Back in the day, E&J Gallo‘s Thunderbird was a fortified wine, known for its yellow color and intoxicating effects thanks to 20% alcohol content. Gallo pulled it from the market after sales cooled and it was lumped with cheaper fortified wines such as MD 20/20 and Wild Irish Rose.
Gallo’s relaunching the product, in slow roll out starting in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Retail: $9.99 a bottle. A striking black label has the famous Thunderbird logo. On the back label: “The American Classic. Our aim at Thunderbird is to make big, expressive wines that have a distinct point of view.” And it’s now 14.5% ABV.