“’Value’ never dies. Never. Price is what you pay, value is what you get. ”- David Rolfe
The holiday season is a great time to slow down, spend time with family, and share a few drinks together. Wine and champagne are often at the top of people’s lists this time of year, but with many feeling the inflation pinch, finding quality beverages at a good value has become crucial. My favorite place to shop for wine is, surprisingly, Costco!
First off, their value is incredible as you can usually find good beverages at really great prices. Secondly, their selection is always varied and unique – even if it can be frustrating when favorite items rotate in and out, but it is fun to see what new wines show up on the shelves. Lastly, there is the “.97” pricing. True Costco fans know that when you see a price ending in .97, it means the item is on clearance to make room for something else, which is worth checking out.
In the past, store brand items were seen as cheap knockoffs. Today, many people understand that most of these products are actually made by the same companies as the name brand item, just with different packaging. Costco’s Kirkland Signature wines exemplify this; for each varietal and region, Costco works with a vintner who knows the area and can create a wine that really reflects where it comes from. Kirkland brand have often proven superior or equal to many name brands across food and beverages due to their quality.
The Kirkland Signature lineup covers a surprising number of world-class wine regions for a fraction of the price. You can fine Premier Cru Chablis, Champagne (the real stuff, not just sparkling wine), Châteauneuf-du-Pape, left bank and right bank Bordeaux’s, Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, Willamette Pinot Noir, and plenty of others. These bottles can hold their own against the bigger name producers. My top two favorites from the Kirkland Signature label are the Signature Series Stag’s Leap District Cabernet and the Sancerre, as I am a sucker for a good Sancerre. Again, one of the tricky parts of Costco is that you never know when certain wines will show up. An extremely helpful resource for tracking release dates and vintage ratings is costcowineblog.com.
Since Costco came to my town a few years ago, I have become a true believer in the Kirkland Signature brand. As a Texan, it is a close second only to HEB’s brand. But beyond the signature brand, you can also find some big heavy hitting names to help fill any gaps in the Costco wines. Costco does a great job of partnering with top-notch producers and bringing in well-made wines at a very reasonable price. Anyone who has tested enough wine knows that a higher price does not always mean a better bottle and Kirkland Signature is a great reminder that you can find really enjoyable wine at a fair price. Happy Holidays!
References to Costco or Kirkland Signature products are solely for educational and illustrative purposes. G Squared Private Wealth is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or compensated by Costco Wholesale Corporation or its subsidiaries.