Hi,
We just got a Trader Joe's food store in our town (North Carolina), when
I used to travel to California, I'd buy their cheap Charles Shaw Cab and
Saug Blanc wines for less than $3 (thus the nick name of 2 buck chuck).
Sure enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have input
on :
1. is it still the same taste? After all these years and millions (?) of
bottles.

2. Scale of 1-10, what do you think of this wine? his Cab. 10 being
wonderful.


thanks. DAve

I tell ya, I can go into an "average" restaurant here in Los Angeles, order
the average price "House" Merlot, and it RARELY is as good as the Charles
Shaw Merlot. I mean, you can obviously find many great Merlots for many
prices, but at the end of the day, it's an EXTREMELY drinkable wine, and for
$2?? Get outta here.
Two-buck-Chuck is a staple at my house, along with some high-end stuff as
well. c

"Dave Allison" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> We just got a Trader Joe's food store in our town (North Carolina), when I
> used to travel to California, I'd buy their cheap Charles Shaw Cab and
> Saug Blanc wines for less than $3 (thus the nick name of 2 buck chuck).
> Sure enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have input
> on :
> 1. is it still the same taste? After all these years and millions (?) of
> bottles.
>
> 2. Scale of 1-10, what do you think of this wine? his Cab. 10 being
> wonderful.
>
>
> thanks. DAve

thanks for the thought, Stig.

I went out this afternoon and got a Cab of 2 buck chuck. Had it with
homemade pizza - was very pleased. This is not a high end wine, but very
full, rich and drinkable. I wish I had the words like many do to
explain, but it was very good. Will not be my only wine, just one that
is good.

Any other thoughts?

DAve




I will try the Merlot and Saug Blanc next.



Stig wrote:
> I tell ya, I can go into an "average" restaurant here in Los Angeles, order
> the average price "House" Merlot, and it RARELY is as good as the Charles
> Shaw Merlot. I mean, you can obviously find many great Merlots for many
> prices, but at the end of the day, it's an EXTREMELY drinkable wine, and for
> $2?? Get outta here.
> Two-buck-Chuck is a staple at my house, along with some high-end stuff as
> well. c
>
> "Dave Allison" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi,
>> We just got a Trader Joe's food store in our town (North Carolina), when I
>> used to travel to California, I'd buy their cheap Charles Shaw Cab and
>> Saug Blanc wines for less than $3 (thus the nick name of 2 buck chuck).
>> Sure enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have input
>> on :
>> 1. is it still the same taste? After all these years and millions (?) of
>> bottles.
>>
>> 2. Scale of 1-10, what do you think of this wine? his Cab. 10 being
>> wonderful.
>>
>>
>> thanks. DAve
>
>

There are a lot of people out there who act if wine appreciation is an
arcane skill. If you like the wine and are curious try a more expensive
wine and see if you notice a difference in enjoyment. Don't let anyone tell
you or demean you about what you like.
"Dave Allison" > wrote in message
.. .
> thanks for the thought, Stig.
>
> I went out this afternoon and got a Cab of 2 buck chuck. Had it with
> homemade pizza - was very pleased. This is not a high end wine, but very
> full, rich and drinkable. I wish I had the words like many do to
> explain, but it was very good. Will not be my only wine, just one that
> is good.
>
> Any other thoughts?
>
> DAve
>
>
>
>
> I will try the Merlot and Saug Blanc next.
>
>
>
> Stig wrote:
> > I tell ya, I can go into an "average" restaurant here in Los Angeles,
order
> > the average price "House" Merlot, and it RARELY is as good as the
Charles
> > Shaw Merlot. I mean, you can obviously find many great Merlots for many
> > prices, but at the end of the day, it's an EXTREMELY drinkable wine, and
for
> > $2?? Get outta here.
> > Two-buck-Chuck is a staple at my house, along with some high-end stuff
as
> > well. c
> >
> > "Dave Allison" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> Hi,
> >> We just got a Trader Joe's food store in our town (North Carolina),
when I
> >> used to travel to California, I'd buy their cheap Charles Shaw Cab and
> >> Saug Blanc wines for less than $3 (thus the nick name of 2 buck chuck).
> >> Sure enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have
input
> >> on :
> >> 1. is it still the same taste? After all these years and millions (?)
of
> >> bottles.
> >>
> >> 2. Scale of 1-10, what do you think of this wine? his Cab. 10 being
> >> wonderful.
> >>
> >>
> >> thanks. DAve
> >
> >

