CheapWineFinder Podcast

Send a textMaison Barboulot Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2024The winner, so far, of how low can you go (price-wise) and still have an enjoyable Red wine.This is a Trader Joe's imported wine that has been available since the 2020 vintage.It was $5.99 then, and it is $5.99 now.It is remarkably drinkable and exhibits few to no faults.This is the inexpensive red wine that the French people drink; it is good, but not great.But at $5.99, good is a major victory.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send a textBig Churn Chardonnay 2024This is a $6.99 Trader Joe's wine.It has sold for $6.99 since the 2015 vintage.It is supposed to be a hommage to the big Napa Chardonnay wines of the 1980s.They were expensive; this is $6.99.So, how do you make a cheap wine taste like it has expensive details for ten years in a row?Buy a bottle and find out!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send a textKirkland Signature Ti Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025This is one of Costco's wines that are here for every vintage.Ti Point is the winery that has been family-owned since the 1990s.The winery is situated on a coastal peninsula about an hour north of Auckland.They have grown to include vineyards on the North Island and vineyards in Marlborough, as well as contracted independent vineyards.They make really good wine, and this Costco wine is no exception.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send a textPetiole Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2024This is a wine that Trader Joe's has offered since at least the 2015 vintage.It has been a consistent value.It is a Pinot Noir that is not trying to be a $9.99 version of a $60 wine.It is trying to be a very good, very drinkable ten-dollar wine.They have been hitting their mark for at least 10 years.This is a good Pinot Noir!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send a textTrader Joe's Grand Reserve Paso Robles Meritage 2023There is a Trader Joe's Reserve Paso Robles Meritage 2023 ($9.99), and I didn't know what the difference was between that and the Grand Reserve.Turns out the Grand Reserve was aged in French oak for 22 months, just like the expensive wines (think $60 and up bottles).This is a Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon (Bordeaux-style) with a good bit of solid age.Those wines do not sell for $12.99, except at Trader Joe's!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send a textSquealing Pig Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024Weird name, good wine!The vineyards are located in the Ataware Valley of southern Marlborough in the South Island of New ZealandMost vale priced wine (this was $13.99) from New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, is a taste of Marlborough with vineyards selected from all over.This is a Sauvignon Blanc sourced from a particular terroir. Check it out, and it tastes great.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send a textShortbread Buttery Chardonnay 2023Buttery but not too buttery.Maybe more butterscotch than actual butter.This is a dry wine, and the butter flavor is only one component of the flavor!This is a sipping wine, but if you are a spicy Asian food fan, this wine is your friend.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textJosh Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2022This is a special edition wine; the current Josh Cabernet Sauvignon is a California wine.Lodi is a unique AVA in California, not a coastal or a mountain AVA bur a Mediterranean AVA that has more in common with Italy than California.Well, if Italy got as warm as Lodi.The river valleys from the San Pablo Bay keep the vineyards protected from the Central Valley heat.This is a well-made wine from an excellent AVA that value wine drinkers should explore!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textAldi California Heritage Brut SparklingE & J Gallo have been producing cheap Bubbly for decadesm they know what they are doing,Inexpensive wine has never been of a higher quality. Aldi is offering cheap Bubbles that are extremely drinkable.They won't make you forget about Champagne, but they will make your Tuesday nights more interesting.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textNapa Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2022This is a Trader Joe's wine from a long-time supplier, DNA Cellars.That stands for Dennis and Andrea, who have been in the California wine industry for decades.The California wine industry has taken a downturn, and there is an excess of quality wine available.DNA found some good juice!