What is the story behind Two Buck Chuck
Charles Shaw wine
Charles Shaw is a brand of bargain-priced wine. Largely made from California grapes, Charles Shaw wines currently include Cabernet Sauvignon, White Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Valdiguié in the style of Beaujolais nouveau, and limited quantities of Pinot Grigio.
Why is it called Two Buck Chuck?
Affectionately known as "Two-Buck Chuck" because of its affordable price tag, Charles Shaw wine dates back to the 1970s, when a man named Charles Shaw, now 74, moved to Paris and fell in love with wine. Shaw had the dream of bringing French wine to America and did just that.
What happened to two Buck Chuck wine?
He filed for bankruptcy and ended up selling the vineyard and trade name to Fred Franzia, owner of Franzia and Bronco wines, for $27,000. The irony is, Charles Shaw didn’t even set the price that brought his once-prize-winning wine to cult fame as Two Buck Chuck. Franzia did, thanks to a sudden surplus of grapes and inexpensive production costs.
Is two Buck Chuck coming back to Trader Joe's?
Regardless of how it ended up on Trader Joe’s shelves, customers can rest assured that Two Buck Chuck isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’s basically has a permanent spot among these other cheap things you should only buy at Trader Joe’s. Sorry, the video player failed to load.
What does two Buck Chuck taste like?
As you would expect, Two Buck Chuck (and most red wines for under $10) explode with fruit flavors and bold oaky scents. My 2014 Chuck was full of black fruit aromas: blackberry, black cherry, plum, cassis, and loads of vanilla.

Who created Two Buck Chuck?
Charles ShawThe Bronco Wine Company Buys Charles Shaw Shaw once produced, and CEO of Bronco Wine, Fred Franzia (yes, that Franzia) revisualized the product. His company created the now famous Two Buck Chuck, something the original Charles Shaw knew nothing about at the time.
Is 2 Buck Chuck still 2 bucks?
“Two-Buck Chuck” has returned to the shelves of Trader Joe's at the $1.99 price that inspired the nickname. Chuck, aka Charles Shaw, actually never left — but the price for the wines, available in both red and white, had risen to $2.99 over the years.
Why is Three Buck Chuck so cheap?
It is simply a bargain-priced wine made by Charles Shaw Winery. The wine took the country by storm when it was introduced in 2002 in Trader Joe's stores in California, selling for $1.99 a bottle. Shipping costs push that up to $2.99 or more on the East Coast, so make that Three Buck Chuck.
Is there a wine called Two Buck Chuck?
Trader Joe's has quite a reputation when it comes to wine. After all, each of the grocer's line of signature Charles Shaw wines sells for just $3.99. Though a bit of a misnomer now, the wine's low costs have earned it the nickname "Two-Buck Chuck," as it used to retail for $1.99.
Does Trader Joe's own Charles Shaw?
Trader Joe's has sold nearly a billion bottles of its renowned Charles Shaw wine since 2002, yet the man who shares a name with the brand hasn't earned a dime from it.
Is Charles Shaw vegan?
Charles Shaw Red Wine Varieties Charles Shaw, affectionately known as “Two-Buck Chuck,” offers budget- and vegan red wine options. The inexpensive brand's red wine blends (cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, and merlot) are available at Trader Joe's and—according to Barnivore.com—are vegan.
Is Two Buck Chuck the same as winking owl?
Aldi's version of a Two Buck Chuck is the Winking Owl. The $2.19 wine comes in chardonnay, Shiraz, white Zinfandel, moscato, Cabernet Sauvignon varietals. Rows of new carts are set to go at this new Aldi store at 8531 La Palma Ave.
Why is Trader Joe's liquor so cheap?
Most of the company's vineyards are located in California's San Joaquin Valley, where the cost of land is much cheaper than the more prestigious Sonoma or Napa Valley, according to George M.
Does Trader Joe's still sell 2 Buck Chuck?
Trader Joe's, however, never really repeated Two Buck Chuck's success, even though much of the wine it sells today is private label. Neither has Bronco. A Two Buck Chuck-like brand aimed at restaurants, launched about a decade ago, came and went. But almost 20 years later, Two Buck Chuck is still here.
Why does Trader Joe's have cheap wine?
Most Trader Joe's wine is made under a private label arrangement. This gives Trader Joe's the exclusive on many of its labels, making it hard to compare prices directly. But buying large quantities and focusing on less expensive wineries all help keep prices low.
Does wine go bad?
But the clock is ticking: in as little as two days, oxidation can spoil a wine and, soon enough, this process will turn it to vinegar. First, the fruity aromas disappear, then its flavors turn dull and flat, with a sharp or bitter edge, and the color changes.
Does Trader Joe's still sell Charles Shaw wine?
This Trader Joe's wine, the old classic Two Buck Chuck, remains a super popular budget red and white wine at TJs. It's been around for almost two decades and is still priced under $2 in places like California.
The man behind the label
Before his name became synonymous with bargain booze, Charles Shaw was an early pioneer of the Napa Valley wine industry and made delicious, award-winning vino.
Bad breaks and big mistakes
After years of success as a legitimate Napa Valley winery, bad business moves, a baffling streak of bad luck, and an explosive divorce lead to the downfall of the multimillion-dollar brand.
Backsliding into bankruptcy
It was the early '90s and the business was in a free fall. Amidst the turmoil, a familiar wine mogul known for his shrewd, vulture-like business style snaps up the failing label. Shaw doesn't see a penny from the transaction.
Charles not in charge
Fred Franzia buys up the trademark and slashes the wine's price. The $1.99 tag stirs up a slew of rumors about the wine's quality, some of which aren't terribly off the mark. The brand is sued for the levels of arsenic in the wine.
Why is Charles Shaw wine called Two Buck Chuck?
Affectionately known as "Two-Buck Chuck" because of its affordable price tag, Charles Shaw wine dates back to the 1970s, when a man named Charles Shaw, now 74, moved to Paris and fell in love with wine. Shaw had the dream of bringing French wine to America and did just that.
Who was Shaw's wife in the 1960s?
Arabella Breck. But it wasn't always like that. After graduating from high school, Shaw joined the Air Force and traveled the country negotiating contracts. In the late 1960s, he found himself in California and met a girl named Lucy, who would become his wife and the mother of his children.
Does Two Buck Chuck aging wine?
Two Buck Chuck doesn’t exactly have a reputation for aging. While arguably the most well-known wine in America, Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw wine is more often the target of lampoons than accolades among the wine-drinking set. To be honest, I think they overdo it.
Is 2 buck chuck wine expensive?
But even a fan like me can admit that Two Buck Chuck, like most wine in the $2 price range, is typically enjoyed within a few hours of purchase. The practices that treat wine to age, like natural cork seals and new oak, are not utilized with most inexpensive wines, which won’t be cellared. Most wine treated to age is expensive, which makes it hard ...
Who owns the Bronco winery?
He filed for bankruptcy and ended up selling the vineyard and trade name to Fred Franzia, owner of Franzia and Bronco wines, for $27,000. The irony is, Charles Shaw didn’t even set the price that brought his once-prize-winning wine to cult fame as Two Buck Chuck.
What is the name of the wine that Trader Joe's sells?
Trader Joe’s is known for fairly cheap prices, but arguably its most famously priced item is Charles Shaw wine, otherwise known as Two Buck Chuck.
Is Two Buck Chuck going anywhere?
Regardless of how it ended up on Trader Joe’s shelves, customers can rest assured that Two Buck Chuck isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’s basically has a permanent spot among these other cheap things you should only buy at Trader Joe’s.
