Costco’s Substitute Sancerre is a Nice Surprise

Bottle and glass of 2022 Lucien  Raimbault Pineau Exception, Sancerre - as good as it looks!

Fast Facts: 2022 Lucien  Raimbault Pineau Exception, Sancerre, France ($16.99 @Costco in California – Item #1749206)   I’m feeling a bit like the forlorn Jack in a Box on the Island of Misfit Toys as it wails: “we might as well go to bed” when it believes that Santa isn’t coming for them. But then … Read moreCostco’s Substitute Sancerre is a Nice Surprise

Costco Wine Shoppers, Our Ship Has Come In

Bottle and cup of Kirkland Signature 2020 Sancerre

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Sancerre, Loire Valley, France ($14.99 @Costco in California – Item #1476058)   We have commented on the shrinking wine set (especially imports) at Costco in recent posts.  Ditto for Trader Joe’s. Well the dam may have broken, and our ship has clearly come in because a recent visit to my … Read moreCostco Wine Shoppers, Our Ship Has Come In

Say So Long to Summer with a Pair of SauvBlanc from Trader Joe’s

Bottles and glasses of Trader Joe's Reserve Napa 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (L) and Monique Cellars 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (R)

Fast facts: 2020 Monique Cellars, Central Coast, California ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Lot 224,  Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   Ever study wine consumers picking out wines from a sea of labels?  I do, but after some 30 years in the wine business, I can’t help it.  … Read moreSay So Long to Summer with a Pair of SauvBlanc from Trader Joe’s

Spring Into Stocking Up on Great SauvBlanc – With Help from TJs and Costco

Bottles and glasses of Kirkland Signature 2019 Sancerre (left) from Costco and Fleur de Napa 2019 Sauvignon Blanc from Trader Joe's

Fast Facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Sancerre, Loire Valley, France ($15.79 @Costco in California – Item #1476058) 2019 Fleur de Napa Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   Move over red-breasted robins, daffodils and crocuses.  From here on out, the harbinger of Spring for lovers of Sauvignon Blanc may well be the … Read moreSpring Into Stocking Up on Great SauvBlanc – With Help from TJs and Costco

Celebrate the Arrival of DST with Two Springy Wines from Costco – both under $10!

Bottles and glasses of 2019 Sacrata Alvarinho and 2020 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc, both from Costco

Fast Facts: 2019 Sacrata Alvarinho, Minho, Portugal ($8.99 @Costco in California – Item #1535819) 2020 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand  ($6.99* @Costco in California – Item #343916) *net price after $2 discount After months of days that were literally and figuratively dark, we have arrived on the doorstep of Daylight Saving Time (DST) and … Read moreCelebrate the Arrival of DST with Two Springy Wines from Costco – both under $10!

A NZ SB from TJs that Checks all the Boxes – at $5.99 no less!

Glass and bottle of the Nikau Point 2020 Sauvignon Blanc from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2020 Nikau Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($5.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   Tasting Notes: The wine pours a nice straw-yellow color. It is wonderfully crisp and balanced. The flavors set a tropical tone with notes of gooseberry and passion fruit, alongside citrus flavors of grapefruit. It is ready for almost any kind of seafood … Read moreA NZ SB from TJs that Checks all the Boxes – at $5.99 no less!

Summer’s Over? Costco Sez: Not So Fast!

Bottle and glass of Duck Hunter 2019 Sauvignon Blanc from Costco

Fast Facts: 2019 Duck Hunter Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand   ($9.99* @Costco in California – Item #1336236)   As I have admitted here freely, no small amount of NZ SB (Marlborough in particular) is consumed in my house. So I’ve come to be pretty adept at what a Sauvignon Blanc from this area typically … Read moreSummer’s Over? Costco Sez: Not So Fast!

Costco Delivers! Two 90+ Point Wines – both Under $10. Refreshing!

Bottle and glass of two wines from Costco.

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!

Trader Joe’s Delivers a Knock Out $3.99 Wine

Label of Haymaker 2018 Sauvignon Blanc from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2018 Hay Maker Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand $3.99 (@Trader Joe’s; California) Yes, that’s not a typo. This classic – and delicious – Sauvignon Blanc is a ridiculously good value for $3.99.  You know how much we like wines with high QPR, well this one has an OTCQPR.  You know: Off the Charts Quality … Read moreTrader Joe’s Delivers a Knock Out $3.99 Wine

Uncork summer in a bottle from Trader Joe’s – just $5.99

Bottle of 2018 Les Portes De Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2018 Les Portes De Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux, France $5.99 (@Trader Joe’s; California) I’m surprised that it has taken us so long to review this wine from Trader Joe’s, where it’s a bit of a staple.  But when the temperatures drifted above 90 degrees last weekend here in Southern California, it seemed the … Read moreUncork summer in a bottle from Trader Joe’s – just $5.99