T Minus 14 Days to T Day – We Have Some Wine for That!

Front label of the 2022 Valle de Inez Pinot Noir.

Fast facts: 2021 Valle de Inez Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo, CA ($9.99* @ Costco, California – Item #1374624) *Net price after $10 in store discount   It’s hard to believe, but we will be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States in two short weeks.  Then we’re on the slippery slope to … Read moreT Minus 14 Days to T Day – We Have Some Wine for That!

Trader Joe’s Sez: “Let’s Be Franc”

Trader Joe's store display of the 2022 Cabernet Franc, Petit Reserve, Paso Robles, California   - a great deal at $7.99

Fast Facts: 2022 Cabernet Franc, Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve, Paso Robles, California   ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   …and let’s be frank: you just don’t see many bottlings of straight up Cabernet Franc – unless you are standing in a Winery Tasting Room.  Cab Sauv?  Sure.  Cab Franc. Not so much… So that is what … Read moreTrader Joe’s Sez: “Let’s Be Franc”

Think You Can’t Find High QPR Pinot Noir Under $10? Think again…

Bottle and glass of the 2021 Pinot Noir, Trader Joe's Reserve Lot #241, Santa Barbara County, California

Fast Facts: 2021 Pinot Noir, Trader Joe’s Reserve Lot #241, Santa Barbara County, California   ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   Pinot Noir has a problem. It’s being loved to death. Its precise rank varies by which list you consult, but it remains securely in the top 5 of all wine grapes, and second only to … Read moreThink You Can’t Find High QPR Pinot Noir Under $10? Think again…

Rosé + Prosecco = Summer Genius!

Front label of the 2021 Kirkland Signature Prosecco Rosé

Fast Facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Prosecco Rosé, Veneto, Italy ($7.99 @Costco in California – Item #1521870) We spill no small amount of “ink” talking about the “old world” rules and regs when it comes to wine and how they are generally more restrictive than in the US and the new world.  Think of it as … Read moreRosé + Prosecco = Summer Genius!

93 Points for Under $10? Thanks, Costco!

Front label of the f2016 Gaudio Reserva Red Blend, Alentejo, Portugal - just $8.79 at our local Costco

Fast facts: 2016 Gaudio Reserva Red Blend, Alentejo, Portugal ($8.79 @Costco; California – Product #1756471)   I have to admit that a big reason I reached for this wine is that my wife and I visited this region (south of Lisbon, north of the stunning Algarve) this past Spring.  Oh, then there is the matter … Read more93 Points for Under $10? Thanks, Costco!

A Delicious Summer Weight Spanish Red Wine – Just $9.99 at TJs

Front label of 2019  Vallobera Crianza, Rioja, Spain ($9.99 @Trader Joe's in California)

Fast Facts: 2019  Vallobera Crianza, Rioja, Spain ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   Rioja is one Spain’s most famous wine regions and is one of only two regions classified under the Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) system. Its two most important red grapes are Tempranillo and Garnacha.  This particular wine is 100% Tempranillo, one of … Read moreA Delicious Summer Weight Spanish Red Wine – Just $9.99 at TJs

Fire Up the Barbee, Pour this Wine

Store display of 2021 Trader Joe's Petit Reserve Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia ($7.99 @ Trader Joe's, California)

Fast facts: 2021 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia ($7.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   While we felt compelled to give a nod to the Aussie origin of this wine in this subject line, perhaps we should have said “fire up the barbee, Barbie” given all the hype the latter is creating in … Read moreFire Up the Barbee, Pour this Wine

97 Point Malbec for Under $10? What is this Sorcery Costco?!

Photo of bottle sticker showing Decanter Award of 97 points

Fast facts: 2021 Altosur Malbec,  Uco Valley, Argentina ($8.89 @ Costco, California – Item #1448051)   97 points and less than $10? Yep, we can quarrel about whether the 97 points is warranted, but suffice it to say that the 2021 Altosur Malbec is certainly worthy of great praise.  Awarded Best in Show for Value … Read more97 Point Malbec for Under $10? What is this Sorcery Costco?!

This May Just Be the Best Pinot Noir for Under $10 in the United States

Front label of this 2021 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #505074)

Fast facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #505074)   Costco is nothing if not consistent when it comes to their schedule of releases.  We reviewed the prior vintage of this Carneros Pinot Noir at the same time last year.  Good news, the price has not … Read moreThis May Just Be the Best Pinot Noir for Under $10 in the United States

Pour. Sip. Repeat. A Refreshing High QPR Rosé from Costco

Front label of the 2021 Kirkland Signature Côtes de Provence Rosé, Provence, France   ($7.99 @Costco in California – Item #1133993) 

Fast Facts: 2022 Kirkland Signature Côtes de Provence Rosé, Provence, France   ($7.99 @Costco in California – Item #1133993)  Another nice price discount from Costco – the 2019 vintage of this wine was $9.99.  A 20% reduction in price, in an era of inflation, is as refreshing as this wine is. But don’t wait if … Read morePour. Sip. Repeat. A Refreshing High QPR Rosé from Costco