Food and Drinks

Did you know merlot means “the little blackbird” in French? This is charming, but for the past decade or so, merlot might as well have meant “the little black sheep,” as this often-easy-drinking wine gradually saturated the market and was subsequently portrayed (at least in one popular film) as inferior to more “serious” wines, like Pinot Noir. We believe nothing could be further from the truth! To prove it, we present Trader Joe’s Reserve Merlot Sonoma Valley. When our panel first tasted this Sonoma Merlot from one of our longtime partners, we loved it. Indeed, it is spectacular. It’s intense with complex, ripe fruit and notes of berries, cocoa, and spice. It has a firm backbone, with tannins that are silky smooth. Basically, every sip is balanced, rich, and delicious! You won’t be disappointed, whether pairing it with rich chicken or pork dishes, pasta with red sauce, or aged cheeses.

Made by a family-owned brewery in Wisconsin that’s been a-brewin’ for more than 150 years, Simpler Times Pilsner is an old-world, Czech-style Pilsner that's refreshing, easy to drink, and has a well-balanced flavor that pairs swimmingly with seafood, sweet sauces, and reductions. And just like in simpler times, this brewer never adds any of the fillers found in some inexpensive beers. We’re all for simply terrific beer at a simply terrific price. Here’s to Simpler Times!