Fast facts: Espiral Vinho Verde, Minho, Portugal ($4.49@Trader Joe’s, California) “Porch pounder” is a term used in the wine trade to refer to a wine that is easy drinking, relatively inexpensive, and simple. I don’t mean “simple” as a derogatory term, but rather a wine that does not inspire deep thought, reflection and … Read moreA Tiny Porch Pounder from Trader Joe’s – with a tiny price.
Fast facts: 2015 La Gitana Gold, Reserva, Rioja, Spain $11.99 (@Costco, California, Item# 1362093) 2015 Kirkland Signature, Reserva, Rioja, Spain $7.99 (@Costco, California, Item#917056) Americans tend to be less familiar with Rioja than European wine drinkers. No surprise there. It is arguably Spain’s top wine region and their wines are stratified into three designations, Reservas … Read moreTwo Spaniards Duke it Out in the Wine Section at Costco!
Fast facts: 2018 Riddle Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, California ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) Tasting Notes: Nose of red raspberries and strawberries. Has flavors of sasparilla, cola, black plum, vanilla and a pleasant earthiness. Really well balanced with a some nice lingering tartness on the finish. Would pair really well with mushroom dishes and grilled … Read moreRiddle me this: how does Trader Joe’s sell a Pinot Noir this good for $6.99?
Fast facts: 2018 Erath Winery Rosé of Pinot Noir, Oregon $7.99* (@Costco; California, Item# 1235641) *price after $3 discount 2018 Hess Select Sauvigon Blanc, North Coast, California $8.99 (@Costco; California, Item #297592) It’s hot everywhere in the U.S. Summer will do that. July calls for wine that is white or pink and well-chilled if … Read moreCostco Delivers! Two 90+ Point Wines – both Under $10. Refreshing!
Fast facts: 2019 Oxte The Silence, Red Wine Blend, Cariñena, Spain ($5.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) Let’s start with the most important part: this is an remarkably polished and elegant wine, especially considering its price. It is comprised of 40% Tempranillo, 25% Syrah, 25% Garnacha (aka Grenache) and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. A good summer-weight food wine, … Read moreTrader Joe’s has a red for your white and blue – just $5.99!
Fast facts: 2018 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California $12.99 (@Costco; California, Item# 789895) 2018 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley $9.99 (@Costco; California, Item # 505074) Wine regions that produce really good Chardonnay tend to be really favorable for Pinot Noir as well, and vice versa. As we … Read moreThe right wines from the right places at the right Costco price. Right?
Fast facts: 2018 Epicuro Primitivo, Puglia, Italy ($4.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2018 Epicuro Aglianico, Puglia, Italy ($4.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) Before we get into the meat of this review, let’s start with this bottom line observation: you arguably can’t find wines made in the U.S. that taste this good at this low a price. … Read moreThe Best Wine $4.99 Can Buy? You Decide!
Fast Facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Côtes de Provence Rosé, Provence, France ($9.99 @Costco in California – Item #1133993) For my tastes, the best rosés come from Provence. They are dry, they are restrained and they are totally refreshing. Problem is, they are expensive. It is rare to find one for under $10. Heck, … Read moreChill Well with this Rosé from Costco (via Provence)
Fast facts: 2018 Technique Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California – $5.99 (@Trader Joe’s, California) This was one of those wines that stopped me in my tracks during my most recent “recon” at the Trader Joe’s wine department. After all, Alexander Valley is THE appellation for Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma (the critically acclaimed – … Read moreCrazy good Cab, at a Crazy Good Trader Joe’s Price!
Fast Facts on this “Fast Friday” Featured Wine: 2018 Educated Guess Rosé of Pinot Noir, Napa Valley, California ($3.33* @Costco in California – Item #1456531) *requires case purchase Remember our Fast Friday posts? They are all about brevity, and we only publish when we have something so good that we don’t think it should wait … Read moreA Perfectly Good Rosé from Napa and Costco – $3.33 per Bottle!