A Perennial Favorite from Costco – More French Lessons

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Gigondas, France ($13.99 @Costco in California – Item #11341020)   One of the nice things about Costco’s line of Kirkland Signature wines is not just their incredible QPR, but also their relative price stability in this era where most prices keep ratcheting higher. We have been mining a French wine … Read moreA Perennial Favorite from Costco – More French Lessons

It’s Back, the High QPR KS CdP from Costco – with a Pope angle, no less!

Store display of the 2021 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($19.69 @ Costco, California – Item #777662)

Fast facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($19.69 @ Costco, California – Item #777662)   Among the “old world” offerings bottled under the Kirkland Signature name, this CdP is one of our perennial favorites. It has been around for over a decade, and is consistently good. It is a rare thing to find CdP wines for … Read moreIt’s Back, the High QPR KS CdP from Costco – with a Pope angle, no less!

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

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

Gee, Gigondas! That’s French for High QPR!

Bottle and glass of Kirkland Signature 2019 Gigondas, Gigondas, France (Item #1134102) $14.99 at Costco, California

Fast facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Gigondas,  Gigondas, France ($14.99 @ Costco, California – Item # 1134102)   I am blaming the warping of time on Covid, but when I recently spied this in my local Costco my first thought was: “didn’t we just review the 2018 vintage?” The answer was no, we reviewed it some … Read moreGee, Gigondas! That’s French for High QPR!

Two Red Wines from Costco, and the Opposite Ends of the Rhone Price Spectrum

Bottle of 2019 Kirkland Signature Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France and 2020 Kirkland Signature Côtes Du Rhône Villages

Fast Facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France ($22.99 @Costco in California – Item #777662) 2020 Kirkland Signature Côtes Du Rhône Villages ($6.99 @Costco in California – Item #887774)   And, just like that, we find ourselves on the other side of the Thanksgiving holiday and on the slippery slide down towards the December holidays and … Read moreTwo Red Wines from Costco, and the Opposite Ends of the Rhone Price Spectrum

All You Need is Love – a groovy Costco wine that is perfect for BBQ

Bin display of McClean Vineyards Love red wine blend at Costco

Fast Facts: 2019 McClean Vineyards, Love Red Blend, Paso Robles, California  ($11.49 @Costco in California – Item #1528847)   So I admit that it was the “packaging” that stopped me in my tracks for this wine. I am so shallow sometimes.  In lieu of a traditional paper label, this wine comes in a gorgeous silk-screened … Read moreAll You Need is Love – a groovy Costco wine that is perfect for BBQ

Wow. A Whole Lotta Vino Bang for $4.99 at Trader Joe’s

Bottles and glasses of Taymor Chardonnay (left) and Tenebres GSM - both from Trader Joe's, and both $4.99

Fast facts: 2019 Tenebres GSM, Languedoc, France ($4.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2019 Taymor Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($4.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) You long time readers of this blog (thank you!) know how much we love to find great wines that limbo in under the $10 price point. There are a surprising number … Read moreWow. A Whole Lotta Vino Bang for $4.99 at Trader Joe’s

Kirkland Signature Gigondas. It Only Sounds Expensive.

Bottle and glass of Kirkland Signature Gigondas 2018 before an open fire.

Fast Facts: 2018 Kirkland Signature Gigondas, France ($14.99 @Costco in California – Item #11341020)   This blend (Grenache 85%, Syrah 10% and Mourvedre 5%) is crafted from the fruit of old vines grown in the Grand Cru appellation of Gigondas, on some of its highest limestone vineyards in the Southern Rhone Valley. A GSM, it’s a … Read moreKirkland Signature Gigondas. It Only Sounds Expensive.

Three from Costco for this Thirsty Thursday – All Way Under $10!

Three Thirsty Thursday bottles of featured wines from Costco - all under $10!

Fast facts: 2018 Santa Rita Secret Reserve Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley, Chile $5.99* (@Costco, California, Item# 1154159) 2019 Kirkland Signature Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina $6.99 (@Costco, California, Item# 1239144) 2019 Kirkland Signature Côtes du Rhône Villages, Rhône Valley, France  $6.99 (@Costco; California – Item #: 887774) *net price after $5 in store discount If you’re like us, … Read moreThree from Costco for this Thirsty Thursday – All Way Under $10!