Costco wines for Christmas time
This Christmas season, Costco’s wine selection offers a variety of value-based offerings, both from its Kirkland Signature range as well as from larger US and international producers. Brianne Cohen picks out a selection of the best buys in US stores.
Costco Wholesale is a membership-only big-box retailer that started in Seattle in 1983.
Its 834 stores can be found in the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan and the UK, among others, offering grocery and home goods, electronics, furniture, pharmacy, optical – and even tyres.
Costco’s USP is the strength of its private-label programme, Kirkland Signature, which is named after the location of Costco’s original headquarters in Kirkland, a Seattle suburb. The range generated $58 billion in sales the last fiscal year, which makes up a quarter of Costco’s overall revenue.
On the wine side, Costco is one of the largest retailers in the world. The product mix consists of both Kirkland Signature wines and well-known brands, with Kirkland Signature wines regularly coming in at close to 50% less than branded wines from the same regions.
In stores, the wines are displayed in a spartan manner, with simple shelf talkers and bottles nestled in wooden wine boxes. Others are displayed on wooden pallets with cases stacked one on top of the other. No frills is the name of the game at Costco.
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Costco, Kirkland Signature Champagne Brut, Champagne, Champagne, France
89
If you’re looking for cheap and cheerful Champagne, this is it. Notes of green apple and citrus, plus good acidity. This value-priced Champagne will take you through all of the holidays, from Thanksgiving and Christmas, to New Year’s Eve. Bright and fresh with minimal leesy notes, make this a versatile and easy drinker for the holidays. Produced by Manuel Janisson of Verzenay.
CostcoChampagne
Paula Kornell, Brut California Sparkling Wine, California, USA
88
Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars (Paula’s father) produced traditional method sparkling wine in California, and Paula continues the tradition with her own label. This wine is light, fresh and with ever so slight residual sugar. The perfect sparkler to serve with your dessert course at the holiday table.
Paula Kornell
Domaine Joseph Drouhin, Chablis, Chablis, Burgundy, France, 2020
91
The aperitif white wine you’re looking for, for the holidays. The wine gives lean, tart fruit and minerality, plus a faint nose of flint, characteristic of Chablis. High acid to cleanse your palate for the rich holiday meal that’s to come.
2020
Domaine Joseph DrouhinChablis
Ferrari-Carano, Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County, California, USA, 2021
90
<p>Ripe tropical fruit notes prevail both on the nose (lychee and mango) and the palate (pineapple and mango). This signature Ferrari-Carano wine fits squarely in the 'luscious California Sauvignon Blanc' box. A short time in neutral French oak gives this wine its characteristic body and depth. Serve with oyster stuffing, pork loin, or turkey.</p>
2021
Ferrari-Carano
La Crema, Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Coast, California, USA, 2021
90
<p>When a rich, full-bodied Chardonnay is needed, this California classic never disappoints. Notes of Meyer lemon and sweet spice on the nose, plus dairy/cream and toasted marshmallow on the palate. The 'crowd pleaser' that will pair with most anything on a holiday table.</p>
2021
La CremaSonoma Coast
A to Z Wineworks, Oregon Riesling, Oregon, USA, 2020
89
The go-to versatile and off-dry Riesling for your holiday tables. The bracing acidity balances the off-dry character to satisfy both those who like a touch of RS and those who don’t. Serving notes of orange blossom, lime zest, green apple, and tropical fruits. It would pair well with sausage stuffing or latkes with a side of apple sauce.
2020
A to Z Wineworks
Costco, Kirkland Signature Napa Valley Red Blend, Napa Valley, Napa County, California, USA, 2020
89
<p>Mind-blowing QPR (quality to price ratio) here gives you Napa Valley in a $10 bottle. A classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Sirah. Ripe fruit, low tannins, and generous oak notes for the 'red blend' crowd.</p>
2020
CostcoNapa Valley
Louis Jadot, Beaujolais-Villages, Beaujolais, Villages, Beaujolais-Villages, Burgundy, France, 2020
89
Perhaps the quintessential red wine for your holiday table and a great choice to bring to a host if you are joining their table. Light-bodied and easy drinking, as a foil to the heavy and rich holiday food flavours. Cherry bomb and strawberry notes, plus a solid acid backbone to round it out.
2020
Louis JadotBeaujolais
Costco, Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley, Russian River Valley, California, USA, 2021
88
Ripe fruited but with an overall lighter body. Generous red fruit notes of plums and cherries. Pair this with any dish that is to be enjoyed with cranberry sauce. Female winemaker Nancy Walker has been making wine in Sonoma and Mendocino counties for over 20 years.
2021
CostcoSonoma County
Costco, Kirkland Signature Côtes du Rhône Villages, Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Rhône, France, 2021
87
Made by Patrick Lesec, known for crafting quality wines in the region. This Grenache-dominant wine showcases red fruits, moving into black fruit notes, plus an overall medium body. The running theme for holiday wines is versatility, and this wine delivers. The ability to work with multiple dishes is key for your enjoyment. Brisket anyone?
2021
CostcoCôtes du Rhône
