Fast facts: 2022 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Chardonnay Lot #128, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) You have heard us say many times that Sonoma’s cool Russian River Valley excels at producing world class Pinot Noir and the same goes for Chardonnay. Chardonnay remains its most planted wine grape, although … Read moreA TJ’s Chard to Toast the Arrival of Spring
Fast Facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lot #95, Sonoma County, California ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s in California) I am a self-professed insufferable wine snob, but I just have to say that it really bugs me when my California (!) friends say they are going to visit Napa and I discover … Read moreA Great TJ’s Cab Sauv, Just Don’t Call it Napa
2021 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($11.99@Costco, California – Item #555512) Yogi Berra was once quoted as saying that “It’s not boasting if it’s true.” And the truth is, the Russian River Valley is one of the best places in the world to grow Pinot Noir grapes. Ditto Chardonnay. … Read moreAn $11.99 Russian River Pinot Noir – Costco for the Win!
Fast facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California ($6.99 @ Costco, California – Item #514007) Rules are made for breaking, but here is one I tend to subscribe to: avoid wines labeled “merely” California. I know it sounds like heresy, but hear me out. As a general rule, a wine that is not sub-appelated … Read moreA Whole Lotta Sonoma Chardonnay Goodness – for Just $6.99?!
Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Zinfandel, Lot #233, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) Just in time for barbecue season and the first days of summer. There are few red wine varietals that are as good a match for grilled food as Zinfandel is. It was born for the role! … Read moreGot ‘cue? Then get your hands on this Zin!
Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Merlot Lot #227, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) We hope our subject line extrapolating the price per gallon (there are five standard 750ml bottles in a gallon FWIW) for this wine makes you feel better about the last time you filled up your … Read moreGreat Mmmerlot for Just $50 per Gallon!
Fast facts: 2018 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #223343) Long term readers may have detected a slight bias we have in favor of Sonoma Valley vs. Napa Valley. There is no disputing that both Valleys produce world class wines, but the sheer diversity that … Read moreA Nice $9.99 Sonoma/Alexander Valley Cabernet from Costco – Perfect for Food
Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Zinfandel, Lot #71, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) I’ve been fortunate to have travelled to some of the most beautiful wine growing regions in the world, and Dry Creek Valley is among my favorites. Studded with knarly old growth vineyards, it’s an unpretentious premium … Read moreA Delicious Dry Creek Zinfandel from Trader Joe’s – Just Add BBQ!
Fast Facts: 2017 Laguna Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA ($9.99* @Costco in California – Item #575261) * net price after $10 discount at store. Almost exactly a year ago we … Read moreCostco has a great 90 point Chardonnay – for under $10
Fast Facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington ($8.99 @Costco in California – Item #1226845) 2019 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($12.99 @Costco in California – Item #789895) What were the two most popular wine varieties sold in the US in 2020? That’s easy. Cabernet Sauvignon and – not far … Read moreThe Two Most Popular Wine Varieties in the US – via Costco