DiningBuzz! - Two Buck Chuck

This is an odd one. I don't live in the states anymore but I've had multiple friends raving about a wine called "Two-Buck-Chuck" and that I must try it on my next visit. Is it really possible that a $2 wine could not only be drinkable but not bad? When I heard that name all I could think of was Boone's Farm. If I bought a two euro bottle of Bourgogne Rouge here I'd be saving the world by dumping it out.

This is an odd one. I don't live in the states anymore but I've had multiple friends raving about a wine called "Two-Buck-Chuck" and that I must try it on my next visit. Is it really possible that a $2 wine could not only be drinkable but not bad? When I heard that name all I could think of was Boone's Farm. If I bought a two euro bottle of Bourgogne Rouge here I'd be saving the world by dumping it out.

It is at Trader Joes and not bad but not a everyday wine.IMHO

Two buck chuck is actually $3-4 here in Seattle. It can be decent if you get a good batch, but I generally only buy it when I need some to cook with.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3076201/ns/today-food/

I just polished off a bottle of the Charles Shaw (the Trader Joe's brand) Shiraz, and it occurred to me that it was better than any of the "free" house wines I've had at the airport lounges recently.

No, it's not the best, but when I'm home alone it's nice to have a glass or two (or three) after work without carting out the good ($$) stuff, and at $2 a bottle, it's an excellent value for me. YMMV depending on how particular you are about wine.

I just polished off a bottle of the Charles Shaw (the Trader Joe's brand) Shiraz, and it occurred to me that it was better than any of the "free" house wines I've had at the airport lounges recently.


That's an interesting discussion in and of itself and deserves it's own thread. I generally like the free wines in the lounges here in Europe, particularly in LIS where they often have a Monte da Cal Reserva I like. Do any lounges in the states still have free wine, or were you overseas?

As for Two Buck Chuck, it is hard to argue with the mostly positive responses so far. If it is really decent I wonder why they don't charge just a little bit more to avoid the stigma. Seems like the demand is there.

a few years back, there was a glut of high quality california grapes on the market and charles shaw snatched them up. they really were $2/bottle, and they really were good. the good grapes are long gone, but the reputation lives on.

Make sure you shake it in a cocktail shaker (or use a whisk).:)

a few years back, there was a glut of high quality california grapes on the market and charles shaw snatched them up. they really were $2/bottle, and they really were good. the good grapes are long gone, but the reputation lives on.

This. ^

The myth lives on but the reality isn't so great. I'd rather get a higher-end box wine for when I want a glass or two.

Two previous threads on the vino:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/diningbuzz/708955-two-buck-chuck-wins-cal-expo-gold.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/diningbuzz/308293-trader-joes-two-buck-chuck-sucks.html

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a few years back, there was a glut of high quality california grapes on the market and charles shaw snatched them up. they really were $2/bottle, and they really were good. the good grapes are long gone, but the reputation lives on.

Not necessarily - there are good grapes that can come and go. But one bottle can be, i.e., as good as a $10+ bottle, and the next, not so much. "Charles Shaw" is merely one of Bronco Wine Company's 50+ labels. Some of them are actually available in airport lounges and restaurants, and aren't available for retail sale, so you have no idea what the price point is. And, it isn't any better than the $2 Chuck. And some of the brands are much better.

For $2, you could do worse. On the other hand, I do not remember the last time I bought it.

That's an interesting discussion in and of itself and deserves it's own thread. I generally like the free wines in the lounges here in Europe, particularly in LIS where they often have a Monte da Cal Reserva I like. Do any lounges in the states still have free wine, or were you overseas?

As for Two Buck Chuck, it is hard to argue with the mostly positive responses so far. If it is really decent I wonder why they don't charge just a little bit more to avoid the stigma. Seems like the demand is there.

I'm thinking of the "free" wines in domestic U.S. airline lounges. For whatever reason, the self-service wines in lounges outside the U.S. are usually much better.

Don't tell Trader Joe's, but I wouldn't mind paying an extra buck for their Chuck. I like being able to open a bottle without worrying about the cost; I'm essentially getting a bottle for what a glass is worth.

It's 3.99. It may taste 5.99, but never 9.99.

Think UA lounge wine.

