An Exotic Food and Wine Tour of South America – Buckle Up!

Bottle and glass of Trader Joe's 2022 Cuy Argentine Malbec.

Fast facts: 2022 Cuy Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   I confess it was the packaging that first attracted me to this bottle at my local Trader Joe’s.  For starters, its wax cap was a surprise at this price point.  And the modern art on the label looks like the kind of thing … Read moreAn Exotic Food and Wine Tour of South America – Buckle Up!

A Whole Lotta Malbec for $6.99 at Costco

2021 Kirkland Signature Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($6.99 @ Costco, California – Item #1239144)

Fast facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($6.99 @ Costco, California – Item #1239144)   See that 90 prominently displayed on the neck foil of this Kirkland Signature Malbec?  That was awarded by the critic James Suckling. I am not a slave to others reviews and point systems (heck, I almost always have to … Read moreA Whole Lotta Malbec for $6.99 at Costco

Giving Organic Wine a Good Name

Trader Joe's store display of 2021 Domaine Bousquet Malbec, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Argentina - 100% organic. 100% delicious.

Fast facts: 2021 Domaine Bousquet Malbec, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Argentina ($8.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   There was a time when seeing the word “organic” was a warning sign.  Not so long ago organic wines, were – in a word – funky. Not in a good way.  All that has changed now, especially for this particular … Read moreGiving Organic Wine a Good Name

A Trader Joe’s Wine Secret – Revealed!

Bottle and glass of 2019 Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Lot #111, Estate Single Vineyard Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Fast facts: 2019 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Lot #111, Estate Single Vineyard Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina  ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s; California)   Trader Joe’s does a really good job of of masking who makes most of their exclusive label wines such as this one. So imagine my surprise when I pulled the cork on this … Read moreA Trader Joe’s Wine Secret – Revealed!

A Red Wine full of Pleasant Surprises – and just $7.99 at Trader Joe’s

Front label of 2020 Trader Joe's Petit Reserve Single Vineyard Syrah, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Single Vineyard Syrah, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina  ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s; California)   Argentina is regarded as one of the most dynamic wine-producing nations in the world, and the most important wine-producing region in South America. Only four countries in the world produce more wine than Argentina, but this … Read moreA Red Wine full of Pleasant Surprises – and just $7.99 at Trader Joe’s

A Delicious Pair for Your Next BBQ – Each Just $7.99 at Trader Joe’s

Bottles and glasses of Roustabout Meritage and Alamos Malbec from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2019 Alamos Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2019 Roustabout Meritage, Paso Robles, California ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   Daylight saving time – check! Spring arrives – check! Temperatures moderate – check! As North America thaws, our food and wine preferences change with the temperatures, which have crept well up into the 80s … Read moreA Delicious Pair for Your Next BBQ – Each Just $7.99 at Trader Joe’s

Two Malbecs from Up High, at Prices that are Costco Low

Bottle of Ben Marco 2018 Malbec (left)and Piatelli Vineyards 2019 Malbec. Both from Argentina and Costco.

Fast Facts: 2019 Piatelli Vineyards Reserve Malbec, Cafayate Valley, Salta, Argentina ($9.89 @Costco in California – Item #1316321) 2018 Ben Marco Malbec, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina ($9.99* @Costco in California – Item #101580) *net price after $5 discount     Black Skins Matter There are basically three “colors” of wine grapes here on earth: white, grey … Read moreTwo Malbecs from Up High, at Prices that are Costco Low

Trader Joe’s vs. Costco in a $6.99 Argentine Malbec Face Off

We pit two Malbecs against each other. One from Trader Joes, one from Costco. Both from Argentina, both just $6.99

  Fast facts: 2017 Amancay Winery, Reserva Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2017 Kirkland Signature Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina  ($6.99 @Costco,  California) Normally, we only review wines we like and are prepared to recommend you buy. But every now and them we find two wines that are begging to be compared – … Read moreTrader Joe’s vs. Costco in a $6.99 Argentine Malbec Face Off