A good wine for what? A gag gift? Making sangria or some sort of punch/cocktail? Putting in a travel cup and discreetly sipping at their kids' soccer game? - Corinne L

Isn't Gallo like, one very small step above Boone's Farms? - Laura

Well white zin is one step above Boone's Farm on its own. Nobody with self respect drinks it on purpose. Gallo white zin? You not only hate yourself, but every family member twelve generations back. - Hookuh Tinypants

Now, now, I have self respect and I will occasionally quaff some white zin. It's a fun, easy wine. I call it a gateway wine because for some folks it gets them to try other wines. I would have never tried Zin if it hadn't been for white zin. - Corinne L

I would hesitate to call white zin a gateway wine since most people who drink it have little interest in developing beyond what is basically alcoholic Kool-Aid (in the wine world, white zin is quite literally known as "Kool-Aid"). You're the exception and not the norm unfortunately. - Hookuh Tinypants

I have talked to Amador County winemakers & winery owners about white zin & why it's got such a bad reputation - it was one of them who said yes, it can be a gateway wine for some. Interestingly enough, it seems moscato is replacing white zin in popularity. That stuff makes me shudder with its sweetness. - Corinne L

I would say that friends don't let friends drink Charles Shaw. Much better cheap wine out there. - Corinne L

The '90s called. They want their wine back. - The Other Yvonne

Ha! Yep. - Corinne L

I've had more than my fair share of white zin convos with winemakers and winery staff alike and white zin is generally a joke in the wine industry. I challenge whomever said its a gateway. *shrug* Dry muscats are actually quite nice. Cloying muscats are usually cheap shit from wineries looking to shut the white zin crowd up. I think Charles Shaw is actually an interesting case study in how supply and pricing can overcome industry barriers. You'd be surprised how many known winemakers do the same thing as Charles Shaw but charge industry standard prices because they can. - Hookuh Tinypants

In general I wouldn't let someone drink cheap wine. Inexpensive, yes. Cheap, no. - Hookuh Tinypants