You can get some pretty amazing values in low priced wine, which are really produced almost as bulk wine, sold for under $5 and something that most wine lovers would not give a second glance. Two Buck Chuck at Trader Joe’s was like that. Started in 2002, made by Charles Shaw, this bottle gave you a very drinkable and enjoyable bottle of wine for a ridiculous price. It wasn’t, and still isn’t anything earth shattering. But it’s not bad for an everyday bottle. It’s also pretty much as good as lots of wine available from $5 – $10, and some that go higher.
There are other versions of this type of thing available at various other chains. Let’s take a look at two wines we picked up at Whole Foods for $3.99 each that fit this mold.
They are both from Three Wishes Vineyards, made and bottled in Lodi California. They are marked as “American”, meaning the grapes
can come from anywhere in the country, but the Lodi and Central Valley regions are likely. We picked up the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Merlot on a lark. We were surprised by what you actually get for the money.
The Cabernet is dark maroon in color, with a prominent oak profile on the nose, but that settles and reduces with some air time allowing black and red fruit to emerge. It is a smooth wine at 13% alcohol, with no hard edges. Very drinkable, this is a steal at the $3.99 price, It won’t make you forget that bottle of 2001 Martini Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon, but then again, what will?
We can say basically the same about the Merlot. It’s a little lighter in color and body than the Cab, but still smooth, with red fruits. Raspberry and red plum provide a nice core. It has decent length and is another very drinkable juice.
There’s a lot of great wine in the world, but these are not in that category. What they do though is provide a pretty darn good glass of wine for little money, which lets us afford more of those great wines. Life is about balance. Bottles like these can help with that.
A votre santé!
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