Category: Chief Winehound
-
Trader Joe’s vs. Costco in a $6.99 Argentine Malbec Face Off
Fast facts: 2017 Amancay Winery, Reserva Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2017 Kirkland Signature Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($6.99 @Costco, California) Normally, we only review wines we like and are prepared to recommend you buy. But every now and them we find two wines that are begging to be compared –…
-
-
At $6.99 Costco Makes it Easy to Get to Know Rioja
“Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva is an elegant wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes grown in the region of Rioja. Aged 36 months in oak barrels prior to release, this ruby-colored wine has intense, spicy aromas with a hint of licorice. Vanilla flavors on the palate leave a pleasant lingering, well-balanced finish.”
-
Everything is Coming Up Rosés at Costco
Fast facts: 2017 Seaglass Monterey County Rosé ($7.99 @Costco; California) 2017 Benziger Winery North Coast Rosé ($9.99@Costco; California) We are enjoying a short spell of early summer-like weather (temps in the mid 80s) here in SoCal, so last night my wife and I sat poolside and put these two wines to the test to see which one…
-
Fire up the BBQ and pull the cork on this Syrah from Trader Joe’s
Syrah and barbecue. They got a thing…going on. (Or they should.) Fast facts: 2017 Trader Joe’s Reserve Lot 100, Paso Robles, CA ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s; California) Despite being the world’s sixth most planted grape variety, Syrah remains a bit of a mystery to American wine consumers. Once thought to be heir to the throne that…
-
Costco has your wine for the apocalypse – under $10!
It’s hard to not notice the apocalyptic art on this bottle. But don’t let that scare you away. Fast facts: 2016 Rabble Red Wine, Paso Robles, CA ($9.89 @Costco; California – Item # 922592) I’ve seen this wine elsewhere for $17. So the current Costco price of $9.89 is that much more appealing. That at…
-
Vive la différence – a white wine from the wild side of Trader Joe’s
Vouvray is an important appellation in the Touraine district of the Loire Valley. Fast facts: 2017 Vignobles Lacheteau, Vouvray, France $7.99 (@Trader Joe’s, California) Vouvray is an important appellation in the Touraine district of the Loire Valley. What makes it especially unique is that virtually all of its wines are made from a single white wine…
-
Costco knocks it out of the park – again -with this $6.49 red wine gem
Fast facts: 2013 Adega Vila Real Reserva, Douro, Portugal $6.49 (@Costco; California) First, just let me say that Costco has been on a roll lately. I find that both Trader Joe’s and Costco tend to “run hot and cold” in the wine deals and steals department, but of late Costco has had some serious game when…
-
Welcome Spring with a $7.99 White Wine Steal from Costco
A Wine Spectator 90 point wine, for $7.99?! Fast facts: 2017 Terra Santa, Ile de Beaute, Corsica, France ($7.99 @Costco; California) Happy Spring! The calendar assures us that winter is over. Sure enough, the sunlight is warmer here in the northern hemisphere and each day we get a little more. The vineyards have started to wake…
-
Two Costco Italian Wines for Pizza and Pasta Pairing
Fast facts: 2014 Monte Antico Rosso ($8.89 @Costco; California) 2015 Basilica Cafaggio Chianti Classico ($9.79@Costco; California) Ever been asked: “if you had to choose one cuisine to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?” When I am asked, I don’t hesitate in proclaiming that my choice would be Italian food.…