Why is Charles Shaw wine so cheap?
Charles Shaw is a brand of “extreme value” wine. Almost exclusively from California vineyards, Charles Shaw wines currently include Cabernet Sauvignon, White Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Valdiguie in the style of Beaujolais nouveau, and limited quantities of Pinot Grigio. In 2009, an international version of Chardonnay from Australia was introduced in limited stores. These wines are sold exclusively by Trader Joe’s grocery stores, and sell for USD$1.99 in California, for which they are affectionately known as “Two Buck Chuck.” In 1991 Shaw and his wife divorced and sold his original Charles Shaw label to Fred Franzia’s Bronco Wine Company. The label had a good reputation, so Bronco used the name to market an inexpensive table wine.
Charles Shaw wine, also known as “Two-Buck Chuck,” is beloved by budget-minded wine drinkers. Though a bottle sells for a paltry $1.99, many feel the wine tastes, well, pretty darn good. So why is it so inexpensive? Apparently others have wondered the same thing. The urban legend experts at Snopes.com address the many theories. One is that airlines had to dump their stock of Charles Shaw after they could no longer use corkscrews on flights. Not true. Another possible explanation: “Charles Shaw himself, engaged in a bitter divorce struggle,” sought to reduce his winery’s value by “flooding the market with cheap wine.” Makes for a good story, but also not true. Alas, the real reason is far less interesting — there are too many wines in the world and not enough demand. Additionally, despite Charles Shaw’s prestigious Napa label, the wine is “almost certainly made from cheaper grapes from California’s Central Valley,” helping to keep Chuck’s
Charles Shaw wine, also known as “Two-Buck Chuck,” is beloved by budget-minded wine drinkers. Though a bottle sells for a paltry $1.99, many feel the wine tastes, well, pretty darn good. So why is it so inexpensive? Apparently others have wondered the same thing. The urban legend experts at Snopes.com address the many theories. One is that airlines had to dump their stock of Charles Shaw after they could no longer use corkscrews on flights. Not true. Another possible explanation: “Charles Shaw himself, engaged in a bitter divorce struggle,” sought to reduce his winery’s value by “flooding the market with cheap wine.” Makes for a good story, but also not true. Alas, the real reason is far less interesting — there are too many wines in the world and not enough demand. Additionally, despite Charles Shaw’s prestigious Napa label, the wine is “almost certainly made from cheaper grapes from California’s Central Valley,” helping to keep Chuck’s
Charles Shaw wine, also known as “Two-Buck Chuck,” is beloved by budget-minded wine drinkers. Though a bottle sells for a paltry $1.99, many feel the wine tastes, well, pretty darn good. So why is it so inexpensive? Apparently others have wondered the same thing. The urban legend experts at Snopes.com address the many theories. One is that airlines had to dump their stock of Charles Shaw after they could no longer use corkscrews on flights. Not true. Another possible explanation: “Charles Shaw himself, engaged in a bitter divorce struggle,” sought to reduce his winery’s value by “flooding the market with cheap wine.” Makes for a good story, but also not true. Alas, the real reason is far less interesting — there are too many wines in the world and not enough demand. Additionally, despite Charles Shaw’s prestigious Napa label, the wine is “almost certai
