Two Buck Chuck @ Thunderbird Motel, Savannah. March 22

As I learned in Atlanta, this California marketing phenomenon is still around.

Launched by the California-based Trader Joe's supermarket chain in 2001, the Charles Shaw Blend wines went on sale for the unbelievable price of $1.99 as the Bronco wine company took advantage of the huge glut of wine grapes at the turn of the century.

Before setting out to beautiful Savannah, picking up some snacks at a supermarket seemed like a good idea and the nearest supermarket was Trader Joe's - a name I recognized from the wine press. In addition to "sweet lemons", which looked like orange coloured lemons and tasted like sour/bitter oranges, Trader Joe's had a large stack of "Charles Shaw Blend" wines at the end of the wine aisles. Seeing the price ($2.49), I realized it was Two Buck Chuck and had to get some. Although the store wasn't too busy, half a dozen people grabbed bottles as perhaps two people browsed the two aisles of other wines. Price for a case: $29.88.

Charles Shaw Blend Merlot 2005. $2.49
After opening the real cork and pouring, there's a nice medium ruby colour and a moderately fruity - and slightly candied - nose. Very smooth on the palate. No evident tannins and moderate to low acidity, indeterminate red fruit and again a candied quality. Extremely easy drinking. No complexity and a forgettable finish. Put a "1" in front of the price, though, and mix it in with product at the LCBO or The Wine Rack, and not many would think it a rip-off. Quite impressive for the price.

Gotta get some? Nearest location is Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and there are five other stores in metro Detroit. Wine prices vary from state to state, but you can be sure it will be the cheapest one on the shelves.