Welcome Spring with a $7.99 White Wine Steal from Costco

2017 Terra Santa, Ile de Beaute, Corsica, France 

A Wine Spectator 90 point wine, for $7.99?! Fast facts: 2017 Terra Santa, Ile de Beaute, Corsica, France ($7.99 @Costco; California) Happy Spring! The calendar assures us that winter is over.  Sure enough, the sunlight is warmer here in the northern hemisphere and each day we get a little more.  The vineyards have started to wake … Read moreWelcome Spring with a $7.99 White Wine Steal from Costco

Two Costco Italian Wines for Pizza and Pasta Pairing

2014 Monte Antico Rosso & 2015 Basilica Cafaggio Chianti Classico

Fast facts: 2014 Monte Antico Rosso  ($8.89 @Costco; California) 2015 Basilica Cafaggio Chianti Classico ($9.79@Costco; California) Ever been asked: “if you had to choose one cuisine to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?”  When I am asked, I don’t hesitate in proclaiming that my choice would be Italian food. … Read moreTwo Costco Italian Wines for Pizza and Pasta Pairing

Spring is coming, rosé is calling. Trader Joe’s answers…

2017 Reserve des Chastelles Rosé, Tavel, France

Fast facts: 2017 Reserve des Chastelles Rosé, Tavel, France ($8.99 @Trader Joe’s; California) It has been an unusually cold and wet winter here in California (I am not looking for any sympathy from those of you that get “real” winter weather, but it’s relative, right?) and thus the past two months of wine recommendation on this … Read moreSpring is coming, rosé is calling. Trader Joe’s answers…

Go. Find. This. Now. $7.99 @ Trader Joe’s

Glass and bottle of 2013 Puerta de Plata from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2013 Puerta de Plata, Catalunya, Spain ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s; California) More often than not, Saturday and Sunday are my wine exploring days at Costco and Trader Joe’s.  It’s probably the same for most of you. If you are a long time follower of this blog you may have noticed that our regular schedule … Read moreGo. Find. This. Now. $7.99 @ Trader Joe’s

A Perfectly Good Napa Pinot Noir from Trader Joe’s – oh, did I mention it’s under $10?

2016 Pinot Noir Trader Joe's Napa Valley, Lot# 178

Fast facts: Trader Joe’s Napa Valley 2016 Pinot Noir, Lot# 178 ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s; California) Several weeks ago, we reviewed a VINTJS Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Trader Joe’s. This Napa Valley wine from TJs makes for an interesting study in contrasts. Whereas the Oregon Pinot was more Burgundian (or “old world”) in style, this … Read moreA Perfectly Good Napa Pinot Noir from Trader Joe’s – oh, did I mention it’s under $10?

WS 90 points. Big red. $9.99. Boom!

Bottle of 2016 Charles Smith Wines Boom Boom Syrah, Washington State 

Fast facts: 2016 Charles Smith Wines Boom Boom Syrah, Washington State ($9.99 @Costco; California) Syrah’s most famous and historic homes are the vineyards of France’s northern Rhone, especially the appellations of Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie (pronounced coat, roa-TEE).  In other words, it is the red varietal behind some of the most sought after red wines in the … Read moreWS 90 points. Big red. $9.99. Boom!

A RIDICULOUS $2.99 Wine Deal from Trader Joe’s

2014 La Grande Cote Red Blend, Paso Robles, California

Fast facts: 2014 La Grande Cote Red Blend, Paso Robles, California ($2.99 @Trader Joe’s; California) Halt the presses!  (While we still have presses to halt.) So I know we normally do our featured weekly wine posts on Thursday, but this is such a screaming good wine value that I want all of our readers to … Read moreA RIDICULOUS $2.99 Wine Deal from Trader Joe’s

Costco Delivers a Big Red Wine

2016 Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County

Fast facts: 2016 Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County ($9.99 @Costco; California) In past posts like the one for the Jack London Merlot https://wordpress.com/post/vinopointer.com/339 I have discussed the consumer benefits to certain wine varietals going out of vogue.  In addition to Merlot, you could add Syrah and Zinfandel to the current list. For whatever reason, … Read moreCostco Delivers a Big Red Wine

French Lessons from a Trader Joe’s Pinot

2017 VINTJS Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Oregon

Fast facts: VINTJS Willamette Valley Oregon 2017 Pinot Noir ($8.99 @Trader Joe’s; California) That photo up there is not a great shot of the label, but I do like how well it captured how the wine looks in the glass, and that light, clear and vibrant pale ruby color tells you a lot about what … Read moreFrench Lessons from a Trader Joe’s Pinot

Real Deal Spanish Steal @ Costco

2015 Tarima Hill Monastrell, Alicante, Spain

Fast facts: 2015 Tarima Hill Monastrell, Alicante, Spain $11.69 (@Costco; California)   In last week’s post, I confessed my love for the Monastrell grape when reviewing a $6.99 Spanish wine from Trader Joes.  You can find the review here: https://wp.me/p9ygim-6N This is a very different, superior rendition of a Spanish Monastrell, which is also known as … Read moreReal Deal Spanish Steal @ Costco