By: BRADLEY J. FIKES - Staff Writer | ∞
Fred Franzia, president of Bronco Wine Co., holds a bottle of his 2005 California Chardonney. The wine won a double gold medal at the California State Fair Wine Competition.
Vin d'Expensive? Meritage Snooty? If that's the kind of name you were thinking would grace a winner of the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, get ready for a shock.
Try "Two-Buck Chuck," more formally Charles Shaw, the brand beloved of bargain but palate-sensitive wine shoppers. It's sold by Bronco Wine Co. exclusively through Trader Joe's.
Shaw's California Chardonnay took first place for Best Chardonnay from California. To some in the clubby California wine community, that must seem like a Michelin's Red Guide giving three stars to a roadside hamburger stand.
The Chardonnay received 98 points, a double gold, with accolades of Best of California and Best of Class.
"Since we judge all wines totally by variety without different brackets for price, this double-gold achievement by the Bronco winemakers is astounding," G.M. Pucilowski, chief judge and director of the competition, said in a Bronco Wine Co. press release.
While the complete results of the competition are to be announced July 12, Renata Franzia, from Bronco's Franzia family received the results Thursday.
Richard Peterson, veteran winemaker and a State Fair judge for 20 years, said in the release, "We have the most open judging I know. There is nothing to bias judging. We get numbered glasses. We don't know the region, brand or price. We evaluate the judges frequently to make sure they're tops in the field. Charles Shaw won because it is a fresh, fruity, well-balanced Chardonnay that people and wine judges ---- though maybe not wine critics ---- will like."
Bronco president Fred Franzia said in an interview that customers have proven to be discerning, buying more than 300 million bottles of Charles Shaw brand wines over the years.
"The consumers are way ahead of the judges here, and now the judges have figured it out," Franzia said in the interview. And there's more of this vintage on the way, Franzia said, so there will be a plentiful supply.
Franzia's next challenge is winning over the restaurant industry. "The restaurants are overcharging consumers for wine. If we could just get restaurants to sell wine at $10 a bottle, or $2.50 a glass, or less, heaven forbid. If I can sell 'em to Trader Joe's for $2 a bottle, and they can get five glasses out of it, you'd think they could sell it for $2.50 a glass and make consumers happy."
And yes, Franzia said, Two-Buck Chuck will remain $2 ---- the price isn't going to increase.
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Gotta love this story wrote on Jun 30, 2007 2:22 AM:We have been drinking Two Buck Chuck for years. I have a friend who sort of turned her nose to the Chardonney. I liked it. Guess I am vindicated for drinking this "cheap" wine. Hope I will be able to purchase a case now that this wine is "notable". I also agree that restaurants are unreasonable in their wine pricing.
Vista Granny wrote on Jun 30, 2007 7:39 AM:So there to all the wine snobs!
GFN wrote on Jun 30, 2007 10:33 AM:I had a friend over last week and served the Chardonney and he commentedd that it was a terrific wine...this guy owned restaurants for years!!!! When I showed him it was $2 Chuck, he was amazed. I like it because I can afford to pop the second bottle without guilt feelings of spending $2-$35 for wine for one dinner! Thanks Chuck; drink on.
Great! wrote on Jul 2, 2007 2:46 PM:I love it. The oenophiles must have their panties in such a bunch over this!
Robert wrote on Jul 5, 2007 5:04 PM:Chardonay from the same vats is also bottled under the Crane Lake label. Bronco sells it to other outlets; Winco Foods for example.
Big Wayne wrote on Jul 12, 2007 5:57 PM:--------- anybody can find a $35 chard that's pretty good and anybody can find a $60 cab. it takes looking and being patient to find the $2 double-gold-winners . . .
Ross wrote on Jul 13, 2007 7:42 AM:A triumpy of taste and quality over price and snobbery. My hat's off to Charles Shaw.
effervescent wrote on Jul 13, 2007 10:54 AM:i'm sorry something that cheap has got to be jam packed with sulfides. a great trip down one way to acid refluxville.
Gina wrote on Jul 13, 2007 3:21 PM:I am sure a "speacial bottling" was submitted for the competion. They have a massive tank farm to chose from. I have had the wine, it is barely drinkable if you have any inclination of what good wine is, or even the most modestly trained palate. Get off welfare and buy a bottle that costs more that $2!
Mondavi wrote on Jul 13, 2007 3:24 PM:I am sure a "speacial bottling" was submitted for the competion. They have a massive tank farm to chose from. I have had the wine, it is barely drinkable if you have any inclination of what good wine is, or even the most modestly trained palate. Get off welfare and buy a bottle that costs more that $2!
Beau wrote on Jul 14, 2007 8:55 PM:How SWEEEEET it is!
jpryts wrote on Jul 15, 2007 6:57 AM:I have lived in the Napa Valley for 40 years, and I remember what a member of the noted Mondavi family once told me . . . "if it tastes good, drink it. price is meaningless."
donna wrote on Jul 15, 2007 2:48 PM:I also like Two-Buck Chuck's wine it is all most as good as the wine my husband makes for us to drink. We never order wine out,cost to much.The first time i tried your wine was when i visit Calif. so good i brought some home to Ohio for my husband to try and he also liked it.
John M. wrote on Jul 16, 2007 7:22 AM:Great article. This is a great wine, we drink it often, but how can the consumer acquire this wine at the $2 price? Trader Joes is $2.99!
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