du Peloux chez Pelous

 I took this one for fun because the winemaker name is so close to mine. It comes from TJs at something like $5.99. It is not exceptional but acceptable for table wine. 

Chablis 2005

 Taste the difference! This one is very nice and for $8.99 at TJs. It is really easy to drink, well in the mouth, little wood with a nice balance between acidity and fruit.
No Kir with this one ;-)
I also did an interesting white wine testing last week-end in Santa Cruz and the winner was in fact a local Dry Riesling Bonny Doon at $8.99 at Cost Plus but which I think you may be able to find at TJs and other popular stores in the area. Very pleasant to drink by itself or with sea food. Next to other various whites under $10 this one was clearly above the others. A good one to consider.

South Africa SB (Part 2)

  For $3.99 at TJs this one is good...even without additives! I may revise my feeling for South African wine since I had a few bad experiences in the past.

South Africa SB (Part 1)

   First part of a South African Sauvignon Blancs review. This first one unfortunately is not exceptional as several others I have been testing before. It's a $4.99 buy from Grocery Outlet. As usual when the white wine is not friendly to the palate I mix it with Creme de Cassis or some Rose Syrop and the bottle is saved from the sewer.

Good Old Fart

  Can you believe they dare calling a French wine like this?! Well for $2.99, also at Grocery Outlet, I will not complain about the label when the content is correct.

Highfield NZ

 Wow! Another good deal! at $5.99 this Sauvignon blanc 2003 from New Zealand is even better than the precedent. The citrus is there, may be not as much as strong as usualy in Marlborough SB. I really like these wines, the taste has something artificial (how can a wine made 100% from grapes taste like this?!), difficult to describe but pleasant even addictive...well now that the price is not an obstacle I may drink NZ Sauvignon Blanc more often! Thanks to the Grocery Outlet! 

Caveau des Disciples

 and because these deals won't last I will share this other one: this Cotes du Rhone, le Caveayu des Disciples 2004, for $4.99 is a great deal. Back in the range of price for my table wine, it's a little young but taste typical from this area and even reminds of his big brother, the Chateauneuf, where it has been bottled by the way. So far 3 wines, 3 deals...I can't wait to open the next one ;-) Again these wines come from the Grocery Oulet in Oakland. 

Party!

 To continue with the good wine deals at the Grocery Outlet, here is an exceptional one: this Condrieu 2002 by Guigal at $16.99 is not only delicious but half the regular price. Seriously if I had some money to invest here I would buy cases of this one. I'm sure this will not last anyway since Condrieu is made in a very small area in France along the Rhone from Viognier grape. Today I open this bottle not very sure of what I would find inside and what kind of food would match with it but it ended up a huge success along with live oysters, smoked salmon (the best I ever had, just bought on the San Rafael farmer's market from local producer) and even the key lime cheese cake for dessert. 

NewZealand affordable

 With this wine I start reporting about my findings at the Grocery Outlet in Oakland: there are some treasures there. They also have another shop in Berkeley with different selection. Selection in fact which is always changing depending on the new arrivals. I heard that some amateurs who are familiar with this place are buying a bottle, open it on the parking lot, taste it and go back in store to buy a case or the stock if good! It's my second stop there and I already regret not to live East Bay any more ..or taste the samples on site ;-) This 2002 Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough (NZ) is totally delicious at my taste and for $4.99!! I have many more to taste and probably to share here.  

Sanchez family

 Very young (2005) Spanish wine, a mix of Tempranillo and Syrah, at a very good price a TJ ($4 or $5). First glass after opening the bottle I almost dump it in the sink as it felt little fuzzy! The next day it was in fact much pleasant and without being exceptional its price make it a potential guest for my table but it still not competes with the other Tempranillo Organically grown grappes from TJ listed earlier on this blog. (12/20) 

Mas des Bressades vs Petit Bock

 Nice wine from Pays du Gard, a little pricey ($18 at the Wine House) for its category but a strong value. Its a 2004 and it definitely can be kept a more years. At the same price I had a Petit Bock 2003, a Saint Estephe Cru Bourgeois yesterday which also deserve some time to mature. I may get a bottle of each, store them 2 years and open them together then. I think it would be interesting to compare Bordeaux and Languedoc in the same price range to answer the question: does a "cheap" Bordeaux better than an "expensive" Languedoc? (both 14/20)