Fun Bubbles and $5!? Thanks, Trader Joe’s!

Glass and bottle of the 2019 Pop Up Sparkling, 100% Chardonnay, Evergreen Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington

Fast facts: 2019 Pop Up Sparkling, 100% Chardonnay, Evergreen Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington ($4.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)     This one was hard to pass by in a recent visit to Trader Joe’s. First there was the packaging. Striking, colorful and dare we say, adorable? From the crown cap on down? It reminded us of … Read moreFun Bubbles and $5!? Thanks, Trader Joe’s!

A Great PNW Cab from Costco – K?

Glass and bottle of 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington ($13.99 @Costco, California – Item #1462908)   You’d be forgiven for thinking that virtually all of the wine produced in the United States is produced in California. Because 86% of it is. In distant second and third places are Washington state … Read moreA Great PNW Cab from Costco – K?

A Whole Lot of Red Wine Goodness for $5.99 from Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe's store display of 2019 The Originals Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington

Fast facts: 2019 Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington ($5.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Before we start waxing about the grape, the vinification, the history…let’s say this: this is a great bottle of wine for $5.99!     I entered the wine business – at least as a professional, hehe – in the early nineties.  It … Read moreA Whole Lot of Red Wine Goodness for $5.99 from Trader Joe’s

TJs has a Perfect Pair of White Wines to Pair with Traditional Thanksgiving Fare

2019 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurtztraminer, Columbia Valley, Washington ($7.99 @Trader Joe's, California) 2020 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier,  Napa, California ($11.99 @Trader Joe's, California)

Fast facts: 2019 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurtztraminer, Columbia Valley, Washington ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2020 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier,  Napa, California ($11.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   Trader Joe’s has a pair of perfect Thanksgiving white wines. Neither will break the bank and both are delicious. For starters, let’s address the qualifier in the … Read moreTJs has a Perfect Pair of White Wines to Pair with Traditional Thanksgiving Fare

A Screaming Good Merlot Deal from Costco, Dissected

Bottle and glass of 2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA - $8.69 at Costco

Fast facts: 2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA ($8.69* @ Costco, California – Item #160933) *net price after $4.00 in store discount   Here is the news that those of us in the wine business woke to on July 12 of this year:  “Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the largest winery in the Pacific … Read moreA Screaming Good Merlot Deal from Costco, Dissected

A Trio of Tasty Trader Joe’s Wines for Your Labor Day Soiree

A trio of tastiness from Trader Joe's, just in time for your Labor Day celebrations.

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve  Rosé ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2018  Trader Joe’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   There’s a scene in the movie The Jerk, starring Steve Martin as..well, … Read moreA Trio of Tasty Trader Joe’s Wines for Your Labor Day Soiree

The Two Most Popular Wine Varieties in the US – via Costco

Glasses and bottles of Kirkland Signature 2019 Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) Chardonnay and Kirkland Signature 2019 Columbia Valley (Washington State) Cabernet Sauvignon

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

There’s a new K in town at Costco – think pink wine

Bottle and glass of Kirkland Signature K Vine 2020 rose wine from Costco

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Rosé of Syrah, Buckshot Vineyard, Washington State, USA  ($9.99 @Costco in California – Item #1462888)    At last, Costco’s much-hyped, highly anticipated K Vine series are arriving in stores.  The first one to land in my local Costco is this lovely rosé.  Created in collaboration with the “rock … Read moreThere’s a new K in town at Costco – think pink wine

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!

Perfect Turkey Day White Wines at a Low Trader Joe’s Price

2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington & 2015 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurtztraminer, Columbia Valley, Washington

Fast facts: 2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2015 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurtztraminer, Columbia Valley, Washington ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) This is the second of several posts that will feature wines to pair with the upcoming holidays here in the Northern Hemisphere.  These two white wines would be a … Read morePerfect Turkey Day White Wines at a Low Trader Joe’s Price