Originally Posted by
lhgreengrd1
Costco actually sells a very wide range of stuff at some of the best prices around. IMHO, their selection in locations like the SF Bay Area actually rivals K&L and the Wine Club, and their prices tend to be a dollar or two lower for the same stuff. I'm curious how the exact same wines, when sold at K&L, become "quite delicious", yet they are mass market swill when Costco sells the same bottles? As an example, one of my favorite wines is Chateau Montelena estate cabernet, and another is Dominus. Neither of these cabs would be considered "mass market swill", but Costco sells them for the best prices around. They also sell fine classed-growth Bordeaux, Burgundies, Rhones, Barolos and Barbarescos from producers like Gaja, They also sell many of the best wines one can buy anywhere for $7-15 a bottle, and they have a better selection of value reds from places like Spain and Portugal than K&L does. And they presently have several interesting St. Emilions for sale.
Which is not meant to denigrate K&L, it's a very fine wine retailer. But so is Costco.
And I'm pretty sure that good Cotes du Rhones are sold at Costco, and even most supermarkets.
I seem to recall reading that the Costco wine buyer buys the most wine of any retailer anywhere. In many states, you don't need a Costco membership to buy liquor.
I'm located in the Midwest, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. We do have a Costco, but I won't be getting a membership. Other than that, it's basically grocery stores and one or two local wine/liquor stores that may offer a bigger selection. I'll check them out in the next week or two.
I think lhrsfo has correctly interpreted my flavor profile, which does tend toward the lighter and drier side. I enjoy some fruitiness but not much sweetness. I am not a great fan of tannins.
I'm still reading and taking in all your suggestions and appreciate your input. Thanks!
Yeah, seems you and I have an Old World profile preference - more composed and rounded. Not a fruit bomb. I have found that Spanish wines tend to be very reasonably priced and high quality of the money. Check out things from the Rioja or Ribera del Duero regions. These tend to be Tempranillo which is a lighter red wine grape and quite tasty wine. Should be easy to find good stuff under $15.