Kirkland Signature RRV Chardonnay – Bingo!

Display of bottles of Kirkland Signature 2019 Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) Chardonnay at Costco

Fast Facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay,  Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($12.99 @Costco in California – Item #789895)   In her encyclopedic The Oxford Companion to Wine, author Jancis Robinson refers to Sonoma’s Russian River Valley as a “high quality California wine region and AVA west of Healdsburg along that portion of river that meanders through … Read moreKirkland Signature RRV Chardonnay – Bingo!

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!

Is Trader Joe’s Delicious Monster All That?

Bottle and glass of The Delicious Monster from McGregor Winery.

Fast facts: 2021 McGregor Winery, The Delicious Monster, South Africa ($5.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   Here is a fun fact that you might not know: in South Africa, the varietal Chenin Blanc is often called Steen. It is synonymous for Chenin Blanc.  Impress your friends! I bring this up because the Delicious Monster is a … Read moreIs Trader Joe’s Delicious Monster All That?

A Whole Lotta Sonoma Chardonnay Goodness – for Just $6.99?!

Costco store display of 2021 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay, Sonoma County, Califorinia - just $6.99

Fast facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California ($6.99 @ Costco, California – Item #514007) Rules are made for breaking, but here is one I tend to subscribe to: avoid wines labeled “merely” California.  I know it sounds like heresy, but hear me out. As a general rule, a wine that is not sub-appelated … Read moreA Whole Lotta Sonoma Chardonnay Goodness – for Just $6.99?!

A Crazy Good Chard, from a Crazy Good Place, at a Crazy Good TJ’s Price

Bottle and glass of 2020 Trader Joe's Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Chardonnay, Lot #231, Santa Lucia Highlands, California  ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Don’t look now but we are on a slippery slope towards Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer.  Nooooooo!!!! Heck, Costco is already putting out Christmas decorations.  But we will talk about Costco in future posts.  … Read moreA Crazy Good Chard, from a Crazy Good Place, at a Crazy Good TJ’s Price

Bargain White Burgundy from Trader Joe’s?!

Bottle and glass of Macon-Verze 2020 Chardonnay from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2020 Chardonnay, Esprit des Lieux Mâcon-Verzé, Mâconnais,France ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Usually  when you are buying a bottle of French Chardonnay and it says Vin de Bourgone on the label, you would be paying more than $10. A lot more. After all, white Burgundy is one of the most sought after … Read moreBargain White Burgundy from Trader Joe’s?!

Attention Chardonnay Lovers!

Bottle and glass of 2017 Bouchaine Chardonnay and Carpe Diem Chadonnary

Fast Facts: 2018 Carpe Diem Chardonnay, Anderson Valley, Sonoma, California ($15.99 @Costco in California – Item #980701) 2017 Bouchain Estate Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($17.99* @Costco in California – Item #60020) *price after $10 in store discount, as show below!     Two Chardonnays with similar price points, but slightly different styles meant we … Read moreAttention Chardonnay Lovers!

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

Costco has a great 90 point Chardonnay – for under $10

Costco bin display of Laguna 2017 Russian River Chardonnay

Fast Facts: 2017 Laguna Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA  ($9.99* @Costco in California – Item #575261)                                              * net price after $10 discount at store.   Almost exactly a year ago we … Read moreCostco has a great 90 point Chardonnay – for under $10

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