Grocery Outlet Wine & Food Bargains & Giveaway!

I love a bargain, the thrill of finding something at a great price. Of course, when it comes to picking a wine, it can be tricky. But when the Grocery Outlet wine sale rolls around it’s worth the gamble. All the wines are an additional 20% off their usual discounted price. So why are the wines at Grocery Outlet? It’s because Grocery Outlet buys "opportunistically." What does that mean? It means some of the wines did not fit well with the rest of a wineries portfolio or the company went out of business. Or the label changed. Or they needed to move the wine to make room for something else in the warehouse. Their loss, your gain! 

To help you find your own bargains I'm going to give you the inside scoop from Cameron Wilson, the Director of Wine, Beer & Spirits as well as my picks for speciality food...

After checking out the deals, do enter to win one of two $25 gift certificates to Grocery Outlet! 

Little Rascals Sauvignon Blanc $3.99

This is my favorite of the wines I tried. It’s a current vintage. There’s lots grapefruit and some grassy notes. A lovely Napa Sauvignon Blanc you’d normally pay at least $12 if not more.

Hill Wine Co Pinot Noir $7.99

This is not a Pinot for Cab lovers. It’s true to style, light and elegant with notes of strawberries and raspberries. The alcohol is a bit high at 14.5% but I liked it. It would be great with salmon and lamb.

Reserve Lot 11 Zinfandel  2011 $6.99

Ok I’m not a big fan of Zinfandel, but this is a Dry Creek Zin, and according to Wilson it’s not terribly high in alcohol or heavy handed. it’s true to the varietal not too big. Great for drinking right now. 

Cinzano Asti Spumante $5.99
This is usually around $10-15 and honestly it has the prettiest Italian label! It’s a good sweet sparkling wine with melon and peach and would make a fine hostess gift.

Domaine Laurier Alexander Valley Merlot $6.99
I didn’t find this to be as big and rich as Wilson described when I first opened it but after an hour or so it was lovely. It has some plum and pepper and would be great with beef or lamb.

Schlumberger Maison Rouge $4.99
They’ve had this wine before and it’s a good ‘“house red.” It’s nice round, good quality, not huge, 13.9% alcohol, good balance, this winemaker also makes some much higher end wines.

Frusion Pear $2.99
Ok this is a wacky pick! it’s a white with some pear juice, aroma you can find in wine. Wilson thinks it’s a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, maybe some Pinot Grigio. But the pear is just the hint of an aroma. Crisp dry fresh white wine. great with food, very refreshing.

And here are my grocery picks, all things I found in the Geary St store in San Francisco: 

Yarra Valley Marinated Feta 

$1.99 for 6.35 ounces

This luscious very soft and creamy feta is divine! Great on bread or vegetables or tossed with pasta. I've never seen it for less than about $7

Galbani Mozzarella Fresca 

$2.49 for 8 ounces

I buy this all the time for $5! It’s very good quality.

Aidells Sausage Organic

Spinach & Feta Smoked Chicken 

$3.99 for 12 ounces

Serve for dinner or with eggs, crazy cheap normally twice the price

California Olive Ranch Mild & 
Buttery Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$7.99 for a 500 ml bottle

This is from late season Arbequina olives, harvested this year! California Olive Ranch is already a very reasonably priced olive oil for the quality so this is a steal.  It’s $12.59 on their website. 

The One Pounder Dried Cranberries

$2.99 for 1 lb

Crazy, right? I didn’t buy these but it would be worth stocking up for baking season.

Please leave no more than one comment telling me your best discovery at Grocery Outlet or what you would buy with the gift card. You must have a US mailing address to win. Enter your email address as directed in the comment form, it will not be visible to anyone but me. I will choose 2 winners on Wednesday November 5th at 10PM PST. 

Disclaimer: My thanks to Grocery Outlet for providing the gift cards.