Two Buck Chuck
#1
Original Poster

Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
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.
#2


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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.
#3
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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/
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3076201/ns/today-food/
#4


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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 ($$) stuff, and at $2 a bottle, it's an excellent value for me. YMMV depending on how particular you are about wine.
No, it's not the best, but when I'm home alone it's nice to have a glass or two (or three) after work without carting out the good ($$) stuff, and at $2 a bottle, it's an excellent value for me. YMMV depending on how particular you are about wine.
#5
Original Poster

Join Date: Aug 2005
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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.
#8
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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.
#9
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Two previous threads on the vino:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dinin...expo-gold.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dinin...uck-sucks.html
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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dinin...expo-gold.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dinin...uck-sucks.html
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#10
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For $2, you could do worse. On the other hand, I do not remember the last time I bought it.
#11


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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.
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.
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.
#13

Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,964
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.
Some have a pretty big range of German beers, not surprising considering the ownership of Trader Joe's.
#14
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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.
#15

Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,964
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)
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)


