Join us tomorrow at 5:00PM when Wally’s President Christian Navarro will be catching up with Mary J. Blige in a live virtual tasting on Wally’s TV. The iconic Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, actress, producer and philanthropist will be talking to Christian about her new passion project: Sun Goddess. The tasting will feature the 2019 Sun Goddess Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio Ramato which Mary has debuted this year in collaboration with the highly-regarded Fantinel Winery in Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia DOC. Place your order today and taste along with Christian and Mary to learn about the inspiration behind these exciting new wines.

THE DETAILS

When:

Wednesday, October 21st, 5:00PM

Where:

Instagram Live @Wallysofficial

What:

Taste and enjoy some of the finest expressions from the winery, hear personal stories about the winery, ask questions during a live Q&A

How:

Follow Wally’s Official on Instagram @wallysofficial

We are offering FREE local delivery and FREE ground shipping.

Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato

Wally's Price: $19

The bouquet is intense and complex, with hints of fruits (peach, melon and berries). On the palate it is round, with a pleasant acidity, soft tannins and a finish rich in mineral sensations. With origins in Italy’s northeastern province of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Ramato (Italian for “auburn” or “copper”) wines are produced by macerating Pinot Grigio grape must with its skins. The skins’ pink hue gives the wines color from a semi-pale pink to dark orange, depending on maceration time. - Producer Notes

Sun Goddess Sauvignon Blanc

Wally's Price: $19

Straw-yellow with lively greenish tinges. Intensely aromatic, with tropical notes of passion fruit, banana, and melon and hints of spice. Particularly structured with a balance between an intense acidity and smoothness with a long finish. - Producer Notes

Join us this Thursday, October 22^nd at 5:00PM when Wally’s President Christian Navarro will be catching up with Pursued By Bear owner and vintner, Kyle MachLachlan, in a live virtual tasting on Wally’s TV! Pursued By Bear is one of the most highly acclaimed wineries in Washington and celebrates the spirit and terroir of the Walla Walla Valley. Wine has brought Kyle back home to craft small lots of limited production reds and a rosé that speaks to the promise of this incredible wine growing region. Place your order today and taste the highly acclaimed wines with Christian and Kyle to learn about the story and people behind this superstar winery.

THE DETAILS

When:

Thursday, October 22nd, 5:00PM

Where:

Instagram Live @Wallysofficial

What:

Taste and enjoy some of the finest expressions from the winery, hear personal stories about the winery, ask questions during a live Q&A

How:

Step 1: Follow Wally’s Official on Instagram @wallysofficial

Step 2: To experience the wines with Kyle and Christian, you must order your bottles
by Monday night.

We are offering FREE local delivery and FREE ground shipping.

2019 Blushing Bear Rose

Wally's Price: $29

This wine is half Grenache and half Mourvèdre. Pale in color, with fresh aromas of kiwi, strawberry and melon leading to medium bodied flavors that bring some weight and seriousness but have more than enough acidity to stand them up. Sour cherry flavors linger on the finish. - Wine Enthusiast

91 points, Wine Enthusiast

2016 Baby Bear Syrah

Wally's Price: $59

The 2016 Syrah Baby Bear checks in as 100% Syrah that was destemmed and brought up in two-thirds new French oak. It has a classic Syrah nose of black raspberries, leafy herbs, spring flowers, and peppered game. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, elegant Syrah with fine tannins, good acidity, and a great finish. It will drink well for a decade. - Jeb Dunnuck

93 points, Jeb Dunnuck

2017 Pursued by Bear Cabernet Sauvignon

Wally's Price: $69

Incorporating 10% Merlot and brought up in new oak, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a deep purple hue as well as fabulous notes of crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, damp earth, chocolate, and truffle. Rich and medium to full-bodied, with beautiful purity, it's a fabulous wine from this estate. It will evolve for two decades.

94 points, Jeb Dunnuck

Join us this Thursday, October 15^th at 5:00PM when Wally’s President Christian Navarro will be catching up with Ca’ del Bosco founder Maurizio Zanella in a live virtual tasting on Wally’s TV. Maurizio is the king of Franciacorta and Ca’ del Bosco is the world’s leading producer of this majestic sparkling wine. Maurizio’s introduction to the world of wine came in the 1960s when his mother acquired a small hillside property called “Ca’ del Bosc”. Having studied agriculture, Zanella is an extensively travelled wine cosmopolitan who has put into practice in his native Franciacorta what he learned in France, particularly Burgundy and Bordeaux. Zanella transformed what was a house in the chestnut woods of Lombardy into one of the country’s most modern wineries, becoming one of the leading figures in Italy’s wine renaissance. Place your order today and taste along with Christian and Maurizio to learn about the story and people behind this iconic winery.

