93 Points of Bottled Tuscan Sun for under $10 at Costco

Costco store display of 2017 Petra Zingari Toscana

Fast facts: 2017 Zingari, Toscana, Italy ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #565343) If you’re looking for a great everyday food wine, this might just be the ticket.  After doing some research online, I am surprised that even Costco is selling this wine for a hair under $10.  It sells elsewhere for nearly twice that … Read more93 Points of Bottled Tuscan Sun for under $10 at Costco

It’s Back, and it’s As Good as Ever – KS Toscana 2019

Front label of Kirkland Signature 2019 Toscana

Fast facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Toscana IGT, Italy ($14.99 @Costco; California – Product #1181768)   Our reviews of this “Super Tuscan” wine date back to the 2016 vintage, and this one represents our third visitation.  It remains one of our perennial favorites bottled under the Kirkland Signature label.  But it depletes quickly, so do what … Read moreIt’s Back, and it’s As Good as Ever – KS Toscana 2019

KS DOCG – Explained!

Bottle and glass of the Kirkland Signature Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOGC, Veneto, Italy ($7.49@Costco, California – Item #942740)

Fast facts: Kirkland Signature Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Veneto, Italy ($7.49@Costco, California – Item #942740)   Well the price on this bottle inched up to $7.49 from its former price of $6.99.  Sure, that is a “whopping” increase of 7%, but this wine still packs a whole lotta QPR, especially considering its DOCG designation – … Read moreKS DOCG – Explained!

Your House Wine for Pizza and Pasta Nights

Front label of 2014 Poggio al Casone, Toscana, Italy - $9.99 at Trader Joe's

Fast Facts: 2014 Poggio al Casone, Toscana, Italy ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   Frankly, every time I take a first sip of this wine I exclaim (often to myself): “I don’t know how they do it!” For starters, this brand is always well-aged. In this case 8 (!) years. That rarely comes cheap.  And … Read moreYour House Wine for Pizza and Pasta Nights

Put a Little (Aperol) Spritz in your Step

Trader Joe's store display of 2020 Cecilia Beretta Prosecco Rosé

Fast facts: 2020 Cecilia Beretta Prosecco Rosé ($10.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   Seems like summer has arrived with a vengeance, and it is time for sipping poolside, lakeside or seaside.  However you stay cool is cool with us. Prosecco might help… Prosecco is a deliciously dry sparkling wine with crisp acidity, low sugar and plenty … Read morePut a Little (Aperol) Spritz in your Step

Bargain Barolo from Costco

Front label of Kirkland Signature 2017 Barolo

Fast facts: 2017 Kirkland Signature Barolo, Italy ($19.99 @ Costco, California – Item #1355183)   Most of us have been asked the question: “if you could only eat one country’s food for the rest of your life, which would it be?”  I never hesitate to quickly answer: “Italian!”  And the same goes for the wines … Read moreBargain Barolo from Costco

A Great Spring Wine has Sprung at Costco

Display of 2019 Casal di Serra Verdicchio at Costco

Fast facts: 2019 Umani Ronchi, Casal di Serra, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Italy ($11.99 @ Costco, California – Item #1148623)   We talk frequently about the things to look for when choosing a wine. We often cite “the right grape, from the right place.”  We could add to that list: the right importer. I have … Read moreA Great Spring Wine has Sprung at Costco

Ba Ba Bah Ba Ba Barbaresco – on a Budget!

Bottle and glass of 2015 Barreri & Rovati Barbaresco Riseva.

Fast facts: 2015 Barreri & Rovati Barbaresco Riserva, Barbaresco, Italy ($19.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   In the region of Piedmont in Northern Italy, the Nebbiolo grape stands high above the rest. The Nebbiolo grape produces powerful wines. has two personalities—the dark, brutish wines of Barolo (which stand up to long aging better) and the … Read moreBa Ba Bah Ba Ba Barbaresco – on a Budget!

KS Barolo 2016 – Perfect for Pairing with Your Favorite Italian Dishes

Kirkland Signature 2016 Barolo alongside and atop Italian cookbooks.

Fast facts: 2016 Kirkland Signature Barolo, Italy ($19.99 @ Costco, California – Item #1355183)   Maybe it’s the change in the weather, but I have detected a strong leaning into Italian wines over the past month or so.  There was this recent Valpolicella that we featured from Trader Joe’s and, of course, the Kirkland Signature … Read moreKS Barolo 2016 – Perfect for Pairing with Your Favorite Italian Dishes

Perfect for Pairing with Pizza and Pasta

Bottle and glass of 2018 Cecilia Beretta, Valpolicella, Verona, Italy perched atop our all-time favorite cookbook from the chef couple that brought restaurant Al Forno to Providence, Rhode Island.

Fast facts: 2018 Cecilia Beretta, Valpolicella, Verona, Italy ($11.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   The wines of this region have come a long way since critic Robert Parker dismissed them as “insipid, industrial garbage” over a decade ago.  This one in particular is a pretty good representation of how quickly winemakers in the region have begun … Read morePerfect for Pairing with Pizza and Pasta