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

PinotRama Too

Store display of the 2020 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California.

Fast facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #505074)   In last week’s post, titled Pinotrama! we reviewed a Trader Joe’s Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir.  And in said post, we promised a follow up with another $9.99 Pinot Noir – this time from Costco.  Here … Read morePinotRama Too

Pinotrama!

Store display of 2020 Trader Joe's Reserve Pinot Noir Lot #229, Santa Rita Hills

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Pinot Noir Lot #229, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   When not obsessing on finding crazy good wine values to feature here, I am doing deep dives into the music of rock and power pop.  If you are similarly afflicted, you may … Read morePinotrama!

A Costco CabSauv that Checks All the Boxes – Well, Almost All

Bottle of the 2019 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Suscol Vineyard, Napa Valley, California, decanted.

Fast Facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Suscol Vineyard, Napa Valley, California ($16.99 @Costco in California – Item #1491800)   The march of Kirkland Signature wines continues unabated.  The flood gates have opened and we are not complaining.  This is one of our favorites and we were delighted to see this just show up in … Read moreA Costco CabSauv that Checks All the Boxes – Well, Almost All

High QPR in a CdP from Costco

Bottle and glass of 2020 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Fast facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($19.99 @ Costco, California – Item #777662)   Here is yet another import carrying the Kirkland Signature label that suggests the log jam in the supply chain has eased some, for now.  If it seems like we only recently reviewed the 2019 vintage of this wine, you would be … Read moreHigh QPR in a CdP from Costco

Bargain Barolo from Costco

Front label of Kirkland Signature 2017 Barolo

Fast facts: 2017 Kirkland Signature Barolo, Italy ($19.99 @ Costco, California – Item #1355183)   Most of us have been asked the question: “if you could only eat one country’s food for the rest of your life, which would it be?”  I never hesitate to quickly answer: “Italian!”  And the same goes for the wines … Read moreBargain Barolo from Costco

Costco Wine Shoppers, Our Ship Has Come In

Bottle and cup of Kirkland Signature 2020 Sancerre

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Sancerre, Loire Valley, France ($14.99 @Costco in California – Item #1476058)   We have commented on the shrinking wine set (especially imports) at Costco in recent posts.  Ditto for Trader Joe’s. Well the dam may have broken, and our ship has clearly come in because a recent visit to my … Read moreCostco Wine Shoppers, Our Ship Has Come In

Yummy Paso Cab – Just $9.99 at Trader Joe’s

Glass and bottle of 2019 Familia Nueva Vineyards Liberte Cabernet Sauvignon

Fast facts: 2019 Familia Nueva Vineyards Liberté Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   This post was supposed to be a dual between two Cabernet Sauvignons from Paso Robles.  Both are from Trader Joe’s. Both were $9.99.  It was a match made in vino heaven. Only one problem: the other wine … Read moreYummy Paso Cab – Just $9.99 at Trader Joe’s

A Great Spring Wine has Sprung at Costco

Display of 2019 Casal di Serra Verdicchio at Costco

Fast facts: 2019 Umani Ronchi, Casal di Serra, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Italy ($11.99 @ Costco, California – Item #1148623)   We talk frequently about the things to look for when choosing a wine. We often cite “the right grape, from the right place.”  We could add to that list: the right importer. I have … Read moreA Great Spring Wine has Sprung at Costco

Trader Joe’s has Good Sake for Goodness’ Sake

Bottle and glass of Sho Chiku Bai Sake from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: Sho Chiku Bai Sake, Berkeley, Californa ($3.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   How good is the QPR on this (rice) wine? Well, a local high-end supermarket (which shall remain nameless) sells it for twice the price.  It’s less than a mile away from our local Trader Joe’s, so yeah, it is worth the … Read moreTrader Joe’s has Good Sake for Goodness’ Sake