THE DETAILS

When:

Thursday, October 15th, 5:00PM

Where:

Instagram Live @Wallysofficial

What:

Taste and enjoy some of the finest expressions from the winery, hear personal stories about the winery, ask questions during a live Q&A

How:

Step 1: Follow Wally’s Official on Instagram @wallysofficial

Step 2: To experience the wines with Maurizio and Christian, you must order your bottles
by Monday night.

We are offering FREE local delivery and FREE ground shipping.

Cuvée Prestige Extra Brut Franciacorta MV

Wally's Price: $40

The NV Franciacorta Cuve Prestige Brut offers a sophisticated and stylish presentation with exotic fruit, baked bread, peach cobbler and Golden Delicious apple. This pretty Cuve (made with 75% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Bianco and 15% Pinot Nero) offers a great sense of richness and creaminess that adds to the fine and silky nature of the perlage. It has the natural acidity and bright freshness to pair with raw seafood. -Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

91 points, Wine Advocate

Cuvée Prestige Rosé Extra Brut Franciacorta MV

Wally's Price: $59

The NV Franciacorta Cuve Prestige Ros is a blend of 80% Pinot Nero and 20% Chardonnay. It exhibits a pale pink color that has evidently been studied and carefully executed. That same attention to detail is applied to the bouquet. Delicate and vibrant aromas of forest berry and cassis emerge slowly from the glass. It also shows subtle yeast aromas of baked bread or croissant. The wine's texture is lean and firm, and the soft effervescence serves to keep the palate clean. - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

92 points, Wine Advocate

Maurizio Zanella 2016

Wally's Price: $90

Personality. The first wine bearing its creator's signature - Maurizio Zanella - on the label, proudly celebrating the passion of Ca' del Bosco's founder. A wine embodying a perfect blend of a territory and its style. A great wine, surely among the jewels contributing to the Italian wine renaissance. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc selected from the winery's finest vineyards, skillfully vinified and refined in small oak barrels guarantee a rock-solid wine, potent yet harmonious, able to mature for years. - Producer Notes

Join us next Friday, October 9th at 5:00PM when Wally’s President Christian Navarro will be catching up with Catherine Kistler in a live virtual tasting on Wally’s TV. Playing an integral role at Occidental Wines, Catherine represents the second-generation of the Kistler family making wine in Sonoma Coast, working alongside her father, the legendary Steve Kistler. The tasting will exclusively feature three Pinot Noirs from Occidental including their limited single vineyard wines from Bodega Headlands Vineyard and Occidental Station Vineyard. Place your order today and taste along with Christian and Catherine to learn about the story behind one of Sonoma Coast’s finest new properties.

THE DETAILS

When:

Friday, October 9th, 5:00PM

Where:

Instagram Live @Wallysofficial

What:

Taste and enjoy some of the finest expressions from the winery, hear personal stories about the winery, ask questions during a live Q&A

How:

Step 1: Follow Wally’s Official on Instagram @wallysofficial

Step 2: To experience the wines with Catherine and Christian, you must order your bottles
by Monday.

We are offering FREE local delivery and FREE ground shipping.

2018 Occidental Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental

Wally's Price: $65

The 2018 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental comes mostly from younger vines at the Occidental property but is made with the same attention to detail as the other wines in the portfolio, using free-run juice. Its nose is an aromatic well, offering crushed blueberries, charcuterie, Earl Grey tea leaves, graphite, saline, bitter orange peel and potpourri aromas. In the mouth, it explodes with lush fruits that give way after their initial rush to bitter, citrusy, minerally accents. It has a fine grain, seamless freshness and long, layered finish. It's enjoyable now but will age well over the next five to eight-plus years. - Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate

