I don’t know why but I really like Carlo Rossi Paisano wine, a cheap red wine that comes in a big ass jug. Maybe it’s because I’m related to real “California” Paisanos (aka Mexicans). Maybe because it’s cheap as hell and I can drink lots of it (to help loosen up my brain of course) without lightening my pockets too much. Maybe it’s because it tastes good straight up or mixed with fruit juice and/or Fresca (= ghetto sangria). Maybe because red wine is just so damn good for me. Whatever the reason, I love me some Paisano wine… and you should too!
I finally reached a stage of my life where I can afford “nicer” wines, but I find that my favorite is still Carlo Rossi Paisana. In fact, I’m enjoying a glass now and decided to google it when I found your blog.
Cheers…
I was very satisfied with my first taste because it’s a sweet wine. Any way since i am already stuck with the big ass jar of 4 litres i could now drink the sweet wine and can used the bottle for storage
I cannot possibly begin to define how much Carlo Rossi Piasano I have had in my life. I have also reached a point in my life where I can afford better bottles, but Carlo’s love keeps calling me back.
One glass easily turns into two, then to three, then to four, then I’m smarter and argumentative about just about everything, then I wish I had bought the 5 liter jug instead of just the 1.5L, then I blackout.
I don’t know what gives the bigger hangover, the alcohol or the sugar…I get the same headache after 25 pixie sticks.
I can also afford any wine i like, but i really love carlo rossi paisano. in fact i love just about all carlo rossi wine. its smooth and easy drinking. all my friends make fun of me the snobs they are but i love it and thats why i drink it
Found you searching Google for “Paisano wine” .. and absolutely love that the first hit is a blogger… how refreshing. My wife and I are trying this wine for the first time tonight and found it very similar in taste to some merlot’s we’ve had. It isn’t our favorite, but you’re right about the cheap price and huge jug.
Fred
P.S. Nice blog
I have a cellar with over a hundred bottles of wine, all of which are, objectively speaking, better than Paisano. Still, I enjoy its fresh fruity taste and lower buzz factor (11.5% alcohol). Maybe I love it because my grandfather gave me my first glass, calling it Dago Red. Grandma used it in her gravy, along with neckbones, of course, and to this day, my wife does the same. I’m just glad gramps isn’t around to see what inflation has done to his favorite wine. I just bought a 4L bottle for $7.99 (on sale from $12.99). He would have been outraged!
Just googled “Paisano” to find out what’s in it. Had my 1st glass just now - who cares what’s in it - it’s yummy! I usually like most merlots and pinot noirs. This is a little more sweet than I’m used to, but it looks like I have a new favorite. And cheap!
Tonight my wife and I are tapping our first “Big ass Jug”. I have to say that we are wine snobs. We live in the heart of Washington wine country, and can get a great bottle any time with a 5 min drive from our home, but no one in the land of wine snobs sells a “Big Ass Jug” and some times when the kids are in bed and the cows are sleeping, and I have been working in a dusty field all day (I am a real farmer), I need a Big Ass Jug.
Enjoy your wine.
P.S. Fresca is really good with this! Try it!
I too could afford much more $$ wines. I was at a very fine restaurant with my bro and we were drinking $50-$100 a bottle wine - and I didn’t have the b*lls to say how much more I enjoy my Paisano! Let someone else help out the economy and spend big bucks on the fancy wines!
I love Rossi’s Paisano Wine w/ Orange Fanta… It doesn’t sound that great, but trust me it is one of the best things you will try! I am definitely not a wine-o by anymeans… but this is a good drefeshing drink to unwind with at the end of the day!
I also love Paisano. I lived in Carmel Vally California in the 50’s and 60’s and we used to buy red mountain wine in a big jug for about 1.10 per. There is a local club of community leaders in Monterey County called “The Paisano Club. I knew a lot of those guys including the great Sheriff, Jack Davenport. They all liked big jugs of red wine. I believe at one time Gallo had a Paisano wine. Cheers to every one who has good things to say about my favorite. I live in Spokane County in Wa now.. Still going strong, working hard, and cooking steaks over a wood fire and and having a wee drop of Paisano. Hi to Joan Baez Do still you remember my good old horse?? …
Dave Mathews
no wine should be valued on price.as a 2nd generation gallo consumer most california wines are made to a industrial standard the consumer pays a premium for a label…8.oo per 750 is just not realistic for daily table wine sorry
My dad’s friend, from work, was from the Bronx. His name is Joe Martino. He used to bring over a jug of Paisano when he’d visit with my dad during “happy hour.” My dad would drink cheap scotch on the rocks and I’d sip some of Joe’s Paisano on the rocks. Anyways, I like this wine and have bought a big ass jug now and again. Just had a few glasses this evening. I like to cut up strawberries and put it in the glass too. Then at the end, take a spoon and eat them. They’re cold and fruity. My dad used to buy his scotch at the Coast Guard station PX. Black and white label with the word Scotch. Can’t get more generic than that. Anyways, hats off to Joe Martino, who also introduced me to Paisano and the Manhattan drink.
will never forget my first jug,friends said lets nickle up and get some wine,back in the sixties, cheapest stuff in the store but man it was good,still drink it today from time to time ahhhh baby
I really love red wine especially Merlot/Shiraz variety and often partake of very good quality types. After progressing from Paisano to the more up market wines, I always return to the comforting, slightly sweet taste of Paisano for relaxing at home every now and again.
I have been drinking this wine for many years now. My father used to drink it, and I would mix some with some 7up and make wine coolers. Unlike these fortunate people who can afford all this great wine, I cant afford so much. I drink one glass with dinner each night and it aids nicely in digestion. My uncle told me years ago in California during prohibition, Italian families were allowed to brew cheap wine to go with their dinner as was long tradition. My uncle (who was Italian) said this stuff is basically the same cheap table wine that families brewed back then. I simply love it, and cheap or not it still provides the benefits of red wine at an affordable price. Hats off to the Carlo Rossi family for carrying on this old tradition…
I drank Cribari Vino Rosso for 50 yrs. and was heartbroken when they ceased production. Paisano is close but no cigar. I’ll drink it anyway.