291345 Thu Dec 26 20:18:33 -0800 2002 10 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1584840 There was an article in the SF Chronicle about Charles Shaw wines that are selling for $2 a bottle at Trader Joe's. According to the article they are pretty good. Anyone tried them? Are they houndworthy? The price is not the issue for me. I'm not a Trader Joe type person and I'm wondering if it's worth my time to get myself over to TJ's. Here's the article Link: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/12/26/WI64447.DTL Thu Dec 26 20:18:33 -0800 2002 0 Stanley Stephan 1 1584841 I did try them, after reading along on the thread on the LA board, because I am, after all, a cheap boozehound ;)...They're a whopping $2.99 on the East Coast...I tried the Merlot and Cabernet, because I am of a mind that it is eaiser to find a cheap red than a cheap white..They were very fruity and sweet, imagine all the nasty things people say about Beaujolais Nouveau, in a bad year, cranked up several notches...The merlot was just barely drinkable, on a blizard-y day, but for me, the cab spelled instant headache, so I cooked with that one... But if you DO get yourself over to Trader Joe's, the Ferrande Sauvignon Blanc, at $5.49, tastes like a $10-$12 bottle. Thu Dec 26 20:35:54 -0800 2002 1584840 0 galleygirl 2 1584878 I didn't think they were quite that bad, but I haven't bought them again either. I'd say drinkable if you're on your third bottle (maybe second). But as galleygirl points out, it's just not worth it when for just a buck or two (Shaw is $3 here in Chicago, too) more you can get some very nice wines at Trader Joe's--I've been particularly happy with a Nero D'Avola (Villa Cerina, sp?, I think) and a white wine from Bordeaux whose producer I can't recall (the only one at my store) that is quite refreshingly drinkable. Fri Dec 27 11:15:07 -0800 2002 1584841 0 Aaron D 1 1584880 I tried the Merlot, and it was really really bad. Tasted like spoiled Welch's. Fri Dec 27 11:39:53 -0800 2002 1584840 0 AlanH 1 1584992 The Charles Shaw wines at TJ are a relabled product. They were originally the wines that United Airlines served passengers. But since corckscrews were outlawed, and UAL is having something of a debt problem these days, they sold off they're stock of wines with corks. TJ bought and relabled as Charles Shaw. Sat Dec 28 12:32:42 -0800 2002 1584840 0 Gayla 2 1584998 That seems to be the myth that is going around. However, in the original post there's an article from the SF Chronicle that said the Shaws divorced and sold the winery in the early 90's. The Bronco Wine Co. bought the label and randomly decided to use the name this year for the Trader Joe's brand. The wine glut is responsible for the price. The article is below. I will keep the columist name in mind as someone who is not credible in terms of recommending wines. Hounds gave this a thumbs down. Link: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/12/26/WI64447.DTL Sat Dec 28 13:55:21 -0800 2002 1584992 0 Stanley Stephan 3 1585010 My source works in the restaurant industry in San Francisco. She's usually pretty well connected as far as the skinny on food related things. She's also usually more reliable than the Chron food section ;-), but she could be wrong on this. Who knows. If it's really an urban legend, it's a fun one............. Sat Dec 28 16:43:44 -0800 2002 1584998 0 Gayla 1 1585049 Thank God for the posts below. Do not drink Charles Shaw wine. Buy the more expensive stuff. You should be humiliated if your friends found out you are drinking a wine that sells for $1.99. We all know that only expensive wine is drinkable. Don't waste your time with Charles Shaw. And for heaven's sake don't let anyone see you hauling cases out of Trader Joe's. Sun Dec 29 02:53:34 -0800 2002 1584840 0 Jim H. 2 1585057 Actually, Jim, there are other $2.99 wines at Trader Joe's that I buy over and over, including the TJ's French Market Merlot and French Market Cabernet Sauvignon...The $2.99 Charles Shaw just isn't good, and I choose my $2.99 bottles of wine with more care. I'm only humiliated if my friends find me drinking wine that *tastes* bad.... Sun Dec 29 11:51:09 -0800 2002 1585049 0 galleygirl 3 1585228 I, too, am a $2.99 fan...for years drank J.W. Morris and Casa Terra...both good merlots. We happen to think Charles Shaw is better...but that's what makes horse races. Mon Dec 30 20:10:35 -0800 2002 1585057 0 Jim H. 4 1585229 Oh, well in that case, have one for me ;) Mon Dec 30 20:31:46 -0800 2002 1585228 0 galleygirl