95+ points, Wine Advocate

2017 Bodega Headlands Vineyard Cuvee Elizabeth

Wally's Price: $155

One of my favorites in the lineup (but we are splitting hairs), the 2017 Pinot Noir Bodega Headlands Vineyard Cuvee Elizabeth comes from the estate vineyard located around the estate, lying at 400 to 750 feet in elevation. Mostly potential at this point, its dense purple hue is followed by incredibly pure notes of black raspberries, mulberries, pine forest, spring flowers, and an almost iodine/seaside-like salinity and minerality. Medium to full-bodied, with bright acidity, it’s an energetic, racy yet brilliantly balanced, lengthy Pinot Noir that’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for a decade. This is another thrilling wine from Steve Kistler and family. - Jeb Dunnuck

97 points, Jeb Dunnuck

2017 Occidental Station Vineyard

Wally's Price: $155

The 2017 Pinot Noir Occidental Station is stunning from the very first taste. The purity of the fruit here is simply dazzling. Soft curves, silky tannins and soaring aromatics give the Occidental Station tons of allure. Super-ripe red cherry, red plum, blood orange, mint and sweet spice infuse the 2017 with tremendous nuance. All the elements meld together in a racy, inviting Pinot that hits all the right notes. The Occidental Station is the one wine in this range that has stems (30%), but they aren't especially notable. In a word: stunning. - Antonio Galloni

95 points, Vinous

Introducing our new Wally's TV series, In the Kitchen with Chef Ryan! Learn secret recipes from inside the Wally's Kitchen, hosted by our Executive Chef, Ryan Kluver.

This week's dish is inspired by White Truffle Week at Wally's! Make chef's Sweet Corn Risotto with White Truffle and enjoy this beautiful meal right at home.

Sweet Corn Risotto with White Truffle

(serves 2)

1c arborio rice (ideally aquarello brand)

3-4c vegetable stock

2-3tbl unsalted butter

1/2c fine grated parmesan (I prefer an aged parmesan like red cow or equivalent)

1c cut yellow sweet corn kernels

*1c sweet corn puree (recipe follows)

few drops white truffle oil

white truffle to taste

Directions:

Take a medium sauce pot and bring 1c veg stock to a simmer. Add arborio rice and stir to coat. Bring back to a simmer and lower heat to a light bubble. Slowly reduce stock, stir and then add more stock to cover. It will take about 3.5-4 additions of stock to cook risotto. The rice will be very al dente and and as it gets closer to finishing it will really start to open up and release its starch. When rice is tender stir in the corn kernals, butter and corn puree. Allow to melt and bind and then adjust the consistency with more stock as needed. Give the rice a taste and add the parmesan, then taste again and adjust with salt and a few drops of truffle oil. When ready take the Risotto to your plates and top with some additional shaved parmesan and few more drops of oil. Shave a generous amount of white truffle over the top.

*Corn Puree

2c yellow sweet corn kernels

1/2 shallot, sliced thin

1tbl unsalted butter

1c heavy cream

salt and pinch sugar to taste

Directions:

Heat a medium sauce pot over medium high heat and melt your butter. Add in the sliced shallot and allow to sweat for about 1-2 minutes. Add in the corn and stir to coat. Season with some salt, a small pinch of sugar and add the cream. Bring this to a boil and turn the heat down to a low simmer. Make sure to stir corn fairly regularly as mixture can stick and burn. When cream is reduced and thick place everything in a blender and blend on high speed to a very creamy consistency. Strain out corn mixture and set puree aside until ready to cook risotto.

What’s the Best Wine for Thanksgiving? Here Are 20 Great Options, According to a Wine Expert

Words: Christian Navarro (article from PureWow)

No matter how your family does Thanksgiving dinner, one thing’s for sure: You’ll need wine. Whether you’re eating, hosting or just trying to dodge your boring uncle, a glass of vino could come in handy. But choosing the perfect bottles to pair with your feast is tough, so we turned to Christian Navarro, “wine therapist to the stars” and president of Wally’s Wine & Spirits, for his expert recommendations. Here, the best wine for Thanksgiving from Riesling to Pinot Noir.

1. 2017 ALAIN GRAILLOT CROZES-HERMITAGE

“The French region of Crozes-Hermitage is a destination for world-class red wines made from Syrah grapes,” says Navarro. Wines from this region are famous for spicy, smoky flavors and Alain Graillot’s have just that. Think a red with the character of freshly cracked pepper, hickory smoke and fresh violets. Might we suggest pairing it with our spicy orange honey-glazed ham?

