Wine Buying Guides

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No guesswork. Our experts narrow the field so you spend less time choosing and more time drinking.

Under Budget4 picks

Best Cabernet Sauvignon Under $120

Our tasting panel ranked the best Cabernet Sauvignon bottles under $120. From value picks to near-luxury, these are the bottles worth every dollar.

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Gift Guide4 picks

Best Wines for Dad — Father's Day 2026

Skip the gift card. These are the four wine bottles that will genuinely impress dad this Father's Day — from a crowd-pleasing $55 to a proper showstopper.

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Under Budget4 picks

Best Pinot Noir Under $100

The best Pinot Noir under $100, ranked by our tasting panel. From entry-level elegance to near-Burgundy complexity — all without the three-digit price tag.

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Under Budget4 picks

Best Red Wine Under $60

The best red wine bottles under $60, curated by our tasting panel. Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel — these are the everyday-luxury picks that never disappoint.

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Gift Guide4 picks

Best Wine Gifts Under $100

The best wine gift bottles under $100. Our panel picks for every recipient — from the casual drinker to the wine-obsessed friend who is hard to impress.

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Pairing Guide4 picks

Best Wines to Pair with Steak

The best wine and steak pairings, ranked by our tasting panel — whether it is a $15 grocery steak or a Wagyu tomahawk, one of these is built for it.

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Best Of4 picks

Best Wines for Summer Entertaining

The best wines for summer entertaining, from a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to a crowd-pleasing Champagne — picks for garden parties and long warm evenings.

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Under Budget4 picks

Best White Wine Under $60

The best white wines under $60, curated by our tasting panel. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay picks that overdeliver without the premium price tag.

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Pairing Guide4 picks

Best Wines to Pair with Seafood

The best wine and seafood pairings, from oysters to white fish to a full seafood spread — the bottles built for everything the ocean offers.

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Pairing Guide4 picks

Best Wines to Pair with Cheese

The definitive wine and cheese pairing guide: the right bottle for every style, from a crisp Chardonnay with Brie to a Cabernet with aged cheddar.

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Best Of4 picks

Best Napa Valley Wine Under $150

The best Napa Valley wines under $150, ranked by our tasting panel: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and two exceptional Cabernets, at an accessible price.

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Best Of4 picks

Best Wines for a First Date

The best wines for a first date, from an elegant Champagne opener to a conversation-starting Pinot Noir — good taste without demanding commentary.

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Best Of4 picks

Best Wines for Beginners

The best wines for beginners, chosen by our tasting panel. Four bottles covering white, red, blend and sparkling — approachable without being dull.

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Collector4 picks

Best Napa Mountain Cabernets

The best Napa mountain Cabernets, tasted blind. Mt. Veeder, Howell Mountain and Diamond Mountain side by side — and what altitude changes in the glass.

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Collector3 picks

Best Grand Cru Burgundy

Three Grand Cru red Burgundies from Gevrey-Chambertin, tasted blind and scored against our published rubric. What Clos de Bèze and Charmes-Chambertin actually deliver at $265 to $495.

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Pairing Guide4 picks

Best Wines to Pair with Lamb

The best wines to pair with lamb, from a $62 Pinot Noir to a 99-point Napa Cabernet, each matched to a different cut and preparation.

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Pairing Guide4 picks

Best Wines to Pair with Duck

The best wines to pair with duck, from a $55 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir to Grand Cru Burgundy — matched to confit, roast and à l’orange.

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Pairing Guide4 picks

Best Wines to Pair with Roast Chicken

The best wines to pair with roast chicken, all under $70: two Chardonnays, a Pinot Noir and a Champagne, matched to lemon, cream and crisp skin.

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Pairing Guide4 picks

Best Wines to Pair with Mushrooms

The best wines to pair with mushrooms, from a $55 Zinfandel blend to Masseto — matched to portobello, mushroom tart, risotto and truffle.

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Pairing Guide4 picks

Best Wines to Pair with Chocolate

The best wines to pair with dark chocolate, from a $38 red blend to vintage Port — and the one rule that decides whether the pairing works at all.

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Pairing Guide4 picks

Best Wines to Pair with Salmon

The best wines to pair with salmon, from a $55 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir to vintage rosé Champagne — matched to grilled, cedar-planked and herb-roasted.

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