Although I am always on the quest to find the unusual, hard to find wines that knock my socks off, I’m also in search of a good value.
Usually, price suggests quality, but that isn’t always the case. In a recent trip to Whole Foods Market, I decided to further explore Whole Foods “bargain” brand, 365 wines. The 365 brand wines include a California chardonnay, a merlot and a tempranillo from Spain, a red and a white Bordeaux from France, a pinot grigio and a Chianti from Italy, among others. The wines are sourced from all over the globe and priced from $5 to $8 a bottle.
I tried the 365 Paul Valmer 2005 Chardonnay from Paso Robles, which is a definite crowd pleaser. In fact it is so popular that I nabbed the last bottle in stock. With its lovely straw color, this chardonnay displays bright aromas of orange blossom and cantaloupe melon. Flavors of peach and apricot are present on the palate, with prominent vanilla bean and subtle nuances of oak on the finish. This wine is best served well chilled and would pair nicely with grilled prawns in a saffron lemon butter sauce.
The 365 2004 Merlot from Spain is quite meaty with a lot of substance. Fragrances of ripe plum and pomegranate on the nose lead to rich berry flavors that fill the mouth. A nice balance of tannins and acidity lend to the long, off-dry finish. This wine is begging for barbecue! I paired it with grilled pork tenderloin and it was a hit. Other hearty meats or grilled vegetables would also pair beautifully with this friendly foreigner.
Whole Foods 365 wines are perfect for everyday sipping or affordable entertaining. In the new store (where Ralphs used to be), the wines are displayed by region and varietal. In addition to the house brand, there are also some small production local wines that are normally hard to find. In the same part of the store, shoppers can also find an array of specialty cheeses and a super-sized olive bar.
Until next time, Cheers!
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