A Pinot Noir for $3.99? Sign me up!

Wine.

Cheap.

Trader Joe's.

You know the drill, and if you don't, you probably should because almost everyone does!

Popping in to browse the wine aisles is just something that has to be done. The number of times you do this, depends on your personal level of curiousity.

Mine is pretty high, so take that as you will.

Prices can be low at Trader J's, and sometimes you really get what you pay for. Sometimes you find a liquid jewel.

Fun that the wine variety is respectable for such a limited number of shelves. 

Catching my eye on a recent visit was a California Pinot Noir. 

Into my cart went a bottle of Emma Pearl, because for $3.99 a bottle, it begged to be purchased, right?

That is my logic, and I always stick to my logic.

A quick scan on the 'Net revealed it had received high marks, with the grapes being gathered in the central coastal region of California.

After digesting a fair amount of glowing words for Emma Pearl, The Dabbler was prepared to hit TJ's for a quick case. But, once sampled, I decided to put a cork in that decision.

Emma Pearl is not bad; it is more like an indifferent wine.

Once in the glass, the color seemed on the pale side. 

Once lifted to the nose, there were hints of berries and anise.

Once sipped, it was...fine...okay...nondescript.

The Dabbler will find another Trader Joe's cheap (should I say inexpensive to keep it classy?) wine to sample, but you could go ahead and try Emma Pearl for yourself.

​I have never claimed to be an expert, just a dabbler on a small scale!

---