I’m not writing this because I’m concerned with Gallo’s bottom line (I’m quite sure they’re getting along just fine). And really, the fact that my fellow Americans aren’t scooping up all the Gallo of Sonoma produced (boy, that would be tough!) means I can find older vintages sharing shelf space with the new releases – another bonus!

But, my love for you, dear WoW reader, compels me to write this literary Homer Simpsonish head slap (Doh!) encouraging you to revel in the good fortune (and great wine) that is the Gallo surplus!

Here are some gems to look for on your next wine-shopping odyssey (all are about $11 each):

2000 Gallo of Sonoma “Reserve”* Cabernet Sauvignon
1999 Gallo of Sonoma “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon (still plenty of it out there)
2000 or ’99 Gallo of Sonoma “Reserve” Chardonnay (California oaky, buttery style)
2000 Gallo of Sonoma “Reserve” Pinot Noir (Good, but not amazing. Better than most Pinots at this price)

For a real treat, splurge ($20-25) for Gallo of Sonoma’s black-label vineyard-designate wines. Any of the cabernet sauvignons or zinfandels from Frei, Stefani Ranch or Barrelli Creek vineyards are superb! The gold-label Laguna Chardonnay won’t disappoint, either. And, because the higher price means these move even slower than the white-label wines, you can still find some 1997 Barrelli Creek Cabernet sitting around. That’s criminal, but not nearly as criminal as if you don’t buy it next time you see it.

Cheers,
TSW

* - All of these wines say “Reserve” on them. As this is the entry-level label from Gallo of Sonoma, “Reserve” is, near as I can tell, just a silly marketing scheme.

Chances are, if you’re a wine drinker and live somewhere other than the United States, you’re drinking your fair share of Gallo wines. In fact, the label of those wines may even say “Ernest and Julio Gallo” as opposed to something more veiled. The name Gallo doesn’t hold the jug wine stigma in Europe and elsewhere that it continues to hold in the U.S.

And chances are, if you live in the U.S., you’re probably drinking your fair share of Gallo wines, too: you just don’t know it. Rancho Zabaco, Frei Brothers Reserve, Turning Leaf and many, many more are all tentacles of the Galloctopus.

But many of us are still not buying Gallo of Sonoma wines – leaving the ubiquitous, white labeled bottles to collect dust on the shelves and eventually go on super-reduced, “we’re-losing-money-on-every-bottle” clearance sales.

OK, so that part isn’t so bad for we consumers….

But here’s the problem: When not buying Gallo of Sonoma you may very well be buying something like Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve. Nothing against K-J, but were prices equal, Gallo would have the better value hands down. The thing is, prices aren’t equal. Gallo is a few bucks cheaper than K-J’s Vintner’s Reserve wines (and goes on sale every bit as often), making it the clear winner, hands up, down or waving all around.