10 Nov Even more celebrity wine – 19 Crimes Martha’s Chard
This is not rocket science.
It’s basic business.
As long as celebrity endorsement/association/cachet
helps sell product, celebrity wines will continue to proliferate.
The number of collaborations between winemakers and
famous musicians, actors & athletes just keeps growing.
Seemingly, so does the average price point.
Rapper/music producer/entrepreneur Jay Z has a 50% stake
in a Champagne producer, Armand de Brignac.
Jay Z assists in the promotion of Brignac’s products.
The brand’s “entry level” bottle,
Ace of Spade NV, gets wonderful reviews.
It should. The price is stratospheric.
Armand de Brignac Ace of Spade NV
is available at Total Wine for $329.97.
It’s Wine Thursday!
Every Thursday, we check out a good wine
that sells at a reasonable price
and is easy for you to either pick up at the store
or order online.
This week, we’re taking a leap of faith as we evaluate
a popular, and potentially polarizing, celebrity wine.
Martha Stewart Chardonnay?
Really?
Yes, really.
Chardonnay shoppers might have noticed
this newcomer earlier in the year
when 19 Crimes launched Martha’s Chard in February.
True confessions: I initially dismissed it
as just another sub-par entry
in the celebrity wine universe.
Then last week, Wine Enthusiast named
Martha’s Chard as one of its Top 100 Buys for 2022.
On the 100 point scale, WE gave it 91 points,
calling it the 12th Best Buy of the year.
That provided more than enough reason
to put it to the taste test.
Despite the favorable review,
I was much more skeptical than eager
as I pulled the cork.
Turns out I was wrong.
Wine Enthusiast was right.
This is decent stuff.
Martha’s Chard is not your typical cheap Chardonnay oak bomb.
It’s full-bodied, yes, but there are appetizing pear and citrus flavors
that provide some zest, lift and a degree of complexity.
This begs to be served very cold.
And it’s not a crime, excuse the pun, if you drop
an ice cube or two into your glass.
Martha Stewart herself is on record as saying
ice cubes in her wine are not only acceptable,
they’re recommended.
Enough with the qualifiers and caveats.
Bottom line, Martha’s Chard is a pleasant surprise,
a suitable weeknight wine option and a nice value.
Where to buy it
You’ll find Martha’s Chard at Walmart for $11.48.
Total Wine’s price is $11.49.
It’s at Vons for $12.21.
It’s on the shelf at Safeway, Target, Jewell Osco and QFC for $12.99.
The price at Ralphs is $14.27.
Fred Meyer has it for $14.99.
World Market carries it for $15.99.
You can order it from Buy Wines Online for $11.50
B-21’s online price is $11.98
Wine Made Easy has Martha’s Chard for $12.99