CHARLES SHAW CHARDONNAY

Hello:

Been away for a while - so to get back into things, let me begin by jumping into the "Two Buck Chuck" controversy. As you probably heard, it was judged Best Chardonnay from California at the 2007 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition.

Since then, there have been a lot of back and forth comments on various wine blogs and in wine publications. These have ranged from "the judges were drunk" to "it's really a decent wine." One thing that can't be denied is that the outlet for this wine, Trader Joe's stores, can't keep it in stock. When I tried to buy some, it took three trips to the Thousand Oaks Trader Joe's before I could get any - then it was the last 3 bottles. I subsequently went back and secured a case ($23.52!!!!).

Dorianne and I had the first bottle with shrimp and pasta. The wine is very good cold - it depreciates quite a bit as it warms up. (The Wine Goof suggests putting a couple of frozen strawberries into the glass to keep it cold, then enjoying the wine-soaked berries). There are hints of oaky butter (although Charles Shaw does not use oak) which get there God knows how. We have had several bottles since, and I must say, it is decent and drinkable and would be a value at 4 or 5 times the $1.99 (in CA) price.

I should note that I am not a big Chardonnay fan - I prefer Fume Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, so I may not be the best source for those who are really into big buttery Chardonnays. But then again, the judges at the CA State Fair found it the best among those tasted - including many of the traditional top-shelf California producers.

My advice - for $1.99, buy a few bottles and try it. The worst case scenario is you have some cheap cooking wine (which is what I do with the Charles Shaw Merlot, by the way).

What do you think?

'Till Next Time,

The Wine Saver

WINE'S CONVENTIAL WISDOM QUESTIONED

Hello,

I want to recommend Eric Asimov's "The Pour" article in today's New York Times -
You can use the link below.

Taking a Closer Look at Wine’s Conventional Wisdom
By ERIC ASIMOV
Published: October 10, 2007

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/10/dining/10pour.html?ex=1349755200&en=8a5bc99d1ebe5f6b&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

'Till Next Time,
The Wine Saver

WINESAVER'S FAVORITE EVERY DAY REDS

Hello Everyone:


Here is a list of WineSaver's top ten everyday reds. In order to make the list, a wine has to meet the following criteria:


1. Retail for under $25

2. Be generally available

3. Be something that I purchase again and again.


So, here, from #10 to #1, are the favorite reds:



10. Alexander and Fitch Anderson Vallen Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 ($6.00)


9. Bogle Old Vines Zinfandel 2005 ($12.00)


8. Beckman's Le Bec Red Wine 2005 ($18.00)


7. MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir 2005 ($16.00),


6. Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawara Shiraz 2004 ($24.99)


5. Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua 2005 ($12.00)


4. Qupe Syrah Central Coast 2005 ($16.00)


3. Greg Norman Estates Limestone Coast Shiraz 2004 ($13.99)


2. Penfold's Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet 2005 ($11.99)


1. Murphy-Goode Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 ($24.00)

What do you think?

'Till Next Time,
The WineSaver

AUSTRALIAN WINES AFFECTED BY DROUGHT

Hello,

The news about the projected effects of a massive drought on the Australian wine industry can be found at the following link:

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jy9-bOBDGwUFk3nl7iVak-Xf7hCA

As a big fan of Aussie wines, I trust that the effects are less than projected!

'Till Next Time,
The Wine Saver

THE TOP TEN WINE MYTHS

Hello:

A quick link to a great article on Pinotblogger - the Top Ten Wine Myths - enjoy!

http://www.pinotblogger.com/2006/07/29/top-10-wine-myths/

A RELIABLE RED

Hello,

Yesterday, I opened a bottle of a favorite Syrah.

The 2005 Qupe Central Coast Syrah ($16.50), is a very nice product. (label shown is from 2002).

From the Qupe website: The wine is: 93% Syrah, 4% Grenache, 2% Mourvèdre and 1% Counoise. The grapes come from 16 different vineyards in the Central Coast – 55% from Santa Barbara County; 39% from Paso Robles and 6% from the Arroyo Grande Valley. The most significant vineyard components in order of percentage are: Bien Nacido in Santa Maria, French Camp and Lonesome Oak in Paso Robles, and Chalbot Vineyard, a cool climate vineyard near Los Alamos in Santa Barbara County. Some of the other vineyards included in the blend are Vogelzang, Alisos, Stolpman, Colson Canyon, Black Oak, Windmill and Ibarra-Young (all Santa Barbara County).

It is generally available and is a very good value. I find it the equal of their single vineyard wines such as the Ben Nacido, which costs quite a bit more.

Look for spices, vanilla, strong fruit and great mouth feel - all at less than 14% alcohol. This is a nice wine to drink now or over the next two years.

Qupe's web site is: http://www.qupe.com/default.htm. They have tasting rooms in Solvang and Los Olivos.

Let me know what you think of Qupe wines.

'Till Next Time,

The Winesaver

MacMURRAY PINOT NOIR

Hello,

I enjoyed a nice Pinot Noir with dinner the other evening while attending a meeting at the LAX Hilton.

The 2005 MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir ($16.00), from the Sonoma Coast, went well with a Caesar Salad and a wonderful Cioppino. The wine can be had for $13.95 or so. It cost $45 at the restaurant. (I know.)

The wine has nice forward-fruit, black cherry and berry flavors, along with a sense of vanilla from the oak storage. You get a definite sense of an earthy terroir as well.

All in all, this is a wine I recommend.

'Till Next Time,
The Wine Saver