Charles Shaw wine explained
Charles Shaw is an American brand of bargain-priced wine.[1] Largely made from California grapes, Charles Shaw wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, White Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Valdiguié in the style of Beaujolais nouveau, and limited quantities of Pinot Grigio.
Overview
Charles Shaw wines were introduced at Trader Joe's grocery stores in California in 2002 at a price of USD$1.99 per bottle, earning the wines the nickname "Two Buck Chuck", and eventually sold 800 million bottles between 2002 and 2013.[2] [3] In 2009, an international version of Chardonnay from Australia was introduced in a limited number of stores. Prices in states other than California have increased to US$3.79 per bottle.[4] The price was later raised.[5], a bottle of Charles Shaw retailed for US$2.99 in California. The cost of the wine is about 30 to 40 percent of the price, with the bottle, cork and distribution the larger part. The cost of shipping Two-Buck Chuck anywhere out of California becomes too high to justify the US$1.99 price.[6]
In April 2018, the winery introduced a line of organic wines, at USD$1 higher than their standard line.[7]
History
The brand began as an eponymous winery owned by Charles F. Shaw, producing Beaujolais-style wines in the Napa Valley AVA.[8] During bankruptcy proceedings in 1995, its trademark was acquired for US$27,000 by Bronco Wine Company, co-owned by Fred Franzia, formerly of Franzia Brothers wines.[9] [10] [11]
The company produces the Charles Shaw label at their Ceres, Escalon and Napa, California wineries.[12] A 2006 Los Angeles Times story said the company could fill 60,000 bottles of the Charles Shaw brand in two to three days.[12]
Awards
At the 28th Annual International Eastern Wine Competition, Shaw's 2002 Shiraz received the double gold medal, beating approximately 2,300 other wines in the competition.[13]
Shaw's 2005 California Chardonnay was judged Best Chardonnay from California at the Commercial Wine Competition of the 2007 California Exposition and State Fair. The chardonnay received 98 points, a double gold, with accolades of "Best of California" and "Best of Class".[14]
External links
Notes and References
- Book: Julia Flynn Siler . The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty . 310 . New York . Gotham Books . 2007 . 9781592402595 . registration .
- Web site: Rossen. Jake. Why is Trader Joe's Wine Cheaper Than Bottled Water?. Mental Floss. 12 April 2017. 16 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181031061903/http://mentalfloss.com/article/94047/why-trader-joes-wine-cheaper-bottled-water. 31 October 2018. live.
- News: The American Way of Aldi . Deutsche Welle . January 16, 2004 . 24 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050306232510/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1091106,00.html . 6 March 2005 . live .
- Web site: Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer . Charles Shaw Wine . February 6, 2012 . 17 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130125095323/http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=433 . 25 January 2013 . dead .
- News: Cathy Bussewitz . Price hiked for 'Two-Buck Chuck' . The Santa Rosa Press Democrat . January 22, 2013 . 19 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170420143355/http://www.pressdemocrat.com/csp/mediapool/sites/PressDemocrat/News/story.csp?cid=2210826&sid=555&fid=181 . 20 April 2017 . live .
- News: Konohovs. Konohovs. The True Cost of a Bottle of Cheap Wine. 8 May 2017. KALW. 16 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20170506225824/http://kalw.org/post/true-cost-bottle-cheap-wine#stream/0. 6 May 2017. live.
- News: News Briefs for April 2, 2018 . . April 2, 2018 . May 9, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180508072600/http://www.shankennewsdaily.com/index.php/2018/04/02/20488/news-briefs-april-2-2018/ . May 8, 2018 . live .
- Web site: A Beguiling Beaujolais : 'As Beautiful as a Vase of Fresh-Cut Flowers'. May 15, 1988. Los Angeles Times.
- Web site: CHARLES SHAW Trademark of Bronco Wine Company Serial Number: 76472906 :: Trademarkia Trademarks. trademark.trademarkia.com.
- Drink Up. Dana. Goodyear. The New Yorker. 11 May 2009.
- Web site: How Charles Shaw wine became Two Buck Chuck. April 18, 2017.
- Web site: Wal-Mart of Wine. April 30, 2006. Los Angeles Times.
- News: 'Two-Buck Chuck' Snags Top Wine Prize . NPR News . June 18, 2004 . 24 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130120065738/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1963794 . 20 January 2013 . live .
- News: The judgment of California: Charles Shaw chardonnay is state's best . The Napa Valley Register . June 29, 2007 . 19 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170419214918/http://napavalleyregister.com/wine/the-judgment-of-california-charles-shaw-chardonnay-is-state-s/article_09f74fcf-6cb8-5ac3-9400-9c99ff37bcd6.html . 19 April 2017 . live .