French Fizz is Back at TJs!

Bottles of 2021 J.L. Quinson Le Rosé French Fizz and 2021 J.L. Quinson Le Blanc French Fizz

Fast facts: 2021 J.L. Quinson Le Rosé French Fizz, France ($6.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) 2021 J.L. Quinson Le Blanc French Fizz, France ($6.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   These wines were really popular when we first reviewed them in May of last year.  And they sold out pretty fast. Now they are back, earlier in … Read moreFrench Fizz is Back at TJs!

Bingo! Wine Stalking Pays Off at TJ’s

Front label of the 2020 Les Sommets Liès Corbières, France - a mere $6.99 @Trader Joe’s

Fast facts: 2020 Les Sommets Liès Corbières, France ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   During a recent visit to my local Trader Joe’s, I overheard an employee enthusiastically recommending this wine.  She was telling a customer that it was “everyone’s favorite” among store employees.  Needless to say, my curiosity was piqued.  So when she was free … Read moreBingo! Wine Stalking Pays Off at TJ’s

TJ’s $9.99 Fun-Size Legit Champagne Will Have you “Drinking Stars” – or Maybe Just Seeing Them!

Glass and bottle of Ernest Rapeneau Champagne Brut ($9.99@Trader Joe's, California) alongside a 750ml standard bottle of Dom Perignon for perspective.

NV Ernest Rapeneau Champagne Brut, Epernay, France ($9.99@Trader Joe’s, California)   We celebrated the solstice yesterday by popping the cap on this bottle. We are in the home stretch of 2022 people, and this bottle (or bottles!) would be good to have in your fridge for several reasons. If you’re like us, there are holiday … Read moreTJ’s $9.99 Fun-Size Legit Champagne Will Have you “Drinking Stars” – or Maybe Just Seeing Them!

Bargain Champagne?!

Front label of the Kirkland Signature Champagne Brut.

Fast facts: NV Kirkland Signature Champagne Brut ($19.99@Costco, California – Item #942108)   This is our second wine in our December series on sparkling wines. This particular wine also has the distinction of being the very first one reviewed on this site, back in 2018.  A lot has changed in the world since then, but … Read moreBargain Champagne?!

Goats do Roam…

Store display of 2021 Richebois Côtes du Rhône Village, France ($7.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)

Fast facts: 2021 Richebois Côtes du Rhône Village, France ($7.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Coat do roan villahj. (That is how it’s pronounced.) While you’d be forgiven for thinking that wines labeled simply Côtes du Rhône are synonymous with Côtes du Rhône Village, there is actually a distinct step up in quality in the latter.  … Read moreGoats do Roam…

GSM-G= This Tasty 90 Point Wine from Costco!

Costco store display for the 2018 Gerard Bertrand Saint Chinian Heritage An 1877, 90 Parker Points for just $9.99

Fast facts: 2018 Gerard Bertrand Saint Chinian Heritage An 1877, Languedoc, France ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #661141) We have highlighted a number of Grenache, Syrah Mourvedre (GSM) blends here on these pages.  This particular bottling is just missing Grenache in the cuvee.  But it is no less delcious. To paraphrase George Orwell’s book … Read moreGSM-G= This Tasty 90 Point Wine from Costco!

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

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

Costco has the Wine to Kick Off Rosé Season – Now 1/3rd Off!

Bottle and glass of 2020 Le Charmel Cotes de Provence Rosé

Fast facts: 2020 Le Charmel Cotes de Provence Rosé, France ($6.89* @ Costco, California – Item #1401944) *price after $3 discount   NEWS FLASH: This has become our favorite pink wine, so it was a nice surprise to find it at Costco discounted by $3 – making a really good value a super, duper high … Read moreCostco has the Wine to Kick Off Rosé Season – Now 1/3rd Off!

A Whole Lot of Red Wine Goodness for $5.99 from Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe's store display of 2019 The Originals Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington

Fast facts: 2019 Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington ($5.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Before we start waxing about the grape, the vinification, the history…let’s say this: this is a great bottle of wine for $5.99!     I entered the wine business – at least as a professional, hehe – in the early nineties.  It … Read moreA Whole Lot of Red Wine Goodness for $5.99 from Trader Joe’s