Walmart wine
By Jessica Yadegaran
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 at 4:35 pm in wal-mart wine.
Anyone tried Wal-mart’s answer to Charles Shaw? The big box store’s under $3 label goes by the name Oak Leaf, and whispers in the wine blogosphere indicate it’s “not that bad.” I believe they make a Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
I’m thinking of doing a public blind taste off between Oak Leaf and Charles Shaw. So I need some preliminary comments about the wines. Has anyone tried them who can give me some opinions? Share them here. Thanks!
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June 24th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
oh just the thought of turning to Walmart instead of Trader Joes for some cheap wine hurts my heart LOL
June 25th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Exactly. People are so attached to Trader Joe’s and their Two Buck Chuck that we should do the tasting and see what the blind results are. Any other opinions on this?
June 25th, 2008 at 11:07 am
I tried Oak Leaf and the Chardonnay wasn’t too bad — considering that expectation aren’t that high on a $2 wine. You can pull off an okay white at that price, sometimes, if you are lucky. But that’s much harder to do so with a red. Oak Leaf Merlot was overcropped, stemmy, and barely drinkable.
Look forward to you “recession” wine tasting!
July 12th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
There is a article, dated September 7, 2007, in Business 2.0 Magazine interviewing Fred Franzia whose company makes Two Buck Chuck. In this interview Mr. Franzia states that he was in talks with Wal-Mart regarding creating a similar wine for them. It is possible that this is the Oak Leaf brand now carried at the stores.
If it tastes good … drink it!
July 16th, 2008 at 11:54 am
So you’re saying Franzia may be making the competition’s wines?
July 17th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I’ve had Charles Shaw (red) on many occassion. I’m not too picky, and I thought it was exceptable; however, I was a little unsure about a Walmart wine, but more than happy to give it a try @ $3.00. I thought it tasted very nice, and even my snobby white wine drinking friends have switched over. Good job Oak Leaf.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Thanks Shannon
August 12th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Hi. I tried the Oak Leaf wine…….Horrible!! Bitter taste. But then again, I’m a semi-sweet person. I don’t like too sweet wines and I sure don’t like dry. Why do wines not say what flavor and whether it’s semi-sweet or not. I’ve seen “sweet” or “dry” but no ’semi-sweets’. Just my opinion.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hi Jane. The best thing to do is ask your wine merchant or server if the wine is “off dry.” You’ll typically see that term when referring to sparkling wines or Champagne (demi-sec). As for reds, the term “fruity” is also a good indication that it might be a bit sweeter than other dry reds. Often when our brains detect a lot of fruit in a wine we interpret it as sweet. Hope that helps.
Cheers
Jessica
August 18th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I have tried Oak Left Pino Grigio/Chardonnay blend and it is FABULOUS for the money! Great summer sipping wine especially here in Arizona - - very refreshing and tasty!
August 25th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Good to know! What other Chard-Grigio blends do you like? How did you stumble upon this blog?
Thanks
Jessica
August 25th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Tried the Cabernet and was satisfied. Wine was well balanced and not too thin. Remarkably, the wine wasn’t too acid, which I have found common in inexpensive wines.
It passed my test and I will buy again. I would like some info on who is bottling this for WalMart. If you hear anything let me know.