Today is wine shopping day with Bob Paulinski, Master of Wine. He goes wine shopping at Total Wine in search of French wine values. He’s looking for four bottles of wine for around $100. He’ll provide some tips and tricks to help make better wine-buying decisions to get the most out of your money. The back part of the video includes a tasting and discussion of each purchased wine.
Total Wine has nearly 300 stores across the US. The purchased wines are not exclusive to Total Wine, they can also be found with other retailers, along with some international availability. Also, no PL wines will be selected, only artisanal wines with history and a sense of place.
Wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Loire, Alsace, Languedoc, along with Jura, Cahors, Madiran and Bandol were considered.
Wine 1
2022 Vincent Girardin Cuvee Vincent Bourgogne Blanc $24.99
Wine 2
2022 Chateau Pierre de Montignac Medoc Cru Bourgoeis $24.99
Wine 3
2023 Domaine le Colombier Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes, South Rhone Valley $24.99
Wine 4
2018 Department 66 Others Roussillon $24.99
#frenchwine #bordeaux #bourgogne #rhone #grenache #winelover #totalwine #winelover #wineenthusiast #wineshop #wineshopping #masterofwine #bobpaulinski #gifting
Chapter Markers
00:00 – 01:26 Key Considerations When Wine Shopping
01:27 – 04:37 Shopping at Total Wine
04:38 – 06:37 2022 V Girardin Bourgogne Blanc
06:38 – 09:14 2022 Chateau Pierre de Montagnac Medoc
09:15 – 12:54 2023 Domaine le Colombier Vacqueyras
12:55 – 15:56 2018 Department 66 Others
15:57 – 16:30 Wine Tasting Wrap Up
23 Comments
Great info. I’m hearing a bit more scuttlebutt on Bordeaux Blanc being an up and coming wine to drink…not that it’s a new style, would you consider doing a review and tasting of some of the left bank and maybe one or two between two seas options? Cheers!
Thanks, Bob, for good info. We like to have these types of wines in our "cellar": 1. Drinkable fun reds for pasta night. 2. Whites and rosés for fish night and tofu stir fry night. 3. Sparklers for lighter dishes on Saturday night. 4. Aged reds for hearty dishes on Saturday night. We are grateful for wine, food, and our version of abundance.
The 2023 Domaine le Colombier Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes sounds like it is right down my alley Bob.
Total wine is a good resource. Sign up online, and make sure to register when you buy. You will get all kinds of discounts sent to you; the one I like is 20% off all "direct from the winery" wines.
Great video for me! I'm not usually a fan of French wines so this was great info. How strong were the tannins in Wine 2? I think you mentioned they were medium in Wine 3? I'm not a fan of tannins. My favorite part of this video was your feet in socks doing a mini dance! LOL! Thank you Bob!
Loved the format, looking forward to more.
Love this
I’m a big Dave Phinney fan since I discovered his Papillon back in 2009/10. Have ever vintages to 2021 in my cellar. You have to like big and bold, but few do that style better than Dave! Also love his Mercury Head Cab. Hope you have enjoyed the Vacqueyras.
Great stuff. My choice for vfm is cru bourgeois claret but southern Rhone runs it a close 2nd. My wine journey began in 1975 with three friends and a mixed case comprising three bottles each of: Minervois; Faugeres; Corbieres; and Cote de Roussillon. Our guide was Jancis Robinson's very first book, 'Wine.' One of those friends is still a good mate to this day and shares my lifelong interest in wine.
Well done. I really like your videos. Especially the GGB from the Marin Headlands.
Pierre de Montignac is excellent in the price point.
Wonderful video. I always learn something new from your videos. Thanks
Enjoy you reviews. Question, how would you differentiate the Vacqueyras you featured versus the Costco Vacqueyras that you also taste. I can see the former in response to Occasional, but which would you drink for the non-special occasion.
Great video Bob! I appreciate that you review wines that are accessible to many people. These videos really help me out when shopping for wine. Keep the video's coming, looking forward to the next one. Cheers!
Love all this great info! Thank you!
I used to drink Vincent Girardin Santenay 1er Cru reds back when I lived in Dallas and now here in Mexico City I've found a decent selection of Cru Bourgeois at very decent prices. This video made me subscribe to the channel!
Thanks for a great video! I will seek out that Vacqueryes bottle soon. (Not sure if I spelled it correctly lol)
Sangiovese wins for me – perhaps because I don’t enjoy any overtly oaked wines, some of the greatest examples never see any new oak there. Plus it’s better with more foods in my opinion (especially with something that has tomato in it)
Thanks for the recommendations. Eager to try some. Had to mention that the extra attention to the video-making and editing didn't go unnoticed. Some nice flourishes here!
V Giardin every time. 🏅
Another great analysis, sir! When I wine shop, I first decide based on grape varieties, and whether I want a single varietal or a blend. Then, where were they grown (old world or new world) as location tells me how the grapes should taste.
Great information! Enjoyed the run down and analysis!
I liked the Others until I found out E&J imported it into the US. Like you, I like southern Rhône wines.