] SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- By now, most industry members are
] aware of the burgeoning trend in sales of $2 varietal
] wines that has apparently exploded on the West Coast, a
] result of the surplus of California bulk wine. The "Two
] Buck Chuck" phenomenon began last year at Trader Joe's
] chain of supermarkets, where Bronco Wine's Charles
] ["Chuck"} Shaw Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and
] Cabernet Sauvignon were selling for $1.99. Reports of
] waiting lines snaking out of the stores were not
] exaggerations. Indeed, one member of the California wine
] community recently told StateWays that she spent time in
] a store just watching consumers buying Two-Buck Chuck by
] the case -- mostly from two to five cases, and some even
] more.