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textOpaline Brut Sparkling WineThere is an Opaline Pinot Noir Rosé Brut from Trader Joe's that, 6 months ago, sold for $7.99.This Chardonnay-based Bubbly from France is now $9.99.It has that cut-glass, prism bottle that is almost for the price of the wine.But, no worries, the Bubbly inside is actually fun to drink.Read the www.cheapwinefinder.com review and listen to the podcast for info on the inexpensive, but tasty Bubbly!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textRural Mendocino Pinot Noir 2023This is a wine from the Fetzer brothers, the Fetzer winery in Mendocino, sold to a South American winery years ago; their name is on the label, but they do not own it.This is a wine from the current Fetzer winery that produces organic top-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Eagle Pass AVA in Mendocino.Check out Domaine Dave talk about this delicious wine.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textFlora and Stone Cabernet SauvignonA bargain Aldi wine.For my tastes, a $6.99 Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit too cheap.A few bucks more gets me a wine more to my liking.But this is a perfectly drinkable, bargain wine.Try it you might like it!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textCocobon Espresso Roasted Oak Red BlendThis is the newest wine in the Cocobon Red Blend series.They take a blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah and age it in some sort of oak.I don't know what kind of oak aging, since oak barrels can cost over a $1000, and this is a $6.99 wine.How an oak barrel is toasted affects the flavor it imparts to the wine.The oak here adds a mocha thing that is quite tasty!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textAngeline Vineyards California Pinot Noir 2024This is a value-priced Pinot Noir, a brand from Martin Ray Winery, a family-owned wine business since 1990.Angeline Vineyards has also been around since 1990.This is a wine I found at Trader Joe's for $9.99; it should be available everywhere.It is a quality, tasty California Pinot Noir.That is an amazing value for wine drinkers.A good wine at a good price!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textTattoo Girl Riesling 2024This is a wine from a Washington State producer.They have a whole line of Washington State wines, and if they are as good as this one, I will seek them out.The best Riesling is from the Mosel in Germany, but for value, I like Washington.This is an off-dry Riesling, indicating this is slightly sweet, but the acidity balances the wine to give rich fruit and citrus flavors.This is a wine that new wine drinkers can understand, while making experienced wine-os happy!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textRoseta Lisboa Vinho Tinto 2024This is a $5.99 Portuguese wine from Trader Joe's.It has a flask bottle and is made from unnamed grapes.It actually drinks well, if not particularly complicated.This is an easy-to-drink wine made for fun events.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textAldi Scarlet Path Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel 2023This year it sells for $6.79, usually $7.99 to $8.99.This is a bargain Lodi Zin from old vines of undetermined age.Typically, old vines are 40 years+, and those vines are not hard to find in Lodi.This isn't a 90+ point wine, but it does sip well and is very usable.Pair with comfort food or sip while playing PlayStation 5A bargain at $6.79!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textVilla Borghetti OTTO Pinot Grigio 2024This is a Pinot Grigio selling for $7.99 at Trader Joe's.It isn't a fancy Veneto, Italy wine.But it is well made and very sippable.It is subtle and tasty and well worth the price!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textImagery California Pinot Noir 2023This is a Pinot Noir that comes in a round-about way from Benzinger Family Wines and The Wine Group!The Wine Group has 125+ brands.This is a Pinot Noir that is fuller-bodied than the typical California Pinot Noir.Not in Meoimi Territory, but full of flavor.It is a very useful Pinot Noir, not old school and not new Pinot, but delicious and well-made!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textWhitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024I paid $14.99 for this wine, a bit more than the $10 taste of Marlborough wines, but the extra money is for the winemaker's selection of the grapes.The extra five bucks make a difference.The taste of Marlborough wines is great value, but these are just a bit more sublime.ne is good to the last drop!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textHarken Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2024This is one of the rare barrel-fermented value-priced Chardonnays.Most are fermented in stainless steel vats, which can be used over and over again.A barrel has a limited number of uses.Harken uses very unique barrels, so check out the PODCAST for the interesting details.