OP, I've never had the wine you mention, but you may be surprised to find what some Trader Joe's stock in the alcohol section. (Varies widely by store and state)

Some have a pretty big range of German beers, not surprising considering the ownership of Trader Joe's.

Don't tell Trader Joe's, but I wouldn't mind paying an extra buck for their Chuck. I like being able to open a bottle without worrying about the cost; I'm essentially getting a bottle for what a glass is worth.

As implied above everyone outside of California pays an extra $1 for the Chuck, $3 chuck doesn't rhyme so well though ;) I haven't had a decent "higher-end" box wine since the wine grape glut passed either so for the price $2 is alright enough. Particularly for cooking or mulling.

Regarding beer the German beers I've gotten at chez TJ didn't transport well and ergo aren't worth purchasing imo. The annual Christmas beer is very good, and at $5 for an ale on lees, well worth it. Brewed by Unibroue of Quebec.

I've never bought beer there either, just interested to see the wide range some of the stores carry. I like to try and determine which items are hiding under the Trader Joe house brands. They have a lot of items from western Europe in the stores. Latest new product is Lotus speculoos spread ie Biscoff spread, hiding under something such as 'cookie spread'.

But this year they really seemed to cut back on the German and French Christmas products (although admittedly I was only in two stores in two states recently)

Drink up on day one, because you'll have to pour it out on day 2. ;)

dh

I just polished off a bottle of the Charles Shaw (the Trader Joe's brand) Shiraz, and it occurred to me that it was better than any of the "free" house wines I've had at the airport lounges recently.

No, it's not the best, but when I'm home alone it's nice to have a glass or two (or three) after work without carting out the good ($$) stuff, and at $2 a bottle, it's an excellent value for me. YMMV depending on how particular you are about wine.

IMHO, the Shiraz is the best of the bunch. Drinkable, and eminently suitable for cooking.

But I have found some Malbecs for under $4 that are noticeably better.

I just polished off a bottle of the Charles Shaw (the Trader Joe's brand) Shiraz


+1 - A friend of the family brought a bottle over on Thanksgiving and I actually enjoyed it. A few years back the Cab and Merlot were good, but the last time I had some I did care for it.

Drink up on day one, because you'll have to pour it out on day 2. ;)

dh

Something tells me you have no personal experience with either day 1 or day 2 of your statement. :D

Drink up on day one, because you'll have to pour it out on day 2. ;)

dh

That doesn't happen for us once the cork is out the bottle is done don't want any of that bad air affecting the quality of the $2.00 purchase!

A Charles Shaw evening:

Living in Switzerland, I travel on business which includes North America. I was asked to purchase a crystal decanter for a collegue in California last year, and ballistically packaged it made the trip intact, and was punctually delivered.

I presented the new owner his gift, and he said " Come over Saturday night " adding with a wink " We'll have some fun. "

At dinner I was introduced by our host, who explained where I was from and that I travelled to Italy frequently. He then put the now filled decanter on the table, describing how expensive a good wine like Gaja could actually be in Italy. The eyes began to look at the ruby-glowing decanter, more than the host, his wife, or his guest as the newly appointed wine enthusiast guest ( and a cohort to our host's rib ). Seeing what was coming, it was hard to keep a straight face that evening.

He went on, and on, more long stories about expensive Italian wines. Nods from a few of the better bred guests were following the spoken visionary wine producing landscape of Tuscany, Piedmont, Siena. Lips were being moistened, throats swallowing, and obviously getting dryer. The speech was no doubt torturous to a few.

Finally the host's wife stepped in 30-40 minutes later, chidding her husband to allow the now-well aerated wine to finally be served. At this point he graciously apologized, and passed the decanter around, giving me another wink and a smile.

You can well imagine the adjectives: " A simply amazing vintage .., " " Outstanding wine production . . , " You can always tell a good European wine . ., " and to me the best one of the evening " Nothing like that here . " Everyone was gushing over the great wine that evening.

I was told much later, when the guests were leaving, and the "coast was clear, " that the " Epic wine " decanted that evening was in fact a good value purchase from Trader Joes. And hidden somewhere deep in the dust bin outside, well away from any curious guests lingering around, was an empty bottle of Charles Shaw Shiraz.

