Lemondrop

If you're like us (or Maggie Griffin) you still haven't fully recovered from the death of the boxed-wine guy. And now, the man responsible for bringing the world Two Buck Chuck (and the portion of our 20s spent drunkenly singing along to Joni Mitchell -- yes, we're available!) has passed away.

News arrived today that Trader Joe's co-owner and German billionaire Theo Albrecht died last week at the age of 88 in his home city Essen, Germany. After reading up on Theo, we think he would have made a great character in the late Stig Larsson's "Girl With a Dragon Tattoo" trilogy.

In honor of the man behind the wine you can buy when don't have enough money in your checking account to get out a 20 at an ATM, here are 10 facts about Theo, his wine and his empire:

1) Theo also co-founded the ALDI supermarket chain with his brother, Karl.

2) Theo was kidnapped for 17 days in 1971 and became a recluse thereafter. A $4.67 million ransom was paid for his release, which we feel is a very specific-sounding ransom.

3) Theo negotiated the exclusive sale of Two Buck Chuck from a subsidiary of Bronco Wines, a company owned by Fred Franzia ... of the Franzia Franzias.

4) Like any good rich recluse, Theo had a passion for collecting old typewriters and rare orchids.

5) He was an avid golfer. (And a recluse? Whatever, you're a German millionaire, you can have an indoor golf course.)

6) While the price of TBC varies, it's at its cheapest in its home state of California, where it retails for $1.99 per bottle.

7) Theo did not serve for the Germans in World War II. He was busy working at his mother's grocery store, which is totally better than being a Nazi.

8) Thanks to Theo and TJ's, sales of Two Buck accounts for at least 8 percent of wine sold in-state in California.

9) Theo collected and used pencil stubs because he thought pens were expensive. This, friends, is why we are not millionaires.

10) Theo's wine is available in cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, sauvignon blanc, Shiraz, and -- in limited quantities -- Beaujolais and pinot grigio. (Rumors have been a-swirl of a Two Buck Pinot -- a girl can dream!)

Have a favorite Two Buck memory? Healing is about talking it out. The wine site Bottle Notes is encouraging you to share. <