Costco Whites (January 2021)

Your interest in our Costco Reds blog last week was amazing.  Thanks for all of those who stopped by.  As promised, here is our selections for Costco Whites, Rosés, and Sparklings that won’t break the bank.  All are currently available (1/15/21) via the Costco website “Same-Day Delivery” option.  Obviously, the online offerings do not include everything Costco sells but the selection is still quite good.  And for those folks willing to slap on a mask and walk in the store, you’ll be rewarded with even cheaper pricing!  Happy Hunting! 

Sauvignon Blanc

• Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)

4.1 Vivino Stars (41k+ Reviews).  Marlborough is my favorite region for clean and crisp Sauvignon Blancs.  Villa Maria’s Private Bin delivers and at an amazing price point.  This wine features aromas bursting with passionfruit, melon, citrus, and hints of grass. It is crisp and bright on the palate, with refreshing acidity and layers of juicy fruit flavors. It pairs perfect with seafood, salads, fried food, white meat, lighter cheeses, and tomato dishes.  Our runner up for a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is the consistently excellent Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc.  4.0 Vivino Stars (54K+ reviews).

• St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley, California)

4.0 Vivino Stars (5k+ Reviews).  If you’re looking for something closer to home, this is a great offering out of Napa.  Pale straw yellow in color with hints of green hues. This wine gives generously of pink grapefruit and lime citrus aromas with a subtle thread of green guava and fennel. A vivid freshness on the palate with flavors of grapefruit and lime zest zinging through the finish.  If you want to kick it up a notch, you could try Orin Swift Blank Stare Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley, California).  4.1 Vivino Stars (1.7K+ Reviews).

Pinot Grigio

• Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Alto Aidge (Italy)

4.0 Vivino Stars (10k+ Reviews).  Located in Italy’s northernmost wine-producing area where Pinot Grigios rank among Italy’s finest.  With its straw-yellow hue, clean intense aroma, and crisp, well-balanced taste, this Pinot Grigio is as authentic as it is refreshing. For those who love a dry white wine with the delightful aroma of Golden Delicious apples, this wine is unparalleled at its price point.

Chardonnay

• Stags’ Leap Chardonnay (Napa Valley, California)

4.0 Vivino Stars (8k+ Reviews).  Pleasing aromas of citrus, tropical fruits, peach, spice, and floral notes are the introduction to this balanced Chardonnay.  Flavors of green apple, lemon, and pineapple dance on the palate, and a slight creaminess envelops your mouth from aging on the lees.  A few other premium bottles caught our attention, but both are currently available on Vivino at better pricing.  Patz & Hall Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast, California) 4.1 Vivino Stars (18k+ Reviews) and Grgich Hills Chardonnay (Napa Valley, California) 4.1 Vivino Stars (7k+ Reviews).

• Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuissé (France)

4.0 Vivino Stars (12k+ Reviews).  Pouilly-Fuissé is a region of France that produces Chardonnay (France names wine by regions vs. grapes).  Maison Louis Jadot’s Pouilly-Fuissé has emerald gold tones with a taste that is harmonious, fresh, and full of flavors (think hazelnuts, toasted almonds, grapefruit, and lemon). It must be served rather cool and goes very well with shellfish, fish, white meat in cream sauce, and poultry.  Like many French wines, Pouilly Fuissé is pleasant to drink young but can be aged (5-8 years) to develop a superb complex bouquet.

Riesling

• Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinett Blue Slate (Mosel, Germany)

4.0 Vivino Stars (4.8k+ Reviews).  Dr. Loosen’s Blue Slate captures the essence of Mosel Riesling from old vines spread throughout the estate’s six Grand Cru vineyard sites. High toned, spicy aromas of baked apple, peach cobbler, minerals, and smoky slate. Intense and focused on the palate with flavors of white peach, green apple, key lime pie, and wet stone.  A fantastic value that lends itself to classic German schnitzel, smoked ham, medium ripe cheeses, and even barbecue. 

Moscato

• Santo Moscato d’Asti Piedmont (Italy)

4.2 Vivino Stars (900+ Reviews).  Emerald straw color with sweet, floral aromas of honeycomb, honeysuckle, lilac, and orange blossom. A crisp, spritzy, fruity light-to-medium body and an effortless, medium-length apricot nectar, cantaloupe, and tangerine sorbet finish. Zero oak flavor. A very pleasant and elegant Moscato d’Asti perfect for celebrating before or after the meal.

• Stella Rosa Il Conte d’Alba Moscato (Italy)

4.2 Vivino Stars (1.4K+ Reviews).  A semi-sweet, semi-sparkling wine with flavors of peach, apricot, and honey.  Pairs well with fresh fruit, salted nuts, fondue, Pad Thai, chicken Alfredo, and cheesecake.

Rosé

• Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel (France)

4.1 Vivino Stars (47k+ Reviews).  Whispering Angel is one of the queens Côtes de Provence and helped kick-off America’s love affair with Rosé.  Showing a light salmon color with fresh aromas of strawberry and red raspberry, this wine is full bodied and round on the palate.  Fresh red fruit flavors with some tropical and mineral notes glide over your palate.

Sparkling Wine

Unfortunately, this was an area at Costco where we struggled to find a good deal for well-priced, high-quality wine.  There were various bottles that caught our eye, including the Veuve Clicout Brut Rosé (France) 4.3 Vivino Stars (16k+ Reviews), the Veuve Clicout Brut (France) 4.2 Vivino Stars (97k+ Reviews), and the Perrier-Jouët Champagne (France) 4.2 Vivino Stars (30k+ Reviews) but we could find each of them (and many other Costco offerings on sparkling wines) at better prices online.  Sometimes upwards of 20% cheaper!  We did, however, find one bottle that had a fair price and – if you’re willing to splurge a little – an outrageous deal.

• Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs (California)

4.1 Vivino Stars (6.9k+ Reviews).  If you’re in a pinch and need a great sparkling wine at a fair price from Costco, this is it.  Bright and fresh aromas of green apple, apricot, and orange blossom. The fruitful fragrance intermingles with hints of honey and lemon zest. Freshly sliced peaches, pear, and bright pineapple flavors carry vibrant length on the palate.  While this wine can be enjoyed by itself as an apéritif, it is perfect with fresh oysters and other shellfish, crab cakes, ceviche, and grilled sea bass. It is also delicious with lemon chicken and Thai curries. Serve with aged Gouda or other hard cheeses, and as a counterpoint to soft triple creams. 

• Bollinger Brut Rosé Champagne (France)

4.2 Vivino Stars (9k+ Reviews).  If you can splurge a little (around $50-55/bottle), get this one.  This is spectacular Rosé Champagne — perhaps the best non-vintage Rosé that I have had. Concentrated yet completely effortless, this barrel-fermented gem has everything one could want from a Rosé Champagne.  The color is pale copper. Aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and toasty lees. A full-bodied and round flavor in the traditional Bollinger style of red berries.  Blend:  Pinot Noir (62%), Chardonnay (24%), and Meunier (14%). Over 85% of the wine comes from Grand and Premier Cru vineyards.