I know there are a lot of fans of 2 buck Chuck out there. Trader Joe’s has some great wines and the prices are comparable to most of the other discount liquor stores.
You can go to a grocery store but the fact of the matter is, I prefer a liquor store or a wine store to come across the real deal on wine. Who knows the brands better than the experts?
In this wine note each week, we will feature a bottle that is between $10 - $20. Write me an email and give me your suggestions. We are also working with several wines stores in Chicago to come up with the weekly recommendations.
If you like Chardonnay, we endorse Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve Chardonnay 2007 at $15 a bottle. I really love this wine because it is so buttery and that is my flavor of choice when it comes to anything including wine.
Here are the Winemaker's notes:
"Thanks to Jess Jackson’s extraordinary agricultural empire of top-notch vineyards sprinkled throughout the state of California, the 2007 Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay is entirely made from estate fruit. It is 100% barrel-fermented, and aged five months with 100% malolactic, an incredible fact considering the volume produced. This cuvee seems to get better with each vintage as winemaker Randy Ullom is a virtuoso at producing such high quantity / high quality wine. Purchasers should be sure they are buying it from a retailer who stores it properly as this is a serious Chardonnay. Notes of melons, honeysuckle, and lemon oil along with remarkable flavor and texture are found in this wine, which can be purchased for under $15 a bottle. It is best consumed during the first 1-2 years of life."
Look for a new under $20 recommendation next week. It’s got to be red because most of my friends and family are sold on red. Am I the only Chardonnay drinker still out there?
Bon Appetit!