Barf

Dave Allison wrote:
> Hi,
> We just got a Trader Joe's food store in our town (North Carolina), when
> I used to travel to California, I'd buy their cheap Charles Shaw Cab and
> Saug Blanc wines for less than $3 (thus the nick name of 2 buck chuck).
> Sure enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have input
> on :

I don't care for 2 buck chuck at all. Many people like it but to me
it's worth about $2. I find all their wines on par with Franzia box
wine. However, since many aren't as picky as I am it's a great cheap
wine to have out at mixed crowd get togethers.

Dave, don't let some of these snobs turn you off to great finds, not
everyone can afford $30-40 a night for a great bottle of wine, I am one of
them. I have had this merlot with burritos, sushi, steak, it works quite
well with them. Fu*k the critics, go with what works 4 U..c

"Stig" > wrote in message
. ..
>I tell ya, I can go into an "average" restaurant here in Los Angeles, order
>the average price "House" Merlot, and it RARELY is as good as the Charles
>Shaw Merlot. I mean, you can obviously find many great Merlots for many
>prices, but at the end of the day, it's an EXTREMELY drinkable wine, and
>for $2?? Get outta here.
> Two-buck-Chuck is a staple at my house, along with some high-end stuff as
> well. c
>
> "Dave Allison" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi,
>> We just got a Trader Joe's food store in our town (North Carolina), when
>> I used to travel to California, I'd buy their cheap Charles Shaw Cab and
>> Saug Blanc wines for less than $3 (thus the nick name of 2 buck chuck).
>> Sure enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have input
>> on :
>> 1. is it still the same taste? After all these years and millions (?) of
>> bottles.
>>
>> 2. Scale of 1-10, what do you think of this wine? his Cab. 10 being
>> wonderful.
>>
>>
>> thanks. DAve
>
>

In article >,
says...
>
>Hi,
>We just got a Trader Joe's food store in our town (North Carolina), when
>I used to travel to California, I'd buy their cheap Charles Shaw Cab and
>Saug Blanc wines for less than $3 (thus the nick name of 2 buck chuck).
>Sure enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have input
>on :
>1. is it still the same taste? After all these years and millions (?) of
>bottles.
>
>2. Scale of 1-10, what do you think of this wine? his Cab. 10 being
>wonderful.
>
>
>thanks. DAve

Dave,

Going back to the days when the TV ENG cameras were all poised outside of TJ's
to film the folk with case, upon case of $2Chuck, I tasted most of it. I was
less than impressed, regardless of price. However, with wines like this, with
totally "sourced" fruit, what you buy today, may not bare any resemblance to
what you buy tomorrow. Also, as Joe, or someone else stated, if one likes a
wine, the rest of the world "be-damned." While I do not go in search of value
wines, I don't mind saving a few $s, if the wine rewards me. I hit upon a SA
Bdx. blend, some years back for US$12/btl. I do not care what it cost me, but
it gave me great pleasure. In my circle, I turned a dozen folk onto it, and
they were also impressed. Unfortunately, it is not available in my area - oh
well, on to the next bottle. It is about what brings one pleasure, and nothing
more.

Some day I'll try the Whatever$ Chuck again, but, until I do, I will recall
the less than satisfactory wines, that I encountered years ago. With so many
wines out there, it may take me some years to get back to it.

To your direct question: I'd rate the Cab & Merlot, that I tasted, as 1, on a
1-10 scale. At that rating, you could pay me US$3 and I would not drink it,
but that was then, this is now.

Hunt

I agree with Joe and Stig...

