Interesting article about Fred Franzia and his Bronco Wine Co., repsonsible for the Charles Shaw phenomenom recently. I seem to remember some interest about it recently on this board, and Melanie had posted some links. From Wed.'s... (10 replies, last updated by Sharuf February 28, 2003)

Shaw, Robert Lawrence Balzer, Jim Murray and Jack Smith. They were less fortunate with their runs with Charles Champlin and (still going) Robert Hilburn. Sadly, Kritina McKenna seems to have left for good. But Kevin Thomas has... (10 replies, last updated by mc michael August 4, 2005)

Does anyone know where I can find this wine in the Phoenix metro area? I was visiting some friends in California and they said they bought it at Henry’s for $2.99. It’s a fantastic value and much better than Charles... (0 replies, last updated by Happs October 25, 2008)

The list was in the print version. You didn’t miss much. The best (stupidest?) comment was about the Charles Shaw $1.99 wines at Trader Joe’s, ,saying that those wines have no “buzz” anymore since they... (2 replies, last updated by PakSong January 18, 2003)

Trader Joe’s featured a “new” Napa cabernet yesterday called Charles Shaw for $1.99. I didn’t have the guts to try it (below my minimum of 3.99—it might actually be rotgut) What if it’s... (4 replies, last updated by Colleen September 18, 2002)

There was an article in the SF Chronicle about Charles Shaw wines that are selling for $2 a bottle at Trader Joe’s. According to the article they are pretty good. Anyone tried them? Are they houndworthy? The price is not the... (10 replies, last updated by galleygirl December 31, 2002)

The original “Two-Buck Chuck” was actually labelled "Charles Shaw", and is available only at Trader Joe’s (at, as I recall, $2.98 on the East Coast), so since it isn’t available through the PLCB it... (1 reply, last updated by Capaneus October 18, 2004)

Today at Trader Joe’s, I spotted a $16 bottle of Trader Joe’s BRAND single malt scotch. What can anyone tell me about it? Is it the "Charles Shaw" of scotch, or am I getting greedy, and it’s just plain scotch... (2 replies, last updated by jenn March 17, 2004)

Thanks for the link. I enjoyed it. I got as a gift a couple of bottles of the “two-buck chuck” the article talks about (a.k.a. Charles Shaw, which sells for $2 a bottle at Trader Joe’s). To my palate, it’s... (1 reply, last updated by La dolce vita January 22, 2003)

Yes, I am embarassed to admit this, but I did try it. I let it breathe for about two hours. Great, no. But, it was better than the $1.99 TJ’s wine. (Charles Shaw) (16 replies, last updated by philfromfoxboro January 15, 2003)

I have tried the Amaicha Torrontes and I thought it was good. The other night I bought a bottle of the new 2007 Chilean Trader Joe’s Sauvignon Blanc – I think it was $2.99. Not bad, although we did a comparison to the... (3 replies, last updated by Dave MP December 3, 2007)

For anyone who is familiar with the Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw wines (the ones for $3), which ones do you recomend? I have already tried the Merlot, and thought it was awful... I know this isn’t great wine in general,... (18 replies, last updated by zin1953 February 5, 2008)

I do not like Charles Shaw, and so do not buy it. But I have to taste it relatively frequently. Charles Shaw, aka “Two Buck Chuck,” is plonk. Sometimes it’s decent plonk; sometimes, it’s vile. The Syrah... (24 replies, last updated by nanette90278 December 16, 2007)

It’s not great but it’s certainly worth $1.99. The article debunks the airline rumor. It’s some overstock Franzia got when Charles Shaw winery went out of biz or some such story. For $2.99, I prefer the... (14 replies, last updated by ira December 11, 2002)

Charles Shaw is brilliant if you are looking for the low-end. It is sold exclusively at TJ’s. (11 replies, last updated by wineglas November 22, 2008)