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textKorbel California Champagne BrutThis is a Bubbly from a California winery in business since the 1880s and a family-owned winery since 1954.They are legally allowed to call their Bubbly Champagne.This Brut lists for $14 and is often on sale.Want a good Bubbly, but money is tight, Korbel will do you right!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textTrader Joe's Diamond Reserve Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2023A $19.99 single (maybe estate) vineyard from an un named winery for less than $20.Sometimes economic downtimes can be good for us, CheapWineFinders.Rutherford is on the valley floor with Oakville to the south and St. Helena to the north. Prime Cabernet Sauvignon territory.It is always nice when an expensive wine falls within our price range!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textKirkland Signature Brut Champagne (2025)Legit Champagne for $22.99, yes, it's going up in price, but so is everything!Made by a 5th-generation Champagne winemaker, check out www.cheapwinefinder.com and listen to the Podcast to get the story.Real Champagne with Pinot Meunier as the lead grape, the Pinot Noir, followed by Chardonnay.Not the same old same old.But good.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textAldi's Mark Hill Pinot Noir 2023This is a $7.89 California Pinot Noir.It is a little spicy for me, but a cheese plate or some munchees will balance it out.A very sippable, very inexpensive Pinot Noir if you prepare properly.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textMomentum Legacy Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2023When the subprime meltdown of 2008 occurred, there were wine bargains galore.In 2025, the wine downturn is slow to produce crazy bargains.This may well be a Cabernet Sauvignon from a ridiculously famous winery that never hits Trader Joe's wine level.Not sure, because everything is hidden, but maybe.Check out www.cheapwinefinder.com to see who we speculate is the source.In the meantime, enjoy a bargain Cabernet Sauvignon!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textTrader Joe's French Blanc de Blanc BrutThis Sparkling wine has been showing up at the Holidays at Trader Joe's for years.It now sells for $7.99 after years of being priced a $6.99.It is very sippable.This is a wine probably produced in the Charmat method, or the same as Prosecco.French Bubbly made the Italian way.No problems, it tastes good.This is the wine that can make a great Mimosa, add a favorite fruit, and make a Bubbly cocktail.Drink the expensive Champagne and make this your basis for experimentation.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textMumm Sparkling Brut Prestige (2025)GH Mumm has been in Champagne for almost 200 years, and Mumm has been in California for over 50 years.That kind of Sparkling wine know-how is hard to find.Mumm's style is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with the Pinot slightly in the lead.It is a style created over the decades and replicated in California.I found this wine at Binnys (Chicago) for $8.99, don't expect that sale to last.A quality Bubbly under normal pricing, a major bargain on sale.You do not need expensive Bubbles for an expensive drinking experience.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textStringtown Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2023100% Pinot Noir, no oak, from multiple Willamette Valley AVAs.I found it for $13.99, which is crazy good.Conditions are right for bargains (listen to the Podcast).Quality Pinot Noir at a bargain price!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textTrader Joe's Reserve North Coast Brut Rosé (2025) $9.99.This Bubbly was available at Trader Joe's last year, too.TJs recently dropped the Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Napa Valley Brut Rosé, selling for $14.99.How does this Bubbly at 33 and 1/3 less stack up?The answer is the Platinum is better, but this Bubbly is a real Bargain!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textCecilia Beretta Treviso DOC Extra Dry ProseccoA Champagne Cocktail Special!Drinks fine on its own, but add some orange juice, or peach or blueberry, and you've got something going on.Tastes great, a quality sipping Bubbly. But something festive will bring this to life.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textPeaks & Tides Sonoma County Chardonnay 2023This Chardonnay has an array of fruit and citrus flavors.The French oak adds vanilla creme, but not butter.Well-balanced and flavorful, this Chardonnay punches above its price point!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textAldi's Landkastel Mosel Riesling 20241) This wine sells for $6.992) The grapes are sourced from the Mosel region of Germany, the Premier Riesling growing region.3) It is designated as a quality wine, Germany's middle classification.4) It is well-made and tastes great!5) It will pair with both the Thanksgiving meal and Netflix.