I never thought I’d say this, but Costco, I’m impressed! Before putting together this Costco Wine Buyers’ Guide, I’d never entered a Costco liquor store. Erin had written about Costco in her Calgary Wine Buyers’ Guide a couple of years ago. But seeing as Costco liquor doesn’t exist in BC, I never had the opportunity to check it out until moving to Calgary mid-last year. With great enthusiasm, I present to you Social Sips’ Costco Wine Buyers’ Guide.
Before walking in, I anticipated seeing crates of generic Kirkland label Merlot or bag-in-box 3L for $20. I didn’t expect Premier Cru Chablis or Châteauneuf-du-Pape for $37. Wowza! Kirkland is killing it by sourcing vineyards and winemakers from specific areas and then communicating that partnership on the back label. It’s hard to find this kind of information on any wine label, so for Kirkland to do it is fab.
Before sharing my picks, I must preface that I haven’t tried most of these wines. But each of these wines shares something interesting on the label or piqued my interest enough to be included. I also didn’t anticipate only highlighting Kirkland Signature wines, but alas, that’s what this has turned into. So, let’s get started!
KIRKLAND SIGNATURE WHITE WINES
SAUVIGNON BLANC $11.99
Three things about this wine stood out to me:
1) It’s from Marlborough, which is where you want your New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to be from.
2) It’s 2019, so production is swift for that bottle to be on shelves in the northern hemisphere already.
3) It mentions the vineyard name (Ti Point) and the name of the winemaker on the back label (Tracy Haslam), so you can google anything you want about where this wine is sourced.
PREMIER CRU CHABLIS $25.99
What the what? You can’t get a regular Chablis in BC for less than 30 bucks. So, this Premier Cru for only $26 is blowing my mind. Odile Van Der Moere is the winemaker for this Chardonnay from the Vau Ligneau and Vaugiraut vineyard sites. If you’re a fan of Chablis — run and buy a few bottles. Keep a couple of bottles for a few years and see how it develops. That’s wine speak for a fun Friday night!
KIRKLAND SIGNATURE RED WINES
CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES $11.99
I’m astounded at the value here. Sorry (not sorry) to constantly compare to BC, but village-level wines in BC are nearly $20. So, ya, it’s something to point out! It also tells you the winemaker, Patrick Lesec, whom the internet will tell you is kind of a big deal.
CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG $13.79
This is one of the most well-written back labels I’ve ever seen. It tells you the grape right off the bat. However, if you know anything about Chianti, you understand it will be a Sangiovese. But then it goes to name the wine-making team at Villa Cafaggio Estate and that it met the minimum aging requirements to be a DOCG. Then, it finishes with a tasting note. Superb info!
NAPA VALLEY RED BLEND $19.99
Again, loving the winemaker shoutout on the back label (Glenn Hugo) and the varietal breakdown. Majority Merlot (big and juicy), with a quarter Cab Sauv (structure and depth) with a smattering of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec (texture, complexity, and oomph). Nothing says Napa like oomph. 😉
GIGONDAS $22.99
Grand effing Cru people! If you’re a fan of southern Rhone-style wines, this is the steal of a deal for you. Typical GSM (75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre) with bold and ripe fruits, earthy sweet tobacco, and herbs de Provence. Made by Guillaume Gonnet, whose family winery is Domaine Font de Michelle.
AND LET’S NOT FORGET…. CHAMPAGNE!
CHAMPAGNE BRUT $29.99
Yup, real Champagne. I did a double-take. If you’re keen on the real deal (not Prosecco, Cava, or sparkling wine), this is the bottle for you. It doesn’t have the grower or winemaking specifics that the other bottles do. But mainly because Champagne is a different beast regarding labelling laws.
Do you do your wine shopping at Costco? If so, I’d love to know some of your favourites. Comment below to let me know which bottles to try in the future.