Fast Facts: 2022 Cabernet Franc, Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve, Paso Robles, California ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s in California) …and let’s be frank: you just don’t see many bottlings of straight up Cabernet Franc – unless you are standing in a Winery Tasting Room. Cab Sauv? Sure. Cab Franc. Not so much… So that is what … Read moreTrader Joe’s Sez: “Let’s Be Franc”
Fast Facts: 2021 Pinot Noir, Trader Joe’s Reserve Lot #241, Santa Barbara County, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s in California) Pinot Noir has a problem. It’s being loved to death. Its precise rank varies by which list you consult, but it remains securely in the top 5 of all wine grapes, and second only to … Read moreThink You Can’t Find High QPR Pinot Noir Under $10? Think again…
Fast Facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Prosecco Rosé, Veneto, Italy ($7.99 @Costco in California – Item #1521870) We spill no small amount of “ink” talking about the “old world” rules and regs when it comes to wine and how they are generally more restrictive than in the US and the new world. Think of it as … Read moreRosé + Prosecco = Summer Genius!
Fast Facts: 2021 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel, Contra Costa County, California ($13.99 @Trader Joe’s in California) Today’s online edition of Decanter reported that veraison (that celebrated harbinger of harvest when wine grapes begin to blush and change color) has begun in the vineyards of northern California. They talked with winemakers from Napa, from Sonoma – … Read moreIf You Love BBQ, Get to Know this Grape, and this Wine
Fast facts: 2016 Gaudio Reserva Red Blend, Alentejo, Portugal ($8.79 @Costco; California – Product #1756471) I have to admit that a big reason I reached for this wine is that my wife and I visited this region (south of Lisbon, north of the stunning Algarve) this past Spring. Oh, then there is the matter … Read more93 Points for Under $10? Thanks, Costco!
Fast facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Toscana IGT, Italy ($13.99 @Costco; California – Product #1181768) Tuscany is arguably the most important region in central Italy, where it is known as Toscana. Our reviews of this “Super Tuscan” wine date back to the 2016 vintage. Somewhat incredibly, it was $13.99 then too. Although the price … Read moreSuper Tasty, Super High QPR from this Super Tuscan
Fast Facts: 2019 Vallobera Crianza, Rioja, Spain ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s in California) Rioja is one Spain’s most famous wine regions and is one of only two regions classified under the Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) system. Its two most important red grapes are Tempranillo and Garnacha. This particular wine is 100% Tempranillo, one of … Read moreA Delicious Summer Weight Spanish Red Wine – Just $9.99 at TJs
Fast Facts: 2022 Lucien Raimbault Pineau Exception, Sancerre, France ($16.99 @Costco in California – Item #1749206) I’m feeling a bit like the forlorn Jack in a Box on the Island of Misfit Toys as it wails: “we might as well go to bed” when it believes that Santa isn’t coming for them. But then … Read moreCostco’s Substitute Sancerre is a Nice Surprise
Fast facts: 2021 Altosur Malbec, Uco Valley, Argentina ($8.89 @ Costco, California – Item #1448051) 97 points and less than $10? Yep, we can quarrel about whether the 97 points is warranted, but suffice it to say that the 2021 Altosur Malbec is certainly worthy of great praise. Awarded Best in Show for Value … Read more97 Point Malbec for Under $10? What is this Sorcery Costco?!
Fast facts: 2022 Amuse Bouche, Pétillant Naturel, Sparkling White Wine, France ($11.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) Sometimes it seems like there is very little new in the wine market. Then something like this comes along. But it’s actually not very new, after all. Read on… Let’s assume you have never even heard of a Pét-nat … Read morePet Nat Wines are Having a Moment – Wait, What?