Tonight, our blind-tasting duo heads down south, way down south to Argentina. Malbec is a Bordeaux grape that has become less popular in France but is king in Argentina. Malbec is the most planted grape by far in Argentina. It produces over half of the worlds Malbec. (According to the Oxford Wine Companion) Malbecs from Argentina are riper and more velvety than those from France.

Malbec was a widely planted grape in California before prohibition. Plantings have again been growing in California.

Malbec is a medium to full-body wine, normally fruit-forward. It has red and dark fruit flavors. The warmer the climate, the darker the fruit. Many Malbecs have little oak aging. Cahors in Southwestern France produces a lot of Malbec called Cot. It has darker fruit flavors with higher tannins and smoke or earthiness.

Malbec often has a purple tint.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2022 Kirkland Signature Malbec $6.99 at Costco. The wine is produced in Mendoza, Argentina. Aged 12 months in French Oak Barrels. The Wine Adventure Journal and Reverse Wine Snob say - Aromas: Plum, blackberry, cola, licorice, vanilla, dusty spice, fig, and leather. Taste – Vanilla, chocolate, plum, black cherry. They call it an easy-to-drink wine with earthy characteristics. Reverse Wine Snob calls it a bulk buy.

2. 2022 Zuccardi Serie A $11.99 at Costco. I saw online for $14.00 to $17.00. This wine comes from the Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina. Robert Parker gave it a 92. The winemaker says, Aroma: cherry and prunes, with black pepper and tobacco. Also get chocolate, cherry liqueur, and spicy notes. Soft and velvety with firm tannins.

3. 2022 Wapisa Malbec $14.99 from Costco. The wine comes from Patagonia, Argentina. James Suckling gave it a 94. Flavors of dark plums and blackberries, chocolate, ripe tannins, and good acidity.

Next week we are having our first challenge show. It is a Pinot Noir Challenge and features a California Pinot verse a Oregon Pinot. The wines will include:

1. 2019 Talbott, Kali Hart Pinot Noir. Purchased from Costco for $17.49.

2. 2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir. Purchased from Costco for $17.00.

To honor the start of the Football season (tailgate season). Dennis and Denise are having a canned and boxed wine show. We have never tried a canned wine, so we are excited to see if they are good. These wines are becoming more popular because of their user-friendliness.

See if Dennis and Denise will recommend any of these three affordable wines. One of these may be a great option for your next picnic, hike, or canoe trip.

Tonight, our three wines include:

1. Bota Mini Sauvignon Blanc. I purchased it from Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits for $5.99. This is a crisp and refreshing wine with notes of lime zest, lemon grass, citrus and melon, and complemented by a touch of minerality. This 500 ml package contains the equivalent of three 5.6 oz glasses and features a 12.5% alcohol by volume content. The wine is produced in Chile and comes in environmentally-friendly packaging made primarily from paper, a renewable resource, which contributes to a smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional glass bottles.
2. Black Box Australia Chardonnay. Purchased at Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits for $5.99. This is a light and clean wine with hints of pineapple, green apple, tart lemon, and lemon blossoms with a touch of sweetness on the finish.
3. Canned Oregon Red Pinot Noir. Again, purchased at Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits for $5.99. This wine comes from the Stoller Family Estate, a family of veteran winemakers with deep roots in Oregon's Dundee Hills. Light and lively, this crushable red is filled to the brim with ripe red cherries, raspberries and hints of rose petal. It's perfect for sipping in the park or by a cozy fire.

Next week we are tasting Malbec from Argentina. The three wines we will taste include:

1. 2022 Kirkland Signature Malbec, purchased at Costco for $6.99.
2. 2022 Zuccardi Serie E, it was purchased at Costco for $11.99
3. 2022 Wapisa. This was purchased from Costco for $14.99.

Dennis and Denise have a budget-friendly show tonight, with each wine costing less than $10. We randomly selected and tasted three red wines. Also, see if you can catch ten references to different songs.

We learn some wine terms. We also discuss why we look at the wine before we swirl, smell, and sip.

See if Dennis and Denise can figure out what wines they are drinking tonight.

Tonight, our three wines include:

1. 2018 Bogle https://boglewinery.com/ Petite Sirah from California. I purchased it from Costco for $8.49. Wine Enthusiast gave this wine a 91 and called it a Best Buy.

2. 2016 Chateau Le Grand Moulin, Blaye Cotes De Bordeaux. I purchased it from Costco for $8.00. The Wine Enthusiast gave this wine a 92 and was the Editor’s Choice. This Bordeaux blend is mostly made up of Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It is aged in cement vats and is described as being fruit-forward. Aromas of dark currant, blackberry, cassis, int, and spice with a touch of earthiness. Medium bodied. Refined tannins and balanced acidity.

