planning on bringing back several bottles of wine and whatever else I find delicious in Europe. in the past i have carried bottles in my carry-on bag. would it be safe to pack them in a checked bag? could bottles of wine/beer/spirits hold up in unpressurized cargo hold?

Not sure about beer nor sparking wine, but table wine ships fine. You may get lots of scrutiny if you check cases of wine.
M

I've done both successfully many times without mishap. And have also had no problems checking full cases (we once brough back two).

Note that cargo holds are pressurized the same as the rest of the plane so there's no problem with those issues. Rough handling is the only potential difficulty.

You can purchases cartons with styrofoam cylinders from most wineries and wine shops. That way you can check a case of wine with your checked baggage. Also, carry-on cartons of 3-4 are available, plus I carry 3-4 in my backpack and Mrs. Budman carries a few (if I sweet talk her) in her "Barney Bag."

We brought 6 bottles from France in a backpack that we used as a carry on. Had no problems, but it was heavy.