Good Taste is a recurring column by Scott Atkinson, Wine Manager at Piggly Wiggly in Crestline.
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This is the summer of the 2026 World Cup. Even those with zero interest in soccer have felt the energy — the spirit and passion of the world arriving on our shores for the first time. The Scots in Boston. The Algerians in Kansas. The Koreans in Mexico. The Dutch, well, the Dutch have been everywhere. It has been wonderful to see the world’s game in our country on the occasion of our 250th birthday.
The World Cup was first contested in Uruguay back in 1930. This year marks the 23rd tournament, and in all that time only eight nations have ever been crowned World Cup Champions. For our purposes here, we want to raise a glass to four of them — the ones with something serious to say about wine.
Brazil, England, and Uruguay have won the trophy, but none are especially known for a long and storied winemaking tradition, so we’ll tip our hats and move on. Italy is an absolute cornerstone in both soccer and wine — but the Azzurri didn’t make it to 2026. Maybe 2030. That leaves us with four World Cup champions who also happen to produce some of the world’s great wines: Argentina, France, Germany, and Spain. And because it is, after all, our birthday — we’ve added an American wine to the lineup.
Argentina: Cuvelier Los Andes
Argentina hangs its hat on Malbec, and with very good reason. Nobody else in the world makes a Malbec with the energy and dimension that Argentina brings to the grape. This offering from Mendoza is an exceptional rendition of Argentina’s hallmark varietal — and it gets even better when you consider the pedigree behind it. The wine is produced by the same esteemed family that controls the legendary Bordeaux house Château Léoville Poyferré. The result is, of course, spectacular.
*Pairs perfectly with a grilled strip or ribeye from your Piggly Wiggly butcher.*
Germany: Dönnhoff Riesling, Dry
Let’s be very clear about something: Riesling is not always sweet. We will say it again — Riesling is not always sweet. This one even has “Dry” in the name. Don’t fear the Riesling.
Dry Rieslings are extraordinary for Alabama summers. They’re incredibly versatile with food, genuinely refreshing, and the bright minerality has a way of making the heat and humidity feel at least slightly more tolerable. This one from the storied Dönnhoff estate in Germany’s Nahe region is everything a summer wine should be.
*Pairs perfectly with shrimp or fish tacos from your Piggly Wiggly butcher.*
Spain: Familia Torres Clos Ancestral
Summer grilling has a cornerstone, and that cornerstone is a burger. A lot of red wines are wonderful but can feel too heavy for an Alabama summer. This classic Spanish red blend — 45% Monastrell, 35% Tempranillo, and 20% Garnacha Tinta — has the weight and presence you want from a red while still maintaining real lift and elegance. You can even put a slight chill on it. Just make sure you’re starting with that 80/20 ground beef.
*Pairs perfectly with burgers from your Piggly Wiggly butcher.*
France: Etienne Simonis Pinot Blanc, Vieilles Vignes
France is arguably the most diverse winemaking country in the world — red, white, sparkling, rosé, you name it. Choosing just one was not easy. We landed on this Alsatian gem because of how jaw-droppingly delicious it is. Bright, mouthwatering fruit, good body, no oak, no butter. Just an incredible, endlessly versatile, crowd-pleasing white wine that earns every sip.
*Pairs perfectly with white BBQ grilled chicken from your Piggly Wiggly butcher.*
USA: Ridge Three Valleys
There is, it must be said, some snobbery in the wine world. Shocking, we know. One longstanding example is that European wine circles have historically not held American wine in particularly high regard. But even the most pretentious European wine snob will concede that Ridge Vineyards is an inarguably world-class winery. The Ridge Three Valleys is a stunning value from one of California’s most respected producers — and on America’s 250th birthday, it belongs on this list.
*Pairs perfectly with generously sauced ribs from your Piggly Wiggly butcher.*
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All five wines are available at Piggly Wiggly in Crestline Village. Stop in and Scott will point you in the right direction — or toward whatever else is worth opening this summer.
*Read more like this in the latest issue of About Town. Not getting the magazine yet? Subscribe to receive future copies, or sign up for our email and stay connected to the best of Birmingham.*