3. 2020 Aglianico Puglia IGP. The Epicuro Vino Rosso https://www.femarvini.com/en/brand-en/epicuro.html was purchased at Trader Joes for $5.99. Cellar tracker gave the wine a 88. Flavors of Blueberry, plum and fig with a medium level of jamminess. Dark fruits with oak, vanilla and tobacco. Very smooth with full mouth feel. Need to let breath before drinking.

Next week we are tasting canned or boxed wines that you can take to the tailgate. The three wines we will taste include:

1. Bota Mini Sauvignon Blanc, purchased at Wall to Wall Wine for $4.99.

2. Black Box Australia Chardonnay, it was purchased at Wall to Wall Wine for $4.99

3. Canned Oregon Red Pinot Noir. This was purchased from Wall to Wall Wine for $5.99.

Tonight our blind-tasting pair looks for a wine you can enjoy before summer is over. We will delve into some facts about Rose’ so you can make an informed purchase.

We will also talk about wine characteristics, terms, and general rules you may want to follow to make your wine tasting experience the best it can be.

We are also changing our format from a double-blind tasting to a single-blind tasting. NOOOOO! DON”T DO IT!!! Oh wait, what does that even mean? We will explain.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2023 Kirkland Provence $7.99 from Costco. The blend includes 36% Grenache, 28% Cinsault, 12% Syrah, 10% Vermentino, 5% Carignan, 5% Tibouren, and 4% Ugni Blanc. The Reverse Wine Snob says - Aroma: strawberry, cherry and a little watermelon plus some salty minerality and pleasing touches of wild herbs and flowers. (Bulk buy)

2. 2023 Ro Substance Rose $9.99 from Costco. This wine is made from the Syrah grape and comes from the Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington State. The Reverse Wine Snob says – Aroma: strawberry, melon and cherry, along with some light herbal notes. Tastes: Watermelon and some other tart fruit notes are added to all the other flavors from the nose. Smooth and a bit creamy, the wine also has great depth of flavor on the rich, juicy fruit.

3. 2023 Illahe Tempranillo Rose’ $19.99 from Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits. The wine comes from https://www.illahevineyards.com/wines in the Willamette Valley from 100% Tempranillo Grapes that are picked early to give acidity. 25% barrel and 75% tank fermented. 3.22 pH (this is low so should be bright and crisp). The winemaker says Aromas of Lemon zest, spruce, rhubarb, and fleshy watermelon rind. Taste: juicy honeydew melon and Oregon strawberry finish.

Next week we will have a red wine Budget Bargain Hunt Episode. Each wine will cost less than $10. We will be tasting three wines that will include:

1. 2018 Bogle Petite Sirah that we purchased at Costco for $8.49.

2. 2016 Chateau Le Grand Moulin, Blaye Cotes De Bordeaux, purchased at Costco for $8.00.

3. 2020 Aglianico Puglia IGP, Epicuro Vino Rosso from Trader Joes for $5.99.

Our blind-tasting pair are in for a treat, and so are you if you taste along with them.

Garnacha originated in northeastern Spain. It is a heat-loving drought resistant grape. It spread around the Mediterranean and up into France where it is known as Grenache.

Grenache is mostly a blending grape so getting a single variety wine can be difficult. Winemakers love it for blending because of its darker color and fuller body, medium tannins, and fruitiness. Denise loves it.

Tonight, Dennis and Denise taste three affordable Grenache wines. (maybe two that are affordable, the third is pricey, but again it's hard to find a single variety Grenache) Our three wines include:

1. 2017 Granito del Cadalso from Madrid, Spain. I purchased it from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $14.63. It comes from a co-op in the Sierra de Gredos, made from all old-vine Garnacha and grown in granite soils. It was destemmed and brought up all in concrete tanks. This Pinot Noir-like beauty offers notes of wild strawberries, rose hips, violets, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, with remarkable purity and vibrancy, it still has ample power and richness. This fabulous expression of Grenache is almost too good to be true.

2. 2018 Centenaria Garnacha from Campo De Borja, Spain. We purchased from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $15.83. Rich and velvety, big but gentle with raspberry jam, cherry pie and vanilla flavors. Well-integrated tannins give subtle structure, while citrusy acidity keeps this fresh. Fruit centered.

3. 2017 Idle Cellars Grenache from Sonoma County, a wine we purchased at Wine Styles for $37.00. Dry, fruit-forward but well balanced with acid, tannins, and body. Raspberries, cinnamon, cherries, strawberries, star anise, and black cherries are some of the flavors that come through. An adult fruit roll-up if you will. It pairs well with seared tuna, steak, roasted root vegetables, braised short ribs, and carnitas tacos.

Next week we will be tasting Rose. The three wines we will taste include:

1. 2023 Kirkland Provence, purchased at Costco for $7.99.

2. 2023 Ro Substance Rose’, it was purchased at Costco for $9.99

3. 2023 Illahe Tempranillo Rose’. This was purchased from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $19.99.

