“Red blend” is a label designation for a red wine that contains more than one grape variety in the final blend. These wines can be made following well-loved traditional formulas, such as the Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, but this category contains a wide range of combinations.
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
Fast facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA ($10.99 @ Costco, California – Item #333110) Ever heard of a “brand refresh?” It’s a term I heard regularly in my three decades – and counting – in the wine trade. It basically refers to a “facelift” when an existing wine brand gets a … Read moreIs This the Best $11 Red Wine in America?
Fast facts: 2019 Rabble Red Wine, Paso Robles, CA ($9.89* @Costco; California – Item # 922592) *price after $3 discount. Here is one we have reviewed before. It is the closest thing to a perennial feature in the Costco wine selection that you will find. But it is difficult to argue that it doesn’t deserve … Read moreGood Luck Telling this Rabble to be Quiet
Fast facts: 2018 Santa Rita Secret Reserve Red Blend, Maipo Valley, Chile ($10.99 @ Costco, California – Item #623337) While technically a new world blend, I would have pegged this red wine (a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 15% Carignan and 10% Grenache) as an old world wine, possibly French if tasted … Read moreThe Secret’s Out About these Great Chilean Wines from Costco
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!
Fast facts: 2019 Ile de Conas Rouge Soupplesse, Pays d’Oc, France ($7.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) You could go down a rabbit hole learning about “dried grape wines” which have literally been around since antiquity, but we hope to spare you from needing to do so. That is, unless you are itching to! … Read moreA Delightful French Wine, Which Borrows from Italian Winemaking Traditions
Fast facts: 2018 Kirkland Signature Toscana IGT, Italy ($14.99 @ Costco, California – Item #1181768) Wine runs deep in Tuscany, aka, Toscana. Like the art of the Renaissance, it is tightly woven into the cultural identity of this central Italian region. Agriculture forms the roots of the Tuscan lifestyle, and “the big three” – … Read moreLiterally Super – a Tuscan Red Blend from Costco
Fast Facts: 2018 Simi Winery, Red Wine Blend, Sonoma County, California ($9.99* @Costco in California – Item #1487627) 2018 Hook or Crook Cellars, Field Blend, Lodi, California ($5.79* @Costco in California – Item #1529759) We love the in-store discounts that Costco is known for. Here are two wines that would be good values before … Read moreDualing Red Blends from Costco – Both Under $10 if You Act Fast
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
Fast facts: 2018 Kirkland Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California $23.99 (@Costco, California, Item# 505081) 2018 Kirkland Signature Red Blend, Napa Valley, California $10.99 (@Costco, California, Item# 333110) I am not a big fan of the wine app Vivino. The reason? I don’t really trust it. Anyone can post, and … Read moreTwo Napa Red Gems from Costco – the Wine Equivalents of an Autumn Sweater