I had the opportunity to pour wine at the Piggly Wiggly in Fairhope, Alabama — yes, you heard that correctly. Wine tasting. At the Pig.
If that doesn’t say “Life is full of surprises,” I don’t know what does.
Now, if you’re not familiar with Fairhope, you might think I was somewhere deep in the land of “middle of nowhere.” But no — Fairhope is a charming coastal town with boutique shopping, great restaurants, actual nature, and sunsets over Mobile Bay so stunning you’ll start reconsidering your life choices. It’s a whole vibe.
BTW, Piggly Wiggly is a wonderful grocery store chain down south.
This tasting was very last-minute — so I had no idea what I’d be pouring until I arrived. (Picture me walking in like, “Please let this not be boxed sangria.”)
But then the wine gods smiled on me:
I was pouring The Hess Collection Lion Tamer Red Blend from Napa Valley.
Cue celestial choir.
This wine is a gorgeous little symphony of grapes:
- 60% Malbec (the star of the show)
- 15% Zinfandel (the spicy friend)
- 15% Petite Sirah (the brooding poet)
- 6% Cabernet Sauvignon (classic & dependable)
- 4% Petit Verdot (the intense cousin who shows up late but makes an impression)
It’s rich, smooth, and layered with black cherry, currant, blueberry, a touch of tobacco, and a whisper of baking spice — like fall sweaters and candlelight in a glass. The tannins? Silky.
Malbec leads the blend beautifully, giving structure while keeping everything plush and friendly — hence the name “Lion Tamer.”
If you like bold, balanced reds that feel like a warm hug but still know how to hold a conversation — this is your wine.
Thanksgiving wine? Yes.
Hostess gift? Yes.
“I deserve something nice because life is wild sometimes?” Also, yes.
Cheers to unexpected moments and really good wine — even at the Pig!