BY OWEN MORRIS
Yesterday, sommelier Kelly Wooldridge gave Fat City readers ten tips for what clueless joes should look for when they're buying wine.
Today, two clueless joes puts that advice to the test. The joes would be me and my friend, whose name actually is Joe. With Wooldridge in tow, we went to the Costco at 24th and Linwood. I've always been impressed by Costco's wine selection and prices, but there are no clerks to answer questions, and Costco posts little information to guide the consumer. It's a wine wilderness, which is exactly what I was going for.
The rules were simple. Joe and I had five minutes to each pick out one wine using Wooldridge's tips. Wooldridge could observe but was not allowed to give us pointerss. We were on our own.
Then, we tasted them to find out how we did.
My Choice was a Genesis Merlot 2005 from Columbia Valley in Washington. Price $11.99
Why did I choose it: I was attracted to the label and the price. The label was good quality, a very concise description about the wine on the back. There was no number on the label but between the fact that there were only a couple cases of it and it was from Washington State, I thought it could be a steal for $11.99.
Sommelier's take: "Columbia Valley makes some great merlots and chardonnays. The producer of this wine, Hogue, doesn't make very expensive, nuanced wine but it's known for making wide-appealing drinkable wines in the $10-$15 price range."
Tasting notes: I found it decent but not earth-shattering. Joe liked it more but noted that as soon as you swallow, the flavor is gone. Wooldridge said it had all the flavors a $12 bottle of Merlot should have but no more, which disappointed him.
Final take: In the words of Wooldridge, "I wouldn't kick it out of bed, but I wouldn't invite it in in the first place."
Joe's pick was a Gary Farrell Sauvignon Blanc 2006 from Redwood Ranch in Sonoma County. Price $14.99
Joe on why he choose it: "The bottle had everything Kelly was talking about. It's from a specific vineyard, Redwood Ranch. It had a number on the back but no description of the wine. The label felt expensive and the bottle itself was heavy and it was less than three years old."
Sommelier's take: "To get a wine like this from an expensive region like Sonoma County is a steal for anything under $20. Especially considering it's from Gary Farrell, who is known for some of the best cabernet sauvignons in the world. I didn't know he did wine at this price point. At two years it's a little bit old, especially for a New World white, but it should be damn tasty."
Tasting notes We all agreed that it was indeed damn tasty. "From the pop of the cork to the smelling of the wine to the licking your lips after you swallow, this wine is top-notch," Wooldridge said.
Final take: "Just looking at the bottle, there's no neon sign or thumbs up saying this is a great bottle," Wooldridge said, "Farell is letting you know in much subtler ways like the Redwood Ranch or the numbers. Joe picked up on these subtleties and picked a winner of a wine. I've tasted $50 sauivgnon blancs that weren't this good."
The best hint on Joe's bottle was the that fact it was a numbered bottle, which Wooldridge said almost always denotes a great quality.
Now that you know what sort of subtleties wine-makers put on their bottles, go out, buy with confidence. Be lost in the liquor store no more.
Interesting. BUT does Costco offer any wines for less than $5? And would anyone but a wino think they tasted OK? (How much is Two Buck Chuck these days? Three bucks?)
Posted at: July 24, 2008 10:30 PM