Wine Pairing Guides From a Real Sommelier

Ten guides from sommelier Michael Bottigliero, each naming only wines he has poured at Bottles Nation events. Pick an occasion and get his real picks.

• Best Wines for Date Night — A Sommelier's Real Picks

  Sommelier Michael Bottigliero picks the wines that actually work for date night — approachable, expressive bottles from his personally-poured list, most under $30.

• Best Wines for Steak — Real Sommelier Picks

  Sommelier Michael Bottigliero's actual picks for steak night — Malbec, Cabernet, Shiraz — the reds he pours at events, from real bottles you can buy locally.

• Best Wines for Pizza Night — Sommelier's Real Picks

  Sommelier Michael Bottigliero's honest picks for pizza night: Chianti Classico, a juicy Malbec, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc — reds and whites that actually love tomato sauce.

• Best Wines for Seafood Dinner — Sommelier Picks

  Sommelier Michael's picks for seafood: Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gavi — the whites he actually pours with oysters, scallops, salmon, and shellfish towers.

• Best Wines for Thanksgiving — Sommelier's Real Picks

  Sommelier Michael Bottigliero's picks for the Thanksgiving table: Oregon Pinot Noir, dry Riesling, and a crowd-pleaser sparkling — all on his personally-poured list.

• Best Wines for a Party — Real Sommelier Picks

  Sommelier Michael's crowd-pleaser wines for parties: bottles nobody will complain about, priced so you can buy several. All personally poured by Michael Bottigliero.

• Best Wines Under $15 — A Sommelier's Real Picks

  Sommelier Michael Bottigliero's actual under-$15 picks — the everyday bottles he keeps at home and pours at events. Not filler, not marketing — real value.

• Best Sparkling Wines for a Celebration — Sommelier Picks

  Sommelier Michael's sparkling picks — Champagne, Cava, Franciacorta, and Cremant — the bubblies he actually opens for real celebrations. All on his personal list.

• Best Wines for Spicy Food — Sommelier Picks

  Sommelier Michael Bottigliero's picks for spicy food — off-dry Riesling, aromatic Torrontes, light Pinot Noir — the bottles that actually tame heat, from his list.

• Best Wines for BBQ — Real Sommelier Picks

  Sommelier Michael's picks for BBQ: Shiraz, Malbec, and bold rosé — the bottles that stand up to smoke, char, and sweet-sticky sauce. All from his personally-poured list.