austin.

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Under $15

3 bottles

Campo de Borja, SpainBorsao GarnachaBodegas BorsaoJuicy, ripe red that drinks like twice the price. The house red for pizza night.

PriceAbout $10

Find itMost big wine retailers and grocery chains.

Stellenbosch, South AfricaPetit Chenin BlancKen ForresterCrisp, bright, and food friendly. Chenin is a somm favorite because it does everything.

PriceAbout $12

Find itMost big wine retailers and grocery chains.

Columbia Valley, WashingtonRieslingChateau Ste. MichelleSpice needs sweetness. A touch of fruit tames Thai takeout and keeps it fresh.

PriceAbout $10

Find itMost big wine retailers and grocery chains.

$15 to $25

4 bottles

Marlborough, New ZealandSauvignon BlancWhitehavenCrisp, crushable, and made for the lake. Acid cuts through anything fried.

PriceAbout $17

Find itMost big wine retailers and grocery chains.

Valdobbiadene, ItalyJeio Prosecco SuperioreBisolBubbles fix everything. Prosecco with spicy tuna rolls is a Danielle Green move.

PriceAbout $18

Find itMost big wine retailers and grocery chains.

Beaujolais, FranceRaisins GauloisLapierreLight, chillable Gamay from one of natural wine's founding families. Pour it with salmon.

PriceAbout $18

Find itIndependent wine shops. Ask for the Kermit Lynch import.

Willamette Valley, OregonWhole Cluster Pinot NoirWillamette Valley VineyardsOregon Pinot for a long dinner with friends. Red that plays nice with fish.

PriceAbout $22

Find itMost big wine retailers and grocery chains.

$25 to $50

3 bottles

Beaujolais, FranceMorgonLapierreThe bottle that makes people rethink Beaujolais. Bright, earthy, and gone fast.

PriceAbout $35

Find itIndependent wine shops. Ask for the Kermit Lynch import.

Alsace, FranceLes Jardins RieslingDomaine OstertagBone dry, mineral, and serious. Acid cuts through fat, so pour it with pork belly.

PriceAbout $30

Find itIndependent wine shops. Ask for the Kermit Lynch import.

Loire Valley, FranceSaumur ChampignyDomaine des Roches NeuvesCabernet Franc with lift. Big enough for steak, fresh enough for a weeknight.

PriceAbout $30

Find itIndependent wine shops. Ask for the Kermit Lynch import.

The Splurge

4 bottles

Champagne, FranceGrande CuvéeKrugThe benchmark prestige Champagne. Every bottle blends more than a hundred wines across a decade of vintages.

PriceAbout $250

Find itFine wine shops and the premium aisle at Total Wine.

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, ChampagneCuvée de Réserve Blanc de BlancsPierre PétersGrower Champagne, all Chardonnay. What somms open instead of the big houses.

PriceAbout $80

Find itIndependent wine shops. Ask for grower Champagne.

Santa Cruz Mountains, CaliforniaMonte BelloRidge VineyardsCalifornia Cabernet that ages like Bordeaux. Mountain fruit, and a legend since the sixties.

Price$250 and up

Find itRidge's own site, or fine wine shops.

Piedmont, ItalyBarbaresco RiservaProduttori del BarbarescoSingle-vineyard Nebbiolo from one of Italy's great co-ops, made only in top years. Decant it and wait.

PriceAbout $80

Find itIndependent wine shops. Ask for a single-vineyard Riserva.

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