If you like 2 Buck Chuck you should drink it!!! Everyone has differing
pallets and think of it this way...if you like it for $2.00...imagine how
much you save. Then as Joe suggested try other more expensive and at least
see of you can tell the difference.

enjoy.



"Joe "Beppe"Rosenberg" > wrote in message
...
> There are a lot of people out there who act if wine appreciation is an
> arcane skill. If you like the wine and are curious try a more expensive
> wine and see if you notice a difference in enjoyment. Don't let anyone
> tell
> you or demean you about what you like.
> "Dave Allison" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> thanks for the thought, Stig.
>>
>> I went out this afternoon and got a Cab of 2 buck chuck. Had it with
>> homemade pizza - was very pleased. This is not a high end wine, but very
>> full, rich and drinkable. I wish I had the words like many do to
>> explain, but it was very good. Will not be my only wine, just one that
>> is good.
>>
>> Any other thoughts?
>>
>> DAve
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I will try the Merlot and Saug Blanc next.
>>
>>
>>
>> Stig wrote:
>> > I tell ya, I can go into an "average" restaurant here in Los Angeles,
> order
>> > the average price "House" Merlot, and it RARELY is as good as the
> Charles
>> > Shaw Merlot. I mean, you can obviously find many great Merlots for many
>> > prices, but at the end of the day, it's an EXTREMELY drinkable wine,
>> > and
> for
>> > $2?? Get outta here.
>> > Two-buck-Chuck is a staple at my house, along with some high-end stuff
> as
>> > well. c
>> >
>> > "Dave Allison" > wrote in message
>> > ...
>> >> Hi,
>> >> We just got a Trader Joe's food store in our town (North Carolina),
> when I
>> >> used to travel to California, I'd buy their cheap Charles Shaw Cab and
>> >> Saug Blanc wines for less than $3 (thus the nick name of 2 buck
>> >> chuck).
>> >> Sure enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have
> input
>> >> on :
>> >> 1. is it still the same taste? After all these years and millions (?)
> of
>> >> bottles.
>> >>
>> >> 2. Scale of 1-10, what do you think of this wine? his Cab. 10 being
>> >> wonderful.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> thanks. DAve
>> >
>> >
>
>

In article >,
says...
>
>Dave, don't let some of these snobs turn you off to great finds, not
>everyone can afford $30-40 a night for a great bottle of wine, I am one of
>them. I have had this merlot with burritos, sushi, steak, it works quite
>well with them. Fu*k the critics, go with what works 4 U..c

[SNIP]

As you say, it is, "what works 4 U." My wife cannot understand what I see in
aged white Burgs. She thinks that all the wonderful fruit is gone. She may be
right, but I still like the older guys. "Different strokes... "

Hunt

Stig wrote:
> Dave, don't let some of these snobs turn you off to great finds, not
> everyone can afford $30-40 a night for a great bottle of wine, I am one of
> them. I have had this merlot with burritos, sushi, steak, it works quite
> well with them. Fu*k the critics, go with what works 4 U..c

I can't afford $30-$40 a night for wine either. But I can afford $8-$10
and there are quite a few very nice wines for that price range. But I
do agree with you. A wine is worth what the individual drinker makes of
it. I often don't agree with many so called professional ratings.

in article , Dave Allison at
wrote on 11/28/06 8:08 AM:
enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have input
> on :
> 1. is it still the same taste? After all these years and millions (?) of
> bottles.
>
> 2. Scale of 1-10, what do you think of this wine? his Cab. 10 being
> wonderful.
>
>
> thanks. DAve

There really is no way the wine can be consistent with something North of 15
million total cases sold each year. I tried it when it first became
available and thought it compared well with wines of $6-7.... a pretty good
deal. I tried the Cab again, a couple years later, and found it to be
pretty vile stuff. Maybe my tastes had changed, maybe not. One of my
favorite wines, a few years back, was Rex Goliath Pinot Noir (at around
$8-9). Now I can't find a decent Pinot for under $20. That's more me, I
think, but partly a market that has gone somewhat nuts for Pinot.

