Wine Store Dime Store

I love wine. Red, white, dry and sometimes sweet. You know when people say "I can't remember what life was like before_______". That's how I feel about wine. What did I do to keep from going berserk when my children were toddlers? Well, there was the Zoloft. Somehow that just doesn't have the same pizazz as a good glass of wine. If I had only known that just a glass of wine a night would have done the trick I could have saved myself the pharmaceutical side effects. Instead of feeling like a robot who couldn't cry, I could have been pleasantly tipsy, footloose and fancy free and laughed 'til I cried.


I was never a big drinker and up until meeting Vince the only glass of wine I ever enjoyed was a Riesling at a wedding once. I was convinced that I could only drink sweet wine and I definitely never considered trying a red. Now, three years later, I steer clear of anything sickening sweet. My taste changed on a trip Napa. So much good wine, RED wine even. I challenge anyone who claims to dislike red wine to take a sip of Opus One. This wine is a perfect concoction of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Of course, the price is as unbelievable as the taste - around $170.00 a bottle.

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There was a time when Vince and I lived it up and cost was no object. Times change and food and clothing are nice things to have so we have had to sacrifice some of our old favorites with equally great alternatives. For those of you have asked, I have put together a list of our "champagne salary" favorites along with our "beer salary" alternatives. I promise you won't be disappointed. I will continue to add to this list as I drink more and remember more!

Pricy Red Favorites: Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosenblum Cellars (Annette's Reserve), St. Supery Petite Verdot and Ruffino Chianti Reserve Oro.

Trader Joe's Alternatives: Trentatre $5.99, Chariot $4.99
Total Wine: Las Rocas $7.99 ( I love Spanish reds, they are the absolute best)

From Drop Box

As for the whites, I'll admit to indulging in a few can't miss bottles like Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, Duckhorn Vineyards (Vince and I once tried their sauvignon blanc on a trip to San Francisco and I still rate that as one of the best among that varietal), even St. Supery with their flawless suav. blanc's (Dollarhide is the best) and Oak-free Chardonnay's should never be passed up.

From Drop Box

However in my quest to be frugal, I have come across many comparable whites available from Trader Joe's. Alternatives: Santa Rita 120 ($6.99) is a sauvignon blanc easily comparable in taste to the standard St. Supery Sauv. blanc ($16.99). Trader Joe's also offers a sauvignon blanc called Trader Joe's Vinas Chilenas Reserva ($3.99) and is one of the better cheaper summer wines available. Also available and even cheaper!!! is the Vola Trebbiano Pinot Grigio for only $1.99.

From Drop Box

Is it possible for wine to get any cheaper and still be very drinkable?