Starbucks 'Trenta': How The New Size Compares To Your Stomach
Famous Death Row Last Meals
Who says that you have to spend $90 for a good bottle of wine? Or even $20?
A 2005 Charles Shaw Chardonnay, aka "Two Buck Chuck," was named the Best Chardonnay at the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition. The wine is sold for $1.99 at the Trader Joe's chain.
This article at the San Jose Mercury News says that it's not really a surprise that the inexpensive wine won, since judges often try to be contrarian at these events (especially if it's something fruity). The article also says that if you want to go down to Trader Joe's and buy a case you should be aware that the quality of the chardonnay can vary from bottle to bottle.
I'm not a white wine guy, but for $1.99 it has to be worth a try; and I'll still have money left over to buy some Doritos and Yodels!
Jane Seymour's Modest And Modern Style
Broke Stars: 11 Celebrities Who Went Bankrupt
LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
Social Security Is Failing Even Faster Than We Thought
PHOTOS: How You Can Get The 'Miracle' Dress
Man Says Starbucks Discriminated Against Him Because He Has Half An Arm
Chris Brown, Grammys 2012: Embattled Singer Slams Critics
Janice Dickinson's Outrageous Style
Ford's clever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ad features phantom model
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
Trace Adkins Reunites With College Crush, 30 Years Later
Van Gogh's Starry Night modded into beautiful interactive light and sound show (video)
PHOTOS: Model Falls At Dennis Basso Show
'Hooker Teacher' Forced To Resign, Now Can't Find Work
Lauren Scruggs Goes On Ski Vacation
WATCH AND LAUGH: Cops In 2-Hour Standoff With Empty Car
Woman's Dead Fiance Is Behind Her Disappearance: Cops
Stephen Wiltshire Draws Cities From Memory
We Meant There WERE Nukes In The Fire
7-13-2007 @12:04PM Bob Mc said... I'm not rich, and I live near a Trader Joe's here in Napa. I've tried all the Chucks, and the chardonnay is the only one worth two bucks. The reds and the blanc are OK, but I wouldn't buy them for anything other than a picnic.
Reply
7-13-2007 @12:20PM Jeff said... I buy wine at Trader Joe's all the time, and I have NEVER, ever seen one for sale at $1.99. The cheapest I've seen is 3-something.
Maybe stuff is just more expensive in Chicago.
Reply
7-13-2007 @12:46PM Barry said... Well, it's a crap shoot. Ideally you'd open the bottle in the parking lot to see if it is any good. If it is run back in and buy a case because the next time you get a bottle (red or white) it may suck. They make wine in huuuuuuge quantities at a time so quality is all over the map.
Reply
7-13-2007 @1:20PM Rick Dobbs said... Well, here's what a State Fair Ribbon is worth.
Reply
7-13-2007 @1:21PM Rick Dobbs said... Oops. No href. http://www.vinography.com/archives/2007/06/stop_the_state_fair_madness.html
Reply
7-13-2007 @2:02PM Ryan said... I agree with Bob Mc. I can't do their reds (believe me, I want to like them!), but this 05 Chard is actually quite nice for 2 bucks. Having it around for a light drink on a hot day or even for some cooking is why I bought a case.
Reply
7-13-2007 @6:28PM Rich said... I'm not sure what a "Commercial Wine Competition" is but I bet the Napa wines that cost $100s aren't in it.
Reply
8-27-2007 @8:56PM Jupiter said... I always have at least a bottle of this in my fridge. My previous favourite wine cost about $20 (rarely I could find it on great sale for $14 or $17). This tastes as nice as that did. It's not stellar, but for an ordinary every-day wine for someone such as myself with little budget (and an admittedly unrefined pallate), it is nice. Not the best, but who can afford that? I always said why spend more ~ it all tastes like lighter fluid anyway. I've changed my mind ~ I do actually (mostly) like the Two Buck Chuck. Their reds are a bit iffey ~ sometimes good, but when bad, they're awful, but that's the nature of reds. White wine can at least be sweetened with a dash of juice if it makes you cringe.
Reply
8-29-2007 @1:50AM Colin said... Hopefully this will help California get out of its chardonnay slump. The Wall Street Journal has had a couple articles over the past year describing how poor even the pricey California chards have been the last decade or two. Why pay $60 for a crappy CA chard, when you can pay $2 and send a message to the overpriced CA wine companies?
It's time CA starts taking its chard seriously again, and if it takes me buying cases of Two Buck for the next few years, I'm all for it...as things are today, I have nothing to lose.
Reply
9-15-2007 @2:33AM Jack said... This post SO hurts my eyes.
"I'm not a white wine guy, but for $1.99 it has to be worth a try" - you mean just like owning a Yugo was worth a try? Just like invading Iraq was worth a try? Com'on Bob, what do you think the chances are of you getting a bottle (of the millions made) that tasted as good as the ones the judges tasted?
And to Commenter #9, above, "Why pay $60 for a crappy CA chard, when you can pay $2 and send a message to the overpriced CA wine companies?" - you're joking, right? How does buying a taco from a street vendor send a message to the owners of a one-star Michelin restaurant?
Reply