Fun Bubbles and $5!? Thanks, Trader Joe’s!

Glass and bottle of the 2019 Pop Up Sparkling, 100% Chardonnay, Evergreen Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington

Fast facts: 2019 Pop Up Sparkling, 100% Chardonnay, Evergreen Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington ($4.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)     This one was hard to pass by in a recent visit to Trader Joe’s. First there was the packaging. Striking, colorful and dare we say, adorable? From the crown cap on down? It reminded us of … Read moreFun Bubbles and $5!? Thanks, Trader Joe’s!

A Great PNW Cab from Costco – K?

Glass and bottle of 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington ($13.99 @Costco, California – Item #1462908)   You’d be forgiven for thinking that virtually all of the wine produced in the United States is produced in California. Because 86% of it is. In distant second and third places are Washington state … Read moreA Great PNW Cab from Costco – K?

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

TJs has a Perfect Pair of White Wines to Pair with Traditional Thanksgiving Fare

2019 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurtztraminer, Columbia Valley, Washington ($7.99 @Trader Joe's, California) 2020 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier,  Napa, California ($11.99 @Trader Joe's, California)

Fast facts: 2019 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurtztraminer, Columbia Valley, Washington ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2020 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier,  Napa, California ($11.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   Trader Joe’s has a pair of perfect Thanksgiving white wines. Neither will break the bank and both are delicious. For starters, let’s address the qualifier in the … Read moreTJs has a Perfect Pair of White Wines to Pair with Traditional Thanksgiving Fare

A Screaming Good Merlot Deal from Costco, Dissected

Bottle and glass of 2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA - $8.69 at Costco

Fast facts: 2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA ($8.69* @ Costco, California – Item #160933) *net price after $4.00 in store discount   Here is the news that those of us in the wine business woke to on July 12 of this year:  “Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the largest winery in the Pacific … Read moreA Screaming Good Merlot Deal from Costco, Dissected

A Trio of Tasty Trader Joe’s Wines for Your Labor Day Soiree

A trio of tastiness from Trader Joe's, just in time for your Labor Day celebrations.

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve  Rosé ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2018  Trader Joe’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   There’s a scene in the movie The Jerk, starring Steve Martin as..well, … Read moreA Trio of Tasty Trader Joe’s Wines for Your Labor Day Soiree

The Two Most Popular Wine Varieties in the US – via Costco

Glasses and bottles of Kirkland Signature 2019 Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) Chardonnay and Kirkland Signature 2019 Columbia Valley (Washington State) Cabernet Sauvignon

Fast Facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington ($8.99 @Costco in California – Item #1226845) 2019 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay,  Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($12.99 @Costco in California – Item #789895)   What were the two most popular wine varieties sold in the US in 2020?  That’s easy.  Cabernet Sauvignon and – not far … Read moreThe Two Most Popular Wine Varieties in the US – via Costco

There’s a new K in town at Costco – think pink wine

Bottle and glass of Kirkland Signature K Vine 2020 rose wine from Costco

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Rosé of Syrah, Buckshot Vineyard, Washington State, USA  ($9.99 @Costco in California – Item #1462888)    At last, Costco’s much-hyped, highly anticipated K Vine series are arriving in stores.  The first one to land in my local Costco is this lovely rosé.  Created in collaboration with the “rock … Read moreThere’s a new K in town at Costco – think pink wine

A Delicious 94 point Syrah – $9.99 at Costco!

Photo of the Costco display for the 2017 Syrah called The Pundit from Tenet Wines

Fast Facts: 2017 Tenet Wines The Pundit Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington ($9.99* @Costco in California – Item #1209292) *net price after $6 in store discount   Like so many of our wine finds, this one really jumped out as a wine with good prospects.  It was case stacked on the end aisle at my local … Read moreA Delicious 94 point Syrah – $9.99 at Costco!

A Perfect Wine Pair from the Pacific Northwest – Both Under $10 at Costco!

Bottle and glass of King Estate Pinot Gris 2018 and Columbia Crest 2016b Red Blend, both from Costco

Fast facts: 2018 King Estate Pinot Gris,  Willamette Valley, Oregon $9.99*(@Costco, California, Item# 232249) 2016 Columbia Crest H3 Red Blend, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington  $6.99*(@Costco, California, Item# 661918) *net prices after $5 (King Estate) and $2 (Columbia Crest) discounts at register. Happy Thirsty Thursday! For all the many negatives about 2020 and the Covid Era, … Read moreA Perfect Wine Pair from the Pacific Northwest – Both Under $10 at Costco!