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Article: California drinking; Wine.(A taste for cheap wine)(Industry Overview)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- June 7, 2003
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Why a cult $2 plonk has America's wine industry in a spin
WHEN Fred Franzia speaks, America's winemakers tremble--for he is suddenly the uncontested heavyweight of the industry. Mr Franzia is not, however, a dilettante maker of fancy $300-a-bottle Cabernet. His wine, sold under the Charles Shaw label, is rather more modestly priced. Each bottle--of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot or Sauvignon Blanc--costs just $1.99. Hence its affectionate nickname: Two-buck Chuck.
Since it came on to the market last year, Two-buck Chuck has become the fastest-growing wine in the history of America's wine industry. Visit any California branch of Trader Joe's, a ...