OP, I've never had the wine you mention, but you may be surprised to find what some Trader Joe's stock in the alcohol section. (Varies widely by store and state)

Some have a pretty big range of German beers, not surprising considering the ownership of Trader Joe's.

I'll check TJ's out the next time I'm there. I hear a lot of people gushing about Costco also. I usually spend two or three weeks a year at company headquarters in NOVA/DC, which is right above a Target. I will even admit to buying wines there more than once on my way out of work last year.

And hidden somewhere deep in the dust bin outside, well away from any curious guests lingering around, was an empty bottle of Charles Shaw Shiraz.

Last night at our house was a perfect example of this thread. Our first bottle of wine was a 25 euro Barolo, brought by a house guest, that was opened with much fanfare and which turned out to be very disappointing. Second bottle was a 6 euro St. Joseph Shiraz from Northern Rhone, which blew everyone away. Go figure

Drink up on day one, because you'll have to pour it out on day 2. ;)

dh

Something tells me you have no personal experience with either day 1 or day 2 of your statement. :D

When CS first hit the streets several years ago, there was a lot of fuss about them. On a biz trip to LA, I bought 3 bottles to take home. In those days, you could carry on wine. ;) I was a little ticked off at myself for 'wasting' 3 bottles of carry on with this stuff, since I normally purchased 3 bottles of good wine. But what the heck. If it was good, I'd be a genius. If not, only 6 bucks thrown out. :D The first night the wine was surprisingly good. Now if this was really good wine, it should have improved on the second night, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

dh

But I have found some Malbecs for under $4 that are noticeably better.

I once found good Malbec's for $4 in the US too.

Sadly, those years are long gone.

I was told much later, when the guests were leaving, and the "coast was clear, " that the " Epic wine " decanted that evening was in fact a good value purchase from Trader Joes. And hidden somewhere deep in the dust bin outside, well away from any curious guests lingering around, was an empty bottle of Charles Shaw Shiraz.

I hate how some people like to play games with wine. I guess this was the reverse, trying to show wine snobs that they can't tell good wine from bad. The story would have been better if he had brought out the CS bottle with a flourish and showed them all what they had been drinking. I like to think that I could tell the difference between Charles Shaw aka Two Buck Chuck and a good wine. Two Buck Chuck is just nasty. I've tried it several times and it is just not drinkable. Trader Joes does have some amazing wines, including a $5 South American Carmenere but I don't think I'd care for most of the wine they sell.

A Charles Shaw evening:

Living in Switzerland, I travel on business which includes North America. I was asked to purchase a crystal decanter for a collegue in California last year, and ballistically packaged it made the trip intact, and was punctually delivered.

I presented the new owner his gift, and he said " Come over Saturday night " adding with a wink " We'll have some fun. "

At dinner I was introduced by our host, who explained where I was from and that I travelled to Italy frequently. He then put the now filled decanter on the table, describing how expensive a good wine like Gaja could actually be in Italy. The eyes began to look at the ruby-glowing decanter, more than the host, his wife, or his guest as the newly appointed wine enthusiast guest ( and a cohort to our host's rib ). Seeing what was coming, it was hard to keep a straight face that evening.

He went on, and on, more long stories about expensive Italian wines. Nods from a few of the better bred guests were following the spoken visionary wine producing landscape of Tuscany, Piedmont, Siena. Lips were being moistened, throats swallowing, and obviously getting dryer. The speech was no doubt torturous to a few.

Finally the host's wife stepped in 30-40 minutes later, chidding her husband to allow the now-well aerated wine to finally be served. At this point he graciously apologized, and passed the decanter around, giving me another wink and a smile.

You can well imagine the adjectives: " A simply amazing vintage .., " " Outstanding wine production . . , " You can always tell a good European wine . ., " and to me the best one of the evening " Nothing like that here . " Everyone was gushing over the great wine that evening.

I was told much later, when the guests were leaving, and the "coast was clear, " that the " Epic wine " decanted that evening was in fact a good value purchase from Trader Joes. And hidden somewhere deep in the dust bin outside, well away from any curious guests lingering around, was an empty bottle of Charles Shaw Shiraz.

Bravo!

