Bottle Rocket: Master Sommelier Barbara Werley on Whole Foods New $3 Wines

I just tasted the three varietals of the Three Wishes wines that Whole Foods is rolling out as their house brands, and wow, was I pleasantly surprised!

All three– the Cabernet Sauvignon, the Merlot, and the Chardonnay–all showed typical characteristics of each grape. Usually, when you spend this little on a wine (each is priced at $2.99 a bottle, $33 per case of 12 bottles), the wines taste like they were made in a laboratory by a food scientist, not a winemaker.

The Chard was bright with aromas of golden apple and yellow pear. It had good balance and a creamy texture. The merlot had a bright, red berry nose with the characteristic touch of green herb that I look for in Merlots … very easy drinking with soft tannins.

The Cabernet tasted more complex, with dark fruits like blackberries and plums, but was also lovely to drink.

For the price, these wines are exactly waht they should be–varietaly correct, uncomplicated, easy to drink and very affordable!

Barbara Werley is a Master Sommelier and directs the wine program at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse. She writes about wines for EscapeHatchDallas