Chardonnay is probably the most loved and hated wine in the world. Have you heard of ABC – (Anything But Chardonnay)? Some people dislike it, but it is still the world's most planted

white wine grape. Why is it hated? We will try to find the answer in this episode.

If you think you don’t like Chardonnay, maybe you haven’t tried the right one.

Chardonnay is grown in nearly all wine regions, and it produces wines from bright and crisp to heavily oaked and buttery.

Vineyard owners like Chardonnay because it is a hearty grape that grows in various climates. Winemakers like Chardonnay because of its versatility.

Tonight, Dennis and Denise taste three affordable Chardonnays. Our three wines include.

1. The 2022 Domaine Seguinot-Bordet Chablis https://www.seguinot-bordet.com/en/ from Burgundy, France. I purchased this wine from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $27.99. Tasting notes: Acidic with balance. Green apple, citrus, pineapple, toasted oak, vanilla, butter, and salinity.

2. The 2020 Aviary Chardonnay https://www.folktalegroup.com/aviary-vineyards

from Napa Valley. We purchased it from Costco for $11.99. I found this wine for sale online mostly in the $14-$18 range. Tasting notes: oak, butter, vanilla, cream, banana, yogurt, pear, apple, and melon.

3. The 2022 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay, a wine we purchased at Costco for $7.99. The Reverse Wine Snob https://www.reversewinesnob.com/ said it had, aromas of apples, citrus, and a touch of toasty oak. WineEnthusiast https://www.wineenthusiast.com/ gave it a 90. Tropical notes of pineapple and papaya, white nectarine. Some stone fruits and hints of florals, baking spice. Finishes with lemon zest and vanilla crème brulee.

Next week we will be tasting Grenache. The three wines we will taste include:

1. 2017 Granito del Cadalso from Madrid, Spain. I purchased this wine at our

local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $14.63.

2. 2017 Idle Cellars Grenache from Sonoma County, a wine we purchased at the West Des Moines Wine Styles for $37.00.

3. 2018 Centenaria Garnacha from Campo De Borja, Spain. We again purchased it from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $15.91.

Chianti is a classic Italian wine. It has come a long way from the basket wines found in the checkered tablecloth restaurants of the past century. Tonight, our two blind tasters will pair Chianti with some cheese. Join them as they taste these three wines.

1. 2021 Kirkland Riserva Classico ($8.99) from Costco https://costcowineblog.com/

2. 2021 Gabbiano Calvaliera D’Ore https://www.castellogabbiano.it/ ($11.99) from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store

3. 2020 Peppoli Chianti Classico https://www.antinori.it/ ($24.99) from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store.

Other Sangiovese based wines from Italy.

Brunello di Montalcino

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Morellino di Scansano

Carmignano

Sagrantino di Montefalco

Sangiovese di Romagna

Tignanello (80% Sangiovese- 15% Cabernet Sauvignon – 5% Cabernet Franc)

Bibi Graetz (100% from old vines)

Nielluccio – Corsica (France)

Next week we will be tasting Chardonnay. The three wines we will taste include:

1. 2022 Domaine Seguinot-Bordet Chablis from Burgundy, France. I purchased from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $27.99.

2. 2020 Aviary Chardonnay from Napa Valley. We purchased from Costco for $11.99. I found this wine for sale online mostly in the $14-$18 range.

3. 2022 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay, a wine we purchased at Costco for $7.99.

Riesling is a light, high-acid summer refresher and can be a great pairing with the right food. Some people avoid Riesling, believing it is only a sweet wine. While it can be made sweet, most Riesling is bone dry. Today we will taste these three Rieslings.

1. 2023 Joseph Handler Riesling ($5.99) from Trader Joe’s. This wine is off-dry, with notes of Green-apple, pear, and apple.

2. 2022 Poet’s Leap https://longshadows.com Long Shadows Vintners Collection Riesling ($22.99) from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store. This wine is 100% barrel-fermented in a 360 gallon French oak cask. The wine remains on lees for four months after fermentation. Jasmine and slate aromatics, Gauva hints with citrus and stone fruit flavors. Bright acidity, good minerality. Long finish. It has 0.13 g/100 ml of residual sugar and is very acidic with a 2.97 ph.

3. 2021 Loosen Dr L https://drloosen.com ($9.49) from Costco. Crisp, fruity and refreshing. From steep hillsides with slate soils. Peach, citrus, mineral. It has 44.5 grams/liter residual sugar.

Next week we will be tasting Chianti. Our three wines will include:

1. 2021 Kirkland Riserva Classico from Costco $8.99.
2. 2021 Gabbiano Calvaliera D'Ore from Wall to Wall Wine $11.99.
3. 2020 Peppoli Chianti Classico from Wall to Wall Wine $24.99.