Fire Up the BBQ and Pull the Cork on this TJ’s Red Wine

Bottle and glass of the 2021 Trader Joe's Reserve Meritage, Lot #239, Paso Robles, CA

Fast facts: 2021 Trader Joe’s Reserve Meritage, Lot #239, Paso Robles, CA ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   So this red caught my eye at Trader Joe’s recently.  There were two things that first attracted me to this wine: the magical word Meritage (rhymes with “heritage” but is also pronounced “mehr-it-taj”) which promises good things … Read moreFire Up the BBQ and Pull the Cork on this TJ’s Red Wine

A Perennial Favorite from Costco – More French Lessons

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Gigondas, France ($13.99 @Costco in California – Item #11341020)   One of the nice things about Costco’s line of Kirkland Signature wines is not just their incredible QPR, but also their relative price stability in this era where most prices keep ratcheting higher. We have been mining a French wine … Read moreA Perennial Favorite from Costco – More French Lessons

French Lessons from Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe's store display of the 2021  Vignobles Lacheteau Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, Loire Valley, France

Fast facts: 2021  Vignobles Lacheteau Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, Loire Valley, France ($7.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   European wine producers have a long standing tradition of using labels that are, in a word, confusing.  At least to the average wine consumer.  This is such a label. But we are here with some “French Lessons” to help … Read moreFrench Lessons from Trader Joe’s

Our Perennial Favorite Napa CabSauv at Costco for Under $20

Costco store display of the 2020 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Suscol Vineyard, Napa Valley, California

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Suscol Vineyard, Napa Valley, California ($17.99 @Costco in California – Item #1491800)   This is one of our favorites and we were delighted to see this just show up in our local Costco. We have reviewed the 2018 and 2019 vintages and found this 2020 may be the … Read moreOur Perennial Favorite Napa CabSauv at Costco for Under $20

$15 Chablis?! Thank Trader Joe’s

2021 Sainte Celine Chablis, Burgundy, France ($15.99 @Trader Joe's, California)

Fast facts: 2021 Sainte Celine Chablis, Burgundy, France ($15.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)     Many American wine drinkers first became familar with the name Chablis back when California winemakers were running amok bottling cheap jug wines with the Chablis name on the label. Which is unfortunate. Because it confused generations in the process. Maybe that … Read more$15 Chablis?! Thank Trader Joe’s

90 Point Red for $10.99?!

Front label of the 2017 Quinta Do Portal, Riserva Red, Douro Valley, Portugal

Fast facts: 2017 Quinta Do Portal, Riserva Red, Douro Valley, Portugal ($10.99 @ Costco, California – Item #670474)   We are recently back from a tasting trip to Portugal, so finding this wine at Costco was a real treat.  One sip and we were transported eight time zones back to our tastings in Alentejo.  Even … Read more90 Point Red for $10.99?!

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

Trader Joe’s is Your Puerta to High QPR

Front label of 2015 Puerta de Plata red blend wine from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2015 Puerta de Plata, Catalunya, Spain ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   If memory serves, this was one of the first wines we reviewed on this blog.  I recall hyperventilating when I first tasted it, especially given its $7.99 price point and uber classy packaging.  It’s a bit of a Trader Joe’s staple, so … Read moreTrader Joe’s is Your Puerta to High QPR

It’s Back, the High QPR KS CdP from Costco – with a Pope angle, no less!

Store display of the 2021 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($19.69 @ Costco, California – Item #777662)

Fast facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($19.69 @ Costco, California – Item #777662)   Among the “old world” offerings bottled under the Kirkland Signature name, this CdP is one of our perennial favorites. It has been around for over a decade, and is consistently good. It is a rare thing to find CdP wines for … Read moreIt’s Back, the High QPR KS CdP from Costco – with a Pope angle, no less!

Love at First Sniff – a 90+ Point TJs Red Wine Find for Under $20

Glass and bottle of 2019 Clos de los Siete Malbec, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina ($16.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)

Fast Facts: 2019 Clos de los Siete Red Blend, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina ($16.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   Michel Rolland is arguably one of the 10 most influential individuals in the modern wine era.  His style dominated the world for decades and continues to influence how the most costly wines are made.  Namely, … Read moreLove at First Sniff – a 90+ Point TJs Red Wine Find for Under $20