Bottom line, though, is that I'd agree with those here who've said that you
should drink what you like and not worry about what anyone else says about
it. Why pay more if you're happy at $2??

In article >, Midlife >
wrote:

> in article , Dave Allison at
> wrote on 11/28/06 8:08 AM:
> enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have input
> > on :
> > 1. is it still the same taste? After all these years and millions (?) of
> > bottles.
> >
> > 2. Scale of 1-10, what do you think of this wine? his Cab. 10 being
> > wonderful.
> >
> >
> > thanks. DAve
>
> There really is no way the wine can be consistent with something North of 15
> million total cases sold each year. I tried it when it first became
> available and thought it compared well with wines of $6-7.... a pretty good
> deal. I tried the Cab again, a couple years later, and found it to be
> pretty vile stuff. Maybe my tastes had changed, maybe not. One of my
> favorite wines, a few years back, was Rex Goliath Pinot Noir (at around
> $8-9). Now I can't find a decent Pinot for under $20. That's more me, I
> think, but partly a market that has gone somewhat nuts for Pinot.
>
> Bottom line, though, is that I'd agree with those here who've said that you
> should drink what you like and not worry about what anyone else says about
> it. Why pay more if you're happy at $2??

I have tasted variation on bottles bought from the same store at the
same time that came from different lots and the variation can range from
OK/pleasant C, 80 point wines to stuff that will take the enamel off of
your teeth. This was true across the board for all varietals because I
have friends who are enamored of it since we just got a Trader Joes in
the area. I think the thrill of walking out of a store with a $36 + tax
case skews people into thinking they get good wine that way. It is the
old quantity versus quality. I have found good $12 bottles of wine that
would get me a 1/4 case at $36 with a much better taste outcome.

Wow. me too. I can relate to your comments, some. 47 Pound Rooster Pinot
Noir was a hit for me for a couple years. Now I find it missing something.

The comments were wonderful from everyone. I will re-read them, but
guess I should enjoy $2.99 Buck Chuck until I get tired of it.

Ghee - that's it! We evolve, drink what you like today, because tomorrow
we will change. smile.

Another good thing for me - I make my own wines, so re-using the bottles
of a $2.99 versus a $40 bottle is great. Hmm. Maybe I am letting that
influence me. snicker.

thanks, to all.

DAve



Midlife wrote:
> in article , Dave Allison at
> wrote on 11/28/06 8:08 AM:
> enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have input
>> on :
>> 1. is it still the same taste? After all these years and millions (?) of
>> bottles.
>>
>> 2. Scale of 1-10, what do you think of this wine? his Cab. 10 being
>> wonderful.
>>
>>
>> thanks. DAve
>
> There really is no way the wine can be consistent with something North of 15
> million total cases sold each year. I tried it when it first became
> available and thought it compared well with wines of $6-7.... a pretty good
> deal. I tried the Cab again, a couple years later, and found it to be
> pretty vile stuff. Maybe my tastes had changed, maybe not. One of my
> favorite wines, a few years back, was Rex Goliath Pinot Noir (at around
> $8-9). Now I can't find a decent Pinot for under $20. That's more me, I
> think, but partly a market that has gone somewhat nuts for Pinot.
>
> Bottom line, though, is that I'd agree with those here who've said that you
> should drink what you like and not worry about what anyone else says about
> it. Why pay more if you're happy at $2??
>

> Barf

That's how I normally definie wine snobs who try to valuate a wine they
only paid $2-3 a bottle for.

David

Midlife wrote:
> There really is no way the wine can be consistent with something North of 15
> million total cases sold each year. I tried it when it first became
> available and thought it compared well with wines of $6-7.... a pretty good
> deal. I tried the Cab again, a couple years later, and found it to be
> pretty vile stuff. Maybe my tastes had changed, maybe not. One of my
> favorite wines, a few years back, was Rex Goliath Pinot Noir (at around
> $8-9). Now I can't find a decent Pinot for under $20. That's more me, I
> think, but partly a market that has gone somewhat nuts for Pinot.

No, more like a market that has figured out how to rape your wallet for
at least $20. Keep looking. Harder.


