Got $3?

All must sing the praise of Charles Shaw. $3 and you get a choice of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet, Shiraz and Nouveau… (cook with the nouveau).

It’s a blend of excess wine from a variety of Califonia vinyards that they bottle and blow out the door for $2 bucks in CA. CV is that a good bet is to snag a bottle from Trader Joe’s and inflatable obstacle course pop it in the car. If you like it grab some more. A friend remarked that it can be quite a find but very inconsistent. Due to the blending you are kind of playing roulette and he then suggested the afformentioned strategy.

I just punt and buy a mixed case so when someone asks for a Merlot or a Chardonnay I have one, etc. If you want to try it for the first time I’d recommend the Cabernet or the Blanc (I’m finishing a bottle of the Cab right now and it’s more drinkable than the average Cab, not as dry. It’s gotten fruitier in recent weeks but that should not be consistent. The merlot is good (fricken GREAT for $3) as is the Chardonnay. The Blanc is my favorite of them all and the Shiraz is great with the $5 pizza Friday nights at Dominick’s. A Blanc in the fridge will be finished by the end of the week.

For a cook it’s a great reduction liquid anytime, red or white.