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textTrader Joe's Reserve Meritage Paso Robles 2023A Bordeaux blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, and Malbec.All sourced from vineyards in the Paso Robles AVA.It has some oak conditioning with flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and spice on display.A wine with dark fruit, but balanced.A sipping wine that can be used with a meal!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textThis is a good quality, tasty, $7.99 Sonoma County Zinfandel.It has a dark berry flavor, spice, mocha, and chocolate.It is an easy-to-drink wine, but not boring.Rich and dark, with a little spice for interest.I think this is a sipping wine, but it will pair with comfort food!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textAldi Specially Selected Douro Doc Reserva Red 2022Douro is the region in Northern Portugal that is famous for making Port.This Aldi wine is made for them by Van Zellar, who are the oldest family Port Producer in Portugal (1620).This is a Field blend, which means multiple grapes are planted in each vineyard and they are harvested together. Mother Nature determines the grape blend.The grapes are pressed by foot.The wine is aged for 26 months in 1-year-old and 2-year-old French oak barrels.Again, for a $9.99 Aldi wine, the details are impressive.The bottle is wrapped in paper, and it has a gift tag.It sips very well, and would be a good bottle to bring to BYOB.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textTrader Joe's Platinum Reserve Carneros Pinot Noir 2023Carneros is the Pinot Noir growing region of Napa.Carneros is also famous for Chardonnay; multiple AVAs in Napa grow killer Chardonnay.It is not typical for quality Carneros Pinot Noir to sell for $14.99.But then again, Trader Joe's is not your typical wine merchant.This Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir just might be the best $15 available!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textThis is a Pinot Noir Bubbly from Napa, probably Carneros grapes.At $14.99, it is a reasonably priced Sparkling wine that can hold its own against Bubbly selling for much more.It is well-made, tastes great, and is affordable. What more do you want from an excellent Sparkling wine?Champagne prices are so out of reach that more affordable Bubbly can compete at a lesser price tag.Pay more if you want to, but this Bubbly delivers!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textThis Chardonnay started as a restaurant-only wine, but its popularity caused the winery to offer it to retail wine shops.It quickly became the #1 wine in its price point.The reason is that it is an excellent half-California, half-Burgundian Chardonnay.Balance with flavor.Not that French Chardonnay does not taste good or California Chardonnay has good balance, but this is kind of the best of both worlds.I found it on sale for $16 when the average price is above $20, but this wine is well worth the asking price!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textThis is a $9.99 Cabernet Sauvignon from a single vineyard in the Yakima Valley of the Columbia Valley.The vineyard is under the control of the wine company that is responsible for this wine.Not exactly an estate wine, but close.It tastes like a legit West Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, not just a ten-buck Cab Sauv.This is a wine well worth giving a try!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textI don't need to beat around the bush; this Bubbly hits well above its price range.Trader Joe's also has a Napa Valley Rosé, which is mostly Pinot Noir instead of Chardonnay, and I do like Pinot Noir Bubbly.Until I try that Bubbly, this is the reigning KING of 2025 value Sparkling wine.If the occasion demands a Champagne wine or if you are looking to impress, then by all means drink Champagne; it's amazing.But if you want excellent Bubbly and also want value, the Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Napa Valley Blanc De Blancs is your wine.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textElliot Cooper sounds like the guy who was in your gym class.It is a non-vintage wine that does not sound too promising.But it is actually a very good California Chardonnay.It drinks well, is versatile, and did I say it drinks well?Non-vintage wine from Aldi, and you expect something less, but instead You get something more.A $10 Chardonnay that hits above its price tag!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textBought a bottle of Chardonnay from a local grocer. It was 5 years old and not stored properly. It should never have been on a store shelf.This does not happen often, but it has occurred often enough that you must always check, never assume it is a current vintage.