Kirkland Signature RRV Chardonnay – Bingo!

Display of bottles of Kirkland Signature 2019 Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) Chardonnay at Costco

Fast Facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay,  Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($12.99 @Costco in California – Item #789895)   In her encyclopedic The Oxford Companion to Wine, author Jancis Robinson refers to Sonoma’s Russian River Valley as a “high quality California wine region and AVA west of Healdsburg along that portion of river that meanders through … Read moreKirkland Signature RRV Chardonnay – Bingo!

Our Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Wines from Trader Joe’s – Updated!

Front of a Trader Joe's store.

  Going shopping for wine at your local Trader Joe’s?  Well take along this list of the 13 most recent posts that included wines from TJ’s. In this “case” think of it as your lucky 13! All prices shown are based on those in California.  Click on any of the links below for tasting notes … Read moreOur Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Wines from Trader Joe’s – Updated!

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

Pet Nat Wines are Having a Moment – Wait, What?

2022 Amuse Bouche, Pétillant Naturel, Sparkling White Wine, France ($11.99@ Trader Joe's, California) pictured with Trader Joe's Sea Salted Saddle Potato Crisps ($1.99). Yummy pairing!

Fast facts: 2022 Amuse Bouche, Pétillant Naturel, Sparkling White Wine, France ($11.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) Sometimes it seems like there is very little new in the wine market. Then something like this comes along.  But it’s actually not very new, after all. Read on… Let’s assume you have never even heard of a Pét-nat … Read morePet Nat Wines are Having a Moment – Wait, What?

$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

A “Cheap and Cheery” White Wine from Traders Joe’s – Bring on Spring!

Store display of the 2021 La Granja 360 Verdejo Viura at Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2021 La Granja 360 Verdejo Viura $5.49 (@Trader Joe’s; California)   Where does the time go? We last reviewed the 2016 vintage of this wine in 2018.  Like everything else, the price has gone up quite a bit since them.  Back then it was priced at a rather ridiculous (in retrospect) $3.49.  But … Read moreA “Cheap and Cheery” White Wine from Traders Joe’s – Bring on Spring!

KS DOCG – Explained!

Bottle and glass of the Kirkland Signature Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOGC, Veneto, Italy ($7.49@Costco, California – Item #942740)

Fast facts: Kirkland Signature Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Veneto, Italy ($7.49@Costco, California – Item #942740)   Well the price on this bottle inched up to $7.49 from its former price of $6.99.  Sure, that is a “whopping” increase of 7%, but this wine still packs a whole lotta QPR, especially considering its DOCG designation – … Read moreKS DOCG – Explained!

TJ’s $9.99 Fun-Size Legit Champagne Will Have you “Drinking Stars” – or Maybe Just Seeing Them!

Glass and bottle of Ernest Rapeneau Champagne Brut ($9.99@Trader Joe's, California) alongside a 750ml standard bottle of Dom Perignon for perspective.

NV Ernest Rapeneau Champagne Brut, Epernay, France ($9.99@Trader Joe’s, California)   We celebrated the solstice yesterday by popping the cap on this bottle. We are in the home stretch of 2022 people, and this bottle (or bottles!) would be good to have in your fridge for several reasons. If you’re like us, there are holiday … Read moreTJ’s $9.99 Fun-Size Legit Champagne Will Have you “Drinking Stars” – or Maybe Just Seeing Them!

Bargain Champagne?!

Front label of the Kirkland Signature Champagne Brut.

Fast facts: NV Kirkland Signature Champagne Brut ($19.99@Costco, California – Item #942108)   This is our second wine in our December series on sparkling wines. This particular wine also has the distinction of being the very first one reviewed on this site, back in 2018.  A lot has changed in the world since then, but … Read moreBargain Champagne?!

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!