> Bottom line, though, is that I'd agree with those here who've said that you
> should drink what you like and not worry about what anyone else says about
> it. Why pay more if you're happy at $2??

Because it obviously can't compare to your need for a (wasted) $20
Pinot. Try making your own. Like I am.

David

Richard Neidich wrote:
> I agree with Joe and Stig...
>
> If you like 2 Buck Chuck you should drink it!!! Everyone has differing
> pallets and think of it this way...if you like it for $2.00...imagine how
> much you save. Then as Joe suggested try other more expensive and at least
> see of you can tell the difference.

Cheers Dick. That's exactly my sentiments. Don't like the price? Move
to France. Get used to $2 (and good) wines. Vive la résistance!

David

Should start an entire new thread on this but here goes.

Pricing on wine in USA is high. And for the most part our consumption per
capita is low. I do not have the exact statistics. So even if we grow in
consumption its still lower than France, Italy, Spain, Portugall Argentina
etc.

One of the big dfferences is the availability of very good inexpensive daily
drinking wine. Which really does not exist here.

What two buck did was nothing different that they have in Spain every day.
The grocery stores there have lots of inexpensive Rioja for under $3.00 USA
that the same bottles sell for over $20 here.

Today we are in a phase or marketing where a new product comes out and is at
Niemen Marcus, Nordstrom.....eventually it gets to Belk, Sears, JC
Penny.....but when its available at Walmart, Target its gone mainstream and
will achieve critical mass. With crtitcal mass the market pressures bring
pricing down.

Austrailia, while a much younger wine country is there already.

Why we are not getting there I am not sure. Our culture, perhaps the
religious right something is keeping us from developing.

The result is we have 3 tier distribution in many a state that keeps pricing
high, large wineries make big money, small ones make a living. Consumers
pay more. Why?



"Dave" > wrote in message
ups.com...

Richard Neidich wrote:
> I agree with Joe and Stig...
>
> If you like 2 Buck Chuck you should drink it!!! Everyone has differing
> pallets and think of it this way...if you like it for $2.00...imagine how
> much you save. Then as Joe suggested try other more expensive and at
> least
> see of you can tell the difference.

Cheers Dick. That's exactly my sentiments. Don't like the price? Move
to France. Get used to $2 (and good) wines. Vive la résistance!

David

Richard Neidich wrote:

> The result is we have 3 tier distribution in many a state that keeps pricing
> high, large wineries make big money, small ones make a living. Consumers
> pay more. Why?

Politicians cater to the big distributors who lobby them. In most
states consumers can't order wines from small wineries. The only wines
available to them are the ones brought in by the distributors.

so again, market forces are not working due to government intervention.
"miles" > wrote in message
...
> Richard Neidich wrote:
>
>> The result is we have 3 tier distribution in many a state that keeps
>> pricing high, large wineries make big money, small ones make a living.
>> Consumers pay more. Why?
>
> Politicians cater to the big distributors who lobby them. In most states
> consumers can't order wines from small wineries. The only wines available
> to them are the ones brought in by the distributors.

wow! So many thoughts. Thanks all. Tonight we do stir-fry (beef and
veggies)- so am trying a Charles Shaw Shiraz at $2.99 locally. I opened
an hour ago and just tried a little taste now - wow. How can you argue
with "worth every penny you paid for it?". ha. Pretty good. Beats Azure
Bay Shiraz, which was my low end Shiraz favorite up to this point.

BTW, I have read each of your thoughts. Thanks.

DAve


Dave Allison wrote:
> Hi,
> We just got a Trader Joe's food store in our town (North Carolina), when
> I used to travel to California, I'd buy their cheap Charles Shaw Cab and
> Saug Blanc wines for less than $3 (thus the nick name of 2 buck chuck).
> Sure enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have input
> on :
> 1. is it still the same taste? After all these years and millions (?) of
> bottles.
>
> 2. Scale of 1-10, what do you think of this wine? his Cab. 10 being
> wonderful.
>
>
> thanks. DAve