Do you guys have Trade Joe's wine shops? We have one on 14 street near Union Square (Manhattan) that is great. size of a usual wine shop here and with quite a selection. Prices are awesome as most TJ items are. I tend to go Spanish or Chilean for wine and they have at least 10 of each ranging from $4 to $20.

Trader Joe varies tremendously by state (and even within a state). I have been to one in almost every state I have visited where there is a Trader Joe.

Yours is one of the nicest I have seen. This year I only managed to visit one before Christmas and was really disappointed in the lack of European goodies, but I was at one of their lesser stores.

Product ranges really vary from store to store, which I do find frustrating if I am looking for something in particular. I also get mildly annoyed with the products which disappear for months, only to reappear seemingly without reason. (Sorry, I know, off topic to the wine discussion, but on topic for the varied selection by store)

And I am not happy that lack of sales resulted in the disappearance of German black bread with hazelnuts and cranberries, and the peanut/dried strawberry 'PBJ' nut mix.

I love Trader's Joe Charles Shaw. The best Two Buck Chuck there is. I'm fortunate that we have many Trader's Joe in Southern California.

When CS first hit the streets several years ago, there was a lot of fuss about them. On a biz trip to LA, I bought 3 bottles to take home. In those days, you could carry on wine. ;) I was a little ticked off at myself for 'wasting' 3 bottles of carry on with this stuff, since I normally purchased 3 bottles of good wine. But what the heck. If it was good, I'd be a genius. If not, only 6 bucks thrown out. :D The first night the wine was surprisingly good. Now if this was really good wine, it should have improved on the second night, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

dh

Who has wine left over after the first night?

The most impressive thing about this wine is that, per the latest edition of the Inside Flyer, they've sold about 600,000,000 bottles of the stuff since it was introduced ten years ago. Genius

The most impressive thing about this wine is that, per the latest edition of the Inside Flyer, they've sold about 600,000,000 bottles of the stuff since it was introduced ten years ago. Genius

Yes it is quite amazing, it does have loyal buyers but such volume. Market it and they will buy!!

Drink up on day one, because you'll have to pour it out on day 2. ;)

dh

Is this on the label??? Not

Finally got around to trying this. I picked up a bottle of the 2011 shiraz today. I would drink it if I had nothing else but I definitely would not buy it again.

Wretched plonk, all of it. I wouldn't even cook w/it. Do yourself a favor, spend another dollar, and buy yourself some Vinas Chillenas Sauv Blc. It's more than decent. Best TJ's deal I know of) But their red isn't so great (I here). wj

A friend of mine has discovered a wine recently at HEB supermarkets that might also be available elsewhere. It costs $3. It's a Californian Merlot from a company (ironically) called Cul-de-Sac. And it's really decent even without decanting or aerating it.

I'd say it's better than the stuff they serve as house wine in airport lounges.

Till

I'd say it's better than the stuff they serve as house wine in airport lounges.

Till

the rcc lounge at iad serves virginia cab for 11 bucks a glass. then a tip. ugly, ugly wine.

Thanks, I'll be on the lookout for the $11 "Virgin" cabernet. ;)

Till

A friend of mine has discovered a wine recently at HEB supermarkets that might also be available elsewhere. It costs $3. It's a Californian Merlot from a company (ironically) called Cul-de-Sac. And it's really decent even without decanting or aerating it.

I'd say it's better than the stuff they serve as house wine in airport lounges.

Till

I picked up a bottle at the recommendation of a friend, a women who works for HEB and was formerly the "Wine Lady" at my store. It actually wasn't bad at all, certainly as good as some "Blind Buys" on Cal Merlot in the $10 range.

"2 Buck Chuck"? Well for $2, you can't expect much, but I can't resist the urge, when I'm in a Joe's (which means Houston these days, no local store). We don't drink many whites, and sure wouldn't serve the $2 version to friends or foes, but I'll confess to having drawn more than $2 worth of pleasure from a couple of the reds over the years.

Then there's Coq au Vin and Beef Bourguignon....
I doubt that most, many or even a few of us could tell the difference between Chuck and far more expensive wines.

But then, as a young naval officer ashore in Italy, I recall a couple of 300 lira (a little less than 50 cents in 1963) liters with crown caps which were within my price and quality limits.

