Certified Sommelier Warner Boin Downlearn shares her five favorite bottles of wine at Costco, all available for $17 or less. By buying wine in larger quantities from reputable producers, Costco is able to offer good wine at excellent values.Downlearn’s favorite bottles include offerings from Italy, France, the United States, and New Zealand.
Many Costco members might have wondered, and rightly so, “What doesn’t this superstore have?” In addition to bulk spices, incredible pesto, and everything in between, you can also find excellent bottles of wine at the popular Washington-based big box retailer.
According to Certified Sommelier and wine educator Warner Boin Dowlearn, Costco is a surprisingly great destination for finding good wine, and you shouldn’t underestimate the Kirkland Signature bottles from Costco’s private label.
“There is so much of a stigma associated with the price of a wine and its quality,” she tells Food & Wine. “But [Costco is] able to purchase wine in large quantities from reputable producers… and offer them at significantly discounted prices, many times without sacrificing quality.”
As the founder of Confidence Uncorked on Substack, and a self-described “snob-free sommelier,” Downlearn is dedicated to helping wine lovers find accessible bottles that are budget-friendly but still hit the spot.
To help grocery shoppers across the country who are looking for wines that are “delicious, affordable, food-friendly, and headache-free,” the sommelier shared her five favorite Costco wines with us, highlighting bottles from France, New Zealand, Washington, and Italy.
Kirkland Signature Gigondas ($14)
Dowlearn is a big fan of wines from the Gigondas region in France, noting that “You can get amazing quality without having to spend much.” She loves this $14 bottle as an easy-drinking red wine, and the wine educator often brings it to dinner parties “when I don’t know what everyone’s preference is.”
As the sommelier tells Food & Wine, Gigondas is an “underrated region” located in the Southern Rhône Valley of France and “is considered a little brother to the uber-famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape” region. With a blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 5% Mourvèdre, this Costco wine features notes of “berries, cherry, herbs de Provence, lavender, and a delicious earthy component.”
Kirkland Signature Côtes de Provence Rosé ($8)
Rosé season is still upon us, and Costco has “the perfect poolside rosé,” according to Dowlearn. Hailing from the Provence region of France, this rosé is light, dry, and “not sweet,” as the sommelier emphasizes. It’s ideal for warm-weather drinking with refreshing notes of “light berries, citrus, jasmine, and a little salty minerality” that she loves.
Kirkland Signature Marlborough Ti Point Sauvignon Blanc ($8)
The wine-making region of Marlborough, New Zealand, is probably best known for its zesty and herbal Sauvignon Blancs. Dowlearn explains that you can expect “grassy, grapefruity, citrusy, and herbal characteristics” from the Kirkland Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
The sommelier finds this bottle to be bright with acidity and offers great value for its price. She recommends pairing it with a jar of the Meredith Dairy Marinated Sheep & Goat Cheese, a rich goat cheese coated in Australian extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and herbs, which sounds like a perfect happy hour plan.
Kirkland Signature Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG ($7.59)
If you find yourself reaching for a spritz whenever you’re entertaining, it’s a good idea to keep a few bottles of Prosecco in the fridge. Dowlearn mentions that Kirkland Prosecco is perfect for entertaining, as “it’s a super solid bottle and you really can’t beat the price.” This Prosecco is made with Glera grapes in Asolo, located in the Veneto region of Italy, and it’s widely known as an affordable favorite among many Costco shoppers.
This bottle is light and fruity with floral notes, making it the sommelier’s “go-to for a spritz or easy-drinking [option for a] celebration.” She also says that it’s extra dry and has “a touch of sweetness, like La Marca.”
Kirkland Signature Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine ($17)
This Costco red is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah grapes, all grown in the Columbia Valley in Washington, which Dowlearn says makes great wine. The Kirkland Signature blend has notes of “juicy blackberries, spice, subtle oak, and a good bit of tannin that’s not overpowering.”
Exact prices for each bottle may vary depending on store location.
Dining and Cooking