Wally's Price: $35

2. 2019 DÖNNHOFF RIESLING TROCKEN

If you think all Rieslings are sweet, think again. This dry number from Germany, which is home to some of the world's most distinct zesty, refreshing Rieslings, is the perfect introduction for any skeptic. Brace your taste buds for notes of lime, green apple and juicy apricot plus a dry, mineral finish. “The wine lends the right cut to sweet dishes like baked yams or bacon-wrapped dates,” says Navarro. Dry Riesling is also a great palate cleanser.

Wally's Price: $25

3. 2018 CLETO CHIARLI LAMBRUSCO DEL FONDATORE

Nothing will wash your famous slow-cooker turkey breast down like this fun, sparkling red from Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Lambrusco is a variety of grape that’s native to the region and can create dry, off-dry and sweet vinos. Swirl this one in your glass a few times to experience its full range of floral fragrances before taking a sip. On the tongue, it’ll be bright, dry, refreshing and pleasantly round.

Wally's Price: $20

4. 2016 CHATEAU ALCÉE

With an outstanding Wine Advocate score of 91, this Bordeaux vintage has a lot to be excited about. “Chateau Alcée is a blend of 92 percent Merlot and 8 percent Cabernet Franc from Cotes de Castillon,” says Navarro. This gives the wine a deep purple color and notes of blueberry compote, black tea and cherry brandy, along with hints of lavender and cigars. Navarro says it’s beautifully ripe and drinks deliciously after a few years of aging.

5. 2017 ROUTESTOCK PINOT NOIR SONOMA COAST

Want a bottle that’s going to deliver without having to empty your wallet? Meet your new BFF. Not only did Wine Spectator give it a score of 91, but they also ranked it one of the top 100 wines of 2019. And just because it’s a great deal doesn’t mean you’ll be sacrificing quality. Ripe notes of raspberry, currant and wild plum hold their own against medium tannins, hints of chocolate and mint and a spicy finish.

Wally's Price: $23

6. 2017 CHATEAU DU MOULIN A VENT COUVENT DES THORINS

Navarro describes this as, “a delicious Cru Beaujolais bursting with berry fruit.” If you’re trying to buy one single wine to accommodate your entire holiday table, this just might be your ideal pick. It’s made with thick-skinned grapes, which produce rich, luxurious wine with silky tannins. It’s also partially aged in oak barrels. You really can’t go wrong with a wine this easy-drinking and food-friendly.

Wally's Price: $29

7. 2015 VITICCIO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA

Wine experts have given their fair share of rave reviews for this Tuscany libation (Wine Spectator gave it a 95). Navarro is no exception: “This is an outstanding value and might be the greatest Sangiovese under $30.” Made with 90 percent Sangiovese grapes, this pick has an earthy profile with medium tannins, high acidity and lots of fruit like sour cherries and blackberries, like most Sangiovese. Its spicy undertones of cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper make it a great match for roast meat or a killer cheese board.

Wally's Price: $29

8. 2017 RAMEY RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY

According to Navarro, Ramey produces some of the best Chardonnays in all of Sonoma. He calls this vintage (and the rest from the winery) inspired, elegant and refined. It’s fruit-forward with savory-sweet notes of caramelized pineapple and honeycomb, plus some salty minerality. The palate is medium- to full-bodied and just the thing to wash down pumpkin soup or roasted nuts.

Wally's Price: $35

9. 2016 SCHRAMSBERG BLANC DE NOIRS

From what Navarro considers California’s greatest sparkling wine house, this rich, elegant bubbly is crafted from prime North Coast Pinot Noir grapes. Wine Enthusiast calls this selection fruity but crisp, bracing and effervescent with elegant notes of fresh apple and ginger. Pair it with soft cheese, nut-crusted fish or herby pork tenderloin (in case your family doesn’t do turkey).

Wally's Price: $36

10. 2019 RUMOR CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ

And you thought rosé season ended after Labor Day weekend. This dry, fresh selection works for all occasions as a crisp aperitif before a long, hearty meal. The pretty-in-pink pick hails from the Mediterranean coast of France and is flavorful with subtle notes of white peach, golden raspberry and crushed stones.

Wally's Price: $35

11. 2018 FELTON ROAD BANNOCKBURN PINOT NOIR

This New Zealand gem has one-of-a-kind brightness and flavor intensity. “Felton Road is one of the most respected names in Central Otago, where some of the country's best reds are made,” explains Navarro. Luscious notes of strawberry, rhubarb and black tea, along with herbaceous qualities and an expressive nutmeg finish are just the match for tender turkey and tangy cranberry sauce.

