A $7.99 Mouthful of Red Wine Goodness – Perfect for Late Summer Grilling!

Bottle and glass of the 2019 Casa Ermelinda Freitas Vinhas da Fonte Peninsula de Setubal from Portugal

Fast facts: 2019 Casa Ermelinda Freitas Vinhas da Fonte Reserva, Peninsula de Setúbal, Portugal  ($7.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Anyone who has spent much time in the European Union in the past several decades can appreciate the vastly improved infrastructure of member countries. But beyond the the more conspicuous investment in bridges, tunnels and … Read moreA $7.99 Mouthful of Red Wine Goodness – Perfect for Late Summer Grilling!

A Crazy Good Chard, from a Crazy Good Place, at a Crazy Good TJ’s Price

Bottle and glass of 2020 Trader Joe's Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Chardonnay, Lot #231, Santa Lucia Highlands, California  ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Don’t look now but we are on a slippery slope towards Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer.  Nooooooo!!!! Heck, Costco is already putting out Christmas decorations.  But we will talk about Costco in future posts.  … Read moreA Crazy Good Chard, from a Crazy Good Place, at a Crazy Good TJ’s Price

A Great PNW Cab from Costco – K?

Glass and bottle of 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington ($13.99 @Costco, California – Item #1462908)   You’d be forgiven for thinking that virtually all of the wine produced in the United States is produced in California. Because 86% of it is. In distant second and third places are Washington state … Read moreA Great PNW Cab from Costco – K?

A Cool Trader Joe’s “Porch Pounder” with a Tiny Price

Trader Joe's store display of Espiral Vinho Verde

Fast facts: Espiral Vinho Verde, Minho, Portugal  ($4.49@Trader Joe’s,  California)     “Porch pounder” is a term used in the wine trade to refer to a wine that is easy drinking, relatively inexpensive, and simple.  I don’t mean “simple” as a derogatory term, but rather a wine that does not inspire deep thought, reflection and … Read moreA Cool Trader Joe’s “Porch Pounder” with a Tiny Price

Costco KS Sangria – An Inflation-Fighting Super Hero!

Photo of bottle of Kirkland Signature Sangria, a can of San Pellegrino Blood Orange Soda and a glass with the two combined.

  Fast facts: Kirkland Signature Classic Red Sangria, Vino de España, Spain (Product #1025679) $6.99 @ Costco, California     This bonus sized bottle of Kirkland Signature Spanish Sangria (still just $6.99 for a double bottle!) is everything you need to chill with this summer. Well, almost everything… I’m a big fan of Sangria when … Read moreCostco KS Sangria – An Inflation-Fighting Super Hero!

The Latest in our BBQ Wines Series

Front label of 2017 Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Shiraz, Lot #109, Barossa, Australia

Fast facts: 2017 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Shiraz, Lot 109, Barossa, Australia ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   This is a wine that implores you to “throw another STEAK on the “bar-bee” to paraphrase the “critically-acclaimed” film Crocodile Dundee… Australia’s most popular grape varietal, Shiraz is full-bodied with high alcohol (although this bottling clocks in at … Read moreThe Latest in our BBQ Wines Series

Our Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Costco Wines

Photo of front of a Costco store

  Going shopping for wine at your local Costco?  Well take along this list of the 13 most recent posts that included wines from Costco. In this “case” think of it as your lucky 13! Click on any of the links below for item numbers, tasting notes – and more!     2020 Kirkland Signature … Read moreOur Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Costco Wines

Our Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Wines from Trader Joe’s

Front of a Trader Joe's store.

  Going shopping for wine at your local Trader Joe’s?  Well take along this list of the 13 most recent posts that included wines from TJ’s. In this “case” think of it as your lucky 13! All prices shown are based on those in California.  Click on any of the links below for tasting notes … Read moreOur Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Wines from Trader Joe’s

Good Luck Telling this Rabble to be Quiet

Fast facts: 2019 Rabble Red Wine, Paso Robles, CA  ($9.89* @Costco; California – Item # 922592) *price after $3 discount. Here is one we have reviewed before. It is the closest thing to a perennial feature in the Costco wine selection that you will find.  But it is difficult to argue that it doesn’t deserve … Read moreGood Luck Telling this Rabble to be Quiet

Put a Little (Aperol) Spritz in your Step

Trader Joe's store display of 2020 Cecilia Beretta Prosecco Rosé

Fast facts: 2020 Cecilia Beretta Prosecco Rosé ($10.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   Seems like summer has arrived with a vengeance, and it is time for sipping poolside, lakeside or seaside.  However you stay cool is cool with us. Prosecco might help… Prosecco is a deliciously dry sparkling wine with crisp acidity, low sugar and plenty … Read morePut a Little (Aperol) Spritz in your Step