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Wine Guides & Travel · Vine Blog

Buying Guides & Top Picks

Best-of lists and honest value calls from our buyers — reds under $30, cult producers, cellar-worthy finds.

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Looking for something specific? Try a region (“Willamette”), a vintage (“2022 Bordeaux”), or a question (“how long should I decant?”).

Wine Guides

Wine 101: The Basics
Red wine being poured into a wine decanter with a built-in aerating chamber on a rustic wooden table.
  • by Greg Martellotto

Decanting vs. Aerating: Does It Actually Make a Difference?

Decanting and aerating can transform young, tannic reds like Cabernet, Barolo, and Bordeaux—but they can...

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Rosé
Bottle of rosé wine chilling in an ice bucket beside a pool with two glasses, sunglasses, and an open book on a sunny afternoon.
  • by Greg Martellotto

The Best Rosé Lives Under $35: How to Pick a Bottle Worth It

Rosé isn't just a summer accessory—and it doesn't need to cost $100 to be good....

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Graduation
Graduation party wine selection featuring sparkling wine, white wine, rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir for a summer celebration
  • by Greg Martellotto

How to Pick Wine for a Graduation Party: A June Celebration Buying Guide

Planning a graduation party this June? Learn how much wine to buy, the best wines...

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Champagne
Couple enjoying glasses of Chardonnay at an outdoor garden dinner table during golden hour with a wine bottle and appetizers nearby.
  • by Greg Martellotto

Chardonnay Day: The Story, the Styles, and Why May 24 Matters

Celebrate Chardonnay Day with the story that changed wine history forever. Discover how the 1976...

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Red Wine
Several glasses of red wine in a line overa wood countertop.
  • by Greg Martellotto

Best Value Red Wines Under $30 in 2026: 9 Bottles Worth Every Penny

Looking for the best red wines under $30? This guide breaks down 9 standout bottles...

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Wine 101: The Basics
Person browsing an online wine shop on a tablet at home, comparing bottles and prices
  • by Greg Martellotto

Buying Wine Online: A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Well

Buying wine online opens the door to small-production bottles you’ll never see in a supermarket...

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Austria
German Chateau with Riesling wine bottles.
  • by Greg Martellotto

German Riesling Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Bottle

German Riesling ranges from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. This guide explains how to tell the...

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Bordeaux
Why 2022 Bordeaux Might Be the Smartest (and Freshest) Buy of the Decade
  • by Greg Martellotto

Why 2022 Bordeaux Might Be the Smartest (and Freshest) Buy of the Decade

Drink now. Age for decades. Skip the tariffs. If you’ve ever thought Bordeaux couldn’t surprise...

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Bordeaux
Why 2020 Bordeaux Is the Sleeper Vintage You Should Be Buying Right Now
  • by Greg Martellotto

Why 2020 Bordeaux Is the Sleeper Vintage You Should Be Buying Right Now

Precision. Personality. Value. The Best of Modern Bordeaux. While the spotlight has shifted to 2022...

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Top Picks
12 Best Red Wines Under $50 from California To Buy Now from Big Hammer Wines
  • by Greg Martellotto

12 Best Red Wines Under $50 from California To Buy Now from Big Hammer Wines

Napa Valley is the leading region in California, but the prices of those wines have...

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Top Picks
Italian Ambassador's Top 12 Italian Red Wines to Buy Today at BHW
  • by Greg Martellotto

Italian Ambassador's Top 12 Italian Red Wines to Buy Today at BHW

Bella Italia and La Dolce Vita! Welcome to the Greg Martellotto's pick for the Top...

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Top Picks
Top 12 White Wines to Buy at BHW Now
  • by Greg Martellotto

Top 12 White Wines to Buy at BHW Now

One of the most common things I hear from red wine lovers is, "I like...

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Top Picks
Top 15 Bestselling Wines at BHW That Are Still Available
  • by Greg Martellotto

Top 15 Bestselling Wines at BHW That Are Still Available

Since 2009, Bighammerwines.com has offered a deal of the day wine. We make volume deals...

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Wine Guides
Top 10 Portuguese Wines of 2024 Oporto Tasting & Judging
  • by Greg Martellotto

Top 10 Portuguese Wines of 2024 Oporto Tasting & Judging

In February of this year I was invited to participate in an annual tasting with...

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Top Picks
Greg's Picks Founder's Favorites Available Now
  • by Greg Martellotto

Greg's Picks Founder's Favorites Available Now

Here are twelve of our Founder's Favorites. These are the wines that Greg recommends to...

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Top Picks
12 Eclectic Red Indigenous Varietals People Are Afraid to Try. But You Shouldn't Be
  • by Greg Martellotto

12 Eclectic Red Indigenous Varietals People Are Afraid to Try. But You Shouldn't Be

An Adventure in Wine: Travel the World Through Your Glass For the true wine lover,...

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Top Picks
The Top 15 Cult Wine Producers in California You Need to Know About
  • by Greg Martellotto

The Top 15 Cult Wine Producers in California You Need to Know About

California is one of the world's premier wine regions, famous for its diversity of terroirs,...

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Top Picks
BHW's Most Loved Wines – Together in One Ultimate Case
  • by Greg Martellotto

BHW's Most Loved Wines – Together in One Ultimate Case

This is a selection of wines that our clients have recently purchased in droves. These...

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Bordeaux
Top 12 Bordeaux Wines Available at BHW Now!
  • by Greg Martellotto

Top 12 Bordeaux Wines Available at BHW Now!

Bordeaux is the #1 wine region in the world. Most wine lovers swoon over the...

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Top Picks
12 Best Red Wines Under $25 You Can Buy Right Now at BHW
  • by Greg Martellotto

12 Best Red Wines Under $25 You Can Buy Right Now at BHW

Want to find a great 90+ rated red wine for under $25? With thousands of...

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Wine 101: The Basics
Shabbat dinner table set with two braided challah loaves, red wine, a silver Kiddush cup, and lit candles.
  • by Greg Martellotto

Uncorking the Secrets of Kosher Wine: A Simple Guide

Kosher wine confuses a lot of people. It isn't a style or a flavor. It's...

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Wine 101: The Basics
The 6 Italian Rosés You Should Be Drinking
  • by Greg Martellotto

The 6 Italian Rosés You Should Be Drinking

Summer means rosé. And, when it comes to Italian wine, we don’t say rosé -...

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Wine 101: The Basics
Here's Why You Should Reconsider Buying Wine At The Supermarket
  • by Greg Martellotto

Here's Why You Should Reconsider Buying Wine At The Supermarket

Did you know that nearly ⅔ of all wine sold in the US is sold...

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Top Picks
The 12 Best Wines to Drink in 2023
  • by Greg Martellotto

The 12 Best Wines to Drink in 2023

Hi dear wine friend, The beginning of the year brings with it new opportunities, new...

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