Wally's Price: $55

12. 2018 MARGERUM LIBERTINE SAUVIGNON BLANC

Happy Canyon is a wine region in Santa Barbara, California that’s home to hundreds of acres of vineyards. Happy Canyon fruit offers mineral qualities and zesty citrus notes to the finished product. The wine is well-suited to pair with pungent cheese, salads, rich holiday cuisine and even fruit desserts like apple pie, but Navarro says it also makes it a great aperitif.

Wally's Price: $24

13. 2018 SANS LIEGE COTES DU COAST WHITE

This beautifully designed bottle stars a White Rhone blend of 33 percent Viognier, 26 percent Roussanne, 22 percent Grenache Blanc, 11 percent Marsanne, and 8 percent Clairette. “[It’s] consistently one of the best values on the central coast, layered with rich fruits while possessing a fresh, clean finish,” says Navarro. It pairs wonderfully with shellfish, so maybe you’d like to start the evening with a timeless favorite: shrimp cocktail.

Wally's Price: $23

14. 2018 HILT CUVÉE FLEUR SANTA RITA HILLS PINOT NOIR

“This elegant cuvée is made from some of the best lots in the Santa Rita Hills," says Navarro. This California region’s grapes are exposed to coastal breezes and fog, which turns the grapes complex, fruity and acidic. Its bright fruit notes lead to savory ones, finishing with zippy acidity that’s crisp enough to cut through a turkey dinner.

Wally's Price: $45

15. 2017 EMPIRE ESTATE FINGER LAKES DRY RIESLING

This fresh, food-friendly Riesling can hold its own against everything on the Thanksgiving table from poultry to cheese. Get a whiff of jasmine, orange zest and fresh apricot before diving into a glass rich with notes of lime zest, young nectarine, tangerine and stone. Its juicy, fruity profile stands out against its astringent, bright qualities.

Wally's Price: $19

16. 2012 STOLPMAN VINEYARDS ANGELI SYRAH

Before you start sipping, take a moment to breathe in this top-end Syrah’s intoxicating, unique aromatic profile. Navarro describes it as, “violet perfume blending into blueberry syrup, anise and spearmint.” The flavors are bold without being overpowering, but still pack a memorable punch of espresso, dried berries and leather. Serve it alongside robust meats, like wintry pomegranate-maple glazed lamb chops.

Wally's Price: $50

17. 2016 BRETON BOURGUEIL CLOS SÉNÉCHAL

“Bourgueil wines are made from Cabernet Franc, and these aromatic, elegant reds are versatile treats to have at the dinner table,” says Navarro. “The Clos Sénéchal is a prized single vineyard whose wines radiate with rose petal, pomegranate, sage and tobacco notes.” Pair it with green bean casserole, beets or Brussels sprouts side dishes.

Wally's Price: $45

18. 2014 JONATA TODOS RED BLEND

This savory, chewy red blend is made up of seven grape varieties, mostly Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Navarro calls it, “expansive and focused,” and says it’s the perfect representation of the combined magic of Santa Barbara sun and Jonata sandy soils. Intense aromas of blackberries, blueberry pie and cassis with a peppery undercurrent preface a soft-bodied, elegant mouthfeel with a spicy finish.

Wally's Price: $50

19. 2017 RIDGE LYTTON SPRINGS 1.5L

With a 95 from The Tasting Panel and a 94 from Vinous Media, this iconic Zinfandel blend from Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley has a lot to live up to. The California beauty is bold with the scent and flavor of brambly fruit and earthy spices. It has notes of pepper and sage, plus a velvety mouthfeel bursting with raspberry. Pair it with sage-barley risotto with butternut squash.

Wally's Price: $100

20. PERRIER JOUET CHAMPAGNE GRAND BRUT

Who said you need to wait for New Year’s Eve to pop a bottle of bubbly with your relatives? Any festive holiday meal or celebration calls for Champagne, and Navarro says this one is super versatile and pairs with just about anything on your Thanksgiving table. It’s round, dry and fruit-forward with flavors of grapefruit and honey, as well as hints of graphite and mineral. Sip this with dessert like panna cotta, an apple tart or shortbread cookies.

Wally's Price: $50