I picked up a bottle at the recommendation of a friend, a women who works for HEB and was formerly the "Wine Lady" at my store. It actually wasn't bad at all, certainly as good as some "Blind Buys" on Cal Merlot in the $10 range.



Thanks for the endorsement, Oliver. :)

Your description is quite accurate.

My go-to red is the Llano Signature Meritage (from Lubbock, TX of all places). That's usually around $9. And I am not sure if I'd call it three times as good as the Cul de Sac.

BTW, in a different price bracket, has anyone tried the Caymus Conundrum white ($17-20)? I think it's quite an extraordinary beverage and don't know anything quite like it.

Till

I picked up a bottle at the recommendation of a friend, a women who works for HEB and was formerly the "Wine Lady" at my store. It actually wasn't bad at all, certainly as good as some "Blind Buys" on Cal Merlot in the $10 range.

"2 Buck Chuck"? Well for $2, you can't expect much, but I can't resist the urge, when I'm in a Joe's (which means Houston these days, no local store). We don't drink many whites, and sure wouldn't serve the $2 version to friends or foes, but I'll confess to having drawn more than $2 worth of pleasure from a couple of the reds over the years.

Then there's Coq au Vin and Beef Bourguignon....
I doubt that most, many or even a few of us could tell the difference between Chuck and far more expensive wines.

But then, as a young naval officer ashore in Italy, I recall a couple of 300 lira (a little less than 50 cents in 1963) liters with crown caps which were within my price and quality limits.

I am not a wine snob but I'm pretty sure that I could tell the difference between Two Buck Chuck or another low priced wine. I find Two Buck Chuck to be especially vile. Maybe I had a bad year, I'm just not willing to try it again. I have found a really nice $5 Panilonco Carmenere at Trader Joes, so not everything there is bad. Most of my wine buying is in the $10-$20 range.

As I recall, the TJ Charles Shaw Merlot is an excellent wine for cooking Pollo Del Cacciatore / Hunter's Chicken, with a sip on the side during the process.

I am not a wine snob but I'm pretty sure that I could tell the difference between Two Buck Chuck or another low priced wine.

I think Oliver meant that once it is cooked at high temperature for two hours in a dish one wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

There maybe a nice coherence when you make the dish with the wine it is eaten with but pouring a half bottle (easily needed for those dishes) of really good stuff in the pot and cooking it, just doesn't feel right. I'd do that with a $10 bottle but not with a $40 bottle.

Till

I'd do that with a $10 bottle but not with a $40 bottle.

Till

Some would say that $10 is a good bottle, and others would say that $40 is not. :p

Husband picked up a bottle of the 3$ Cul De Sac red at CM (a dead end indeed!) and I couldn't finish my glass, but I opened a bottle of the $1.97 Pacific Peak Cab from the recent Total Wine grand opening and it was quite drinkable with our homemade pizza!

Last night at our house was a perfect example of this thread. Our first bottle of wine was a 25 euro Barolo, brought by a house guest, that was opened with much fanfare and which turned out to be very disappointing.

A really good Barolo is certainly worth the all the fanfare, but, sadly, I don't think there are many really nice Barolo's available for 25 Euros.

That is a great point as I found with the Chateauneuf du Papes on the other thread

Now $2.49 in California. First price rise in 11 years.

How would this Two Buck Chuck compare to something like Barefoot? Better or worse?

How would this Two Buck Chuck compare to something like Barefoot? Better or worse?

Probably about the same...but variable depending on the vagaries of the vintages they put in the blend.

I was hoping it's better because I tried Barefoot once and quite frankly the only way I'd consider getting a bottle again is if it were handed out for free.

I'm no wine connoisseur, 99% of the wines I drink are from Chile (sometimes Argentina) or Australia (lately NZ as well) and are well-priced but it has to be at least drinkable. Barefoot happened to fail that test. ;)

How would this Two Buck Chuck compare to something like Barefoot? Better or worse?

Trader Joes has much better wines around the $8-10 price point. Try the Panilonco Carmenere from Chile if you can get it. Two Buck Chuck is only good as drain cleaner. Barefoot isn't much better. :(