Ok Two Buck Chuck is its nickname from days past when it cost $1.99. It now costs $2.99 and it is really Charles Shaw wine.
Hubby and I went to Trader Joe’s when we were in Las Vegas, and since wine is not sold in NYS grocery stores and so I could never purchase wine at a Trader Joe’s in my state, I decided, what the heck, and sprung the three bucks for some Two-Buck-Chuck.
I chose the Charles Shaw Chardonnay 2009.
While researching this wine online, I discovered that Franzia bottles the Charles Shaw, and buys grapes from all over. Like most Trader Joe’s products, there is only so much available information.
My opinion of Two Buck Chuck: eeeewwwwww.
I’m sorry folks, I know a lot of you are fans but this is a non-oak Chardonnay, so no buttery taste. It was actually bitter on my tongue and produced bile in the back of my throat (that was a first for me!) after I swallowed. It had little bouquet, even with a vigorous swirl, although the color was clear and light yellow.
Thinking food could only help, I tried Two-Buck-Chuck with some Combos. Cheap wine should go great with a snack food in my opinion. The wine was marginally better, but still not good.
Even at the low, low price of $2.99 I could never recommend Two Buck Chuck Chardonnay. And wow am I sad about that.
Have you tried the Two Buck Chuck? What did you think?
As always, drink responsibly and please don’t drink and drive.
Note: this post originally appeared on Coupons, Deals and More in 2011.
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Patti says
Have a dear friend that buys 2 Buck Chuck by the case. Never had the heart to tell her that it isn’t good wine. At least not the Chardonnay. Not sure I have tried any other.
harvey posert says
Oh my goodness! I am the pr consultant to Bronco Wine Company, producers of Charles Shaw (not Franzia). Coincidentally your review overlaps this month’s Consumer Reports, which selected ten Chardonnays to review and chose Charles Shaw third versus wines costing up to ten times as much.
In the 11 years of this Charles Shaw, over 700,000,000 bottles have been sold, but it is obviously not for everyone.
Harvey Posert
KimH says
Well this just goes to show that not all wines suit all palates.. I dont care for any Chardonnay any where, any time.. but in the past, I had a friend who would sing its praises loudly, with good cheer & song..
Roland Hughes says
Three Buck Chuck is the second best cheap Chardonnay on the market. I place it second only to Carlo Rossi Founder’s Oak Chardonnay.
The rules of Chardonnay are simple. If you are having only one, go ahead, be a snob. Spend a lot of money. If you are looking for higher priced Chardonnay J. Lhor and Kendal Jackson Late Harvest (I swear one year they put out a “Winter Harvest” which was to die for, but I cannot find mention of it on-line now.) If you are having more than one, Three Buck Chuck is the brand to have. If you are leaving one in the dust the Carlo Rossi Founders Oak.
John Schmitz says
I like the Cabernet. I like $20 wines better but not six times better.