The Flora and Stone Merlot in 2021 is a $6.99 non-vintage ALDI wine from California. An inexpensive budget supermarket wine normally does not inspire a great deal of confidence. But we recently reviewed the Flora and Stone Gewürztraminer, a $4.99 non-vintage wine, and it was an enjoyable drink. Flora and Stone wines are made by Pacific Bay Vineyards, which seems to be a … [Read more...]
223 Grenache 2020
The 223 Grenache 2020 is a $6.99 Trader Joe's wine in the USofA, though it is available at wine shops outside the US in the $13 to $16 range. This is 100% Grenache sourced from vineyards near and around the village of Cébazan in the Languedoc region of southeast France. The 223 in the name refers to the growing period for the Grenache grape, from bud break till the leaves … [Read more...]
Crossbow Carneros Pinot Noir 2018
The Crossbow Carneros Pinot Noir 2018 is one of the Shannon Family of Wines, Shannon Ridge is the winery, and they are located in the Lake County AVA of Northern California. Shannon Ridge was founded in 1995. Lake County is directly north of Napa Valley, and the Shannon Ridge vineyards are only 35 miles away from the nearest Napa vineyards. Shannon Ridge was started by Clay … [Read more...]
Cocobon Roasted Oak Red Blend
The Cocobon Roasted Oak Red Blend is a non-vintage blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah sourced from vineyards in several California grape growing AVAs. This wine is available at Trader Joe's for $6.99, and it is also available at retail wine shops for a similar price. Cocobon is a brand from The Wine Group, which also sells Benzinger, Cupcake, Concannon, Franzia, … [Read more...]
Rosé-Vous? 2020
The Rosé-Vous? 2020 is a $5.99 ALDI import exclusive, a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah sourced from grapes farmed in the Languedoc region of France. This is rated an IGP wine or a Vin d'Pays D'Oc wine. These wines are a step below the AOC-rated wines. IGP is subject to few rules and regulations in the vineyard and the winery but represents the growing region. These … [Read more...]