Sunset magazine's Wine & Drinks section is a running masterclass in drinking well without overspending, and its latest roundup pulls together the tips worth stealing. The headline piece asks sommeliers how they find the best value bottles — the insider logic being that great wine isn't about the price tag, it's about knowing where value hides on the shelf and which styles deliver more than they cost.
Beyond the budget advice, there's plenty here for travellers who plan trips around a glass. Sunset points readers toward the West's standout wine destinations, its editors run a Wine Club built around bottles paired with recipes from the magazine, and a practical item flyers will love: you can now check an entire case of wine to certain destinations — a genuine shift for anyone who's ever agonised over stuffing souvenirs into a suitcase. On the trendier end, the spritz continues its takeover as the sip of the season, there's a push to try new twists on traditional drinks, and yes, potato chips paired with wine is a thing — the high-low combo that went viral on TikTok, complete with proper pairing advice.
The coverage isn't all celebratory, either. One useful reality check explains why some non-alcoholic drinks aren't actually better for you, a good gut-check for anyone leaning into the sober-curious wave. There's also seasonal guidance — citrus-forward drinks while the fruit is at its peak, cocktail tips from a Washington cocktail farm — plus fundamentals like a wine IQ guide, storage advice, and expert takes on how restaurants approach pouring and pairing.
For travellers, this is the kind of low-stakes reading that pays off on the road: whether you're building a wine-country itinerary through California, Oregon, or Washington, packing a case to fly home, or just trying to order a bottle at dinner without wincing at the bill, the through-line is the same. Ask for the sommelier's value picks, stay open to unexpected regions and styles, and remember that a drink is only as good as its ingredients — including the ice in your cocktail. It's a friendly primer for anyone whose holidays tend to revolve around what's in the glass.
Story via Sunset.
