WineLovers Discussion Group

I saw a reference to Three Buck Chuck the other day and wondered when the price went up? Or are they different wines with the Three Buck suggesting a higher quality level.

Higher quality level? No, a higher tax level. Two Buck Chuck has always been Three Buck Chuck in Washington State.

Two Buck Chuck is $2 because Bronco can sell directly to the retailer Trader Joe Outside of CA Bronco is required to go through a distributor/wholesaler. The added layer creates the added price, Also, the farther away, the greater the shipping costs. But it is primarily the three tier system the states impose that causes the higher price.

Supposedly due to rising costs, $2 Chuck is now going to become $2.49 Chuck in California.

What Hoke says has been historically true as Washington State wine prices have been driven up by its three-tier system. Now as a result of a recent voter referendum retailers can buy directly from wineries, but I don't know if Trader Joe's is doing that for their Three-Buck Chuck. When the referendum passed our hope was that wine prices would fall, but the most noticeable effect has been an increase in hard liquor prices thanks at least in part to the demise of state liquor stores and the implementation of stiff state taxes. But I defer to Hoke as he understands the system better than I do.

When did we first discuss 2 buck chuck here, 6-9 years ago?

Wouldn't normal inflation get you to 3 buck chuck today?