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textDoamine Dave was first drawn to ths wine by the label.It's a copper engraving from 1624 that has been colorized, Lapis Luna translates in Latin to the Stone and Moon.The label is an angel tether to a rock reaching for the moon.Not you typical wine label.As for the wine it is not as bold as New Zealand, but every bit as tasty.This is an easy to sip wine.For more info check out the review on www.cheapwinefinder.comCheck us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textA $12.99 Chardonnay from Willamette Valley that actually overdelivers? We pop the cork on Willa Creek 2023 and trace the bigger story behind Oregon's quiet Chardonnay comeback. For years the region leaned on California clones that struggled to ripen in cooler sites, yielding lean, austere wines. The switch to Dijon clones—and a clearer read on site and style—has unlocked balance, lift, and flavor, and this stainless-steel, unoaked bottling shows how far things have come.We break down the tasting profile in plain terms: a clean mix of orchard fruit and citrus framed by crisp acidity, no oak, and a texture that starts soft and expands across the palate. If you avoid buttery Chardonnay, this is your lane. We also decode the label: “produced and bottled by,” the fresh Willa Creek trademark, and Precept Wine's role crafting store brands for Trader Joe's and beyond. The paperwork might be new, but the winemaking knows what it's doing, and the result punches above its price.Planning the holiday table? This is a smart pour for turkey and rich sides. The acidity cuts through creamy dishes, the fruit stays friendly, and the finish stays clean. Beyond Thanksgiving, it's a weeknight match for roast chicken, lemony pastas, and sushi. More importantly, it signals where Oregon Chardonnay is heading: focused, bright, and increasingly reliable at value prices. Give it a try, see how it blooms in the glass, and tell us what you taste.If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share it with a friend who loves finding great bottles under $15. Your rec keeps the reviews coming—what value Chardonnay should we open next?Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textA $7.99 French Pinot Noir that's organic, carbon neutral, and made by a B-Corp shouldn't be this easy to drink—and yet here we are. We pull the cork on Florility French Organic Pinot Noir 2024 from Aldi and get honest about what's in the glass, what's on the label, and what really matters for a weeknight pour. The twist? It's labeled “Product of France,” not from a famous region, sparking a candid look at terroir, consistency, and how modern drinkers balance place with principles.We walk through the story behind Ethic Drinks—B-Corp certification, organic farming, vegan-friendly fining, and cause-driven lines that plant trees and help clean the oceans—then put the wine to the taste test. Expect a smooth, approachable Pinot with black cherry, plum, a touch of spice, and those savory pencil-lead and tar hints that give Pinot its quiet edge. It won't morph from sip to sip like a top cru, but it delivers friendly texture and steady flavor that make sense for pizza night, roast chicken, or backyard hangs. If you're chasing a site-specific, shape-shifting Burgundy experience, this isn't your bottle; if you want honest, ethical, and affordable, it hits the brief.Along the way, we unpack vegan fining in simple terms, talk about why multi-region French labeling is rare, and lay out where this wine shines and where it doesn't. The bigger takeaway: you can support responsible producers without sacrificing everyday joy, and sometimes the best bottle is the one that fits the moment, the budget, and your values. If that sounds like your kind of pour, queue it up, grab a glass, and tell us where you land on the terroir-versus-values question.If you enjoy these tastings and unfiltered reviews, tap follow, share with a friend who loves wine on a budget, and leave a quick rating—your support helps us keep it cheap and keep it coming.