Cellar Notes on WYPR

A lot of us have invested heavily in the holiday season, and now it's time to cut back a little bit. But you don't have to give up your favorite wine. Here's four bargains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's party season, and most of us like to bring along something nice for the crowd to enjoy. Here are three sure-fire winners that you and your friends will love! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here are four sparkling wines that are guaranteed to be welcome gifts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here are wines in four shopping categories that are guaranteed to be welcome gifts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes you want to spend an extra buck or two for really nice dinner wine. May we suggest these four winners for your consideration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you have a love for Barolo but can't afford it, try the next best thing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every holiday season breweries all over the world bring out very special beers to celebrate the brewer's crafty creativity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you don't know the whites of Alsace, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to try them. Budget friendly Willm is a good place to start. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These delicious reds from Southern France are among the best bargains out there. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As good as Piedmont's best wines are, it's Barbera that you'll find on the table. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jackson of California partnered with this old Chianti estate to upgrade the wines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pinot grigio has been underwhelming for years, but recent bottlings have shown well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maryland's most successful red grape is also a big winner around the world. Al and Hugh give some cabernet franc picks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the perfect time of year to enjoy Tuscany's preeminent medium bodied red. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al picks out a few bottles of very nice wine that haven't made their way into a show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As long as there have been autumn harvests, there have been ciders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conventional wisdom in Chesapeake Bay Country holds that September is actually the best month of all for crabs. After all, they've had all summer long to get fat and happy, and supplies are never more abundant. Chef Jerry Pellegrino has a few ideas about all this bounty from the bay. Here are a few recipes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This was a new one, even on our boys. Surprisingly tasty white pinot noir. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hugh takes a look at a venerable Napa Valley property with a fine record. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These big-bodied reds from Argentina are crowd-pleasing favorites. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sauvignon blancs are perfect partners for hot weather dining. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest craze in wine packaging has a lot going for it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once overlooked, Italian white wines have seized the spotlight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The choice of white wines from South Africa has never been larger. Hugh reviews his favorites. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once spurned because of apartheid, the South African wine industry is a leading promoter of black African participation. These wines will show their progress. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.