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textExpecting a brooding beast from a “dark red blend”? We pop Intermingle California Dark Red 2023 from Aldi and find something better: a calm, balanced, mid-weight red that drinks clean, pairs easily, and costs just $6.99. We walk through the blend—Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah—exploring how inky color can still lead to a smooth, food-friendly sip, and why the moderate 13.5% ABV keeps things lively rather than heavy.We also unpack the story behind the bottle. Intermingle comes from a division connected to Sutter Home under Trinchero Family Vineyards, a name with deep roots and real blending chops. That lineage matters at this price: you get competent fruit, no rough edges, and a style built for weeknights. From the legacy of White Zinfandel's rise to America's modern appetite for easygoing reds, we connect the dots between history, sourcing flexibility across California, and the practical goal of making an affordable wine that simply tastes good.If you need a reliable red for tacos, pizza, burgers, or a pot of spaghetti and meatballs, this one fits. The palate brings cherry and plum with a hint of blueberry, soft tannins, and a tidy finish—no cloying sweetness, no heat, no fuss. We share pairing ideas, serving tips, and why Intermingle as a brand has become a safe bet for budget shoppers who still want a pleasant glass. Grab a bottle, pour it slightly cool, and let it prove that “cheap” can absolutely mean smart value.Enjoyed the review? Follow the show, share it with a friend who loves a good deal, and leave a quick rating so more people can find great budget bottles.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Send us a textA skull on the label and real structure in the glass—this $7.99 Trader Joe's classic surprised us in the best way. We uncork Dearly Beloved I The Red 2023 and follow the clues: who makes it now, why the blend works, and how Lodi's delta breezes turn a hot inland zone into a value powerhouse. If you've ever wondered how Petite Sirah, Tannat, Tempranillo, and a touch of Zinfandel can line up without turning sweet or simple, we break down the roles each grape plays and why the result is more than a party trick.We talk craft and climate. Precept Wines currently steers this long-running label, sourcing from Lodi vineyards where cool morning fog and evening winds preserve acidity while ripening color and tannins. That's how you get dense color, dark fruit, and easygoing tannins at a price point that usually trades complexity for sugar. On the palate, expect blackberry and plum, a hint of vanilla, and a red-berry lift—raspberry and pomegranate—that keeps the finish bright. It's a true comfort wine: smooth enough to sip on its own, sturdy enough for burgers, pizza, or a quick plate of cheese and sausage.Yes, the Day of the Dead label makes it a natural Halloween pour, but the juice inside earns year-round status. We share why many holiday-themed bottles feel like one-night stands and how this one avoids the gimmick trap. For listeners who chase real value and honest flavor, this is a reminder that Lodi remains a treasure for everyday reds that drink above their price. Pour a glass, settle into a cool evening, and taste why structure, balance, and smart sourcing matter more than hype.If you enjoy these value deep-dives, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves a bargain bottle, and leave a quick review—what under-$10 red should we uncork next?Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

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Send us a textA single sip of Wente Morning Fog Central Coast Chardonnay 2023 tells a bigger story—one about a 140-year family legacy, a game-changing clone, and the craft behind a clean, vanilla-tinged style that wins without the heavy butter. We open the bottle and trace Wente's roots in Livermore, where the family helped shape modern Chardonnay by selecting and improving clones that now appear in roughly three-quarters of U.S. plantings. That history isn't trivia; it directly affects how today's wine tastes: brighter fruit, better balance, and reliable quality year after year.We get granular about technique in a way that's friendly and useful. Why split fermentation between neutral American oak and stainless steel? Neutral oak lets in a whisper of oxygen to round the texture, while stainless preserves crisp green-apple notes and freshness. Then there's lees aging and bâtonnage—stirring the lees to add creaminess without piling on heavy oak flavor. The result is a Chardonnay that leans vanilla over butter, with a lively mid-palate and a clean finish that plays well with salads, white fish, and simple white pasta. If you've written off Chardonnay as too oaky, this bottle is a welcome reset.We also talk value and consistency. Morning Fog keeps delivering at a price that makes it a weeknight staple and a party-safe pick, with scores around 90 points backing up its reputation. Expect green apple, gentle vanilla, and a calm, polished texture that suits a wide range of palates. If you're building a small wine lineup at home, this is the versatile slot—easy to serve, easy to love, and easy on the wallet.If our breakdown helped you find your next fridge-door white, follow the show, share this episode with a Chardonnay skeptic, and leave a quick review so more wine fans can discover smart, affordable bottles. Cheers to keeping it tasty—and keeping it cheap.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com