Trader Joe's Wine Guide
“Would you mind telling me your 3 favorite wine from Trader Joe’s?, read the text from my childhood friend Marie. She lives in California, where like Illinois, there is a remain in shelter order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though I’m a Trader Joe’s junkie, I rarely venture down their wine aisle and wasn’t exactly sure what to tell her. I did have a Trader Joe’s run planned for the following day and promised to get back to her with a list of suggestions. I’m sharing with you the list I provided her in hopes that it will come in handy for Trader Joe’s fans limiting their trips to just the essentials, like grocery shopping. Please keep in mind that I haven’t tried many of the wines recommended here. These are best case scenarios and my criteria included selecting varietals that are hard to screw up and regions that are known for being consistent values. And while you’re there, I highly recommend getting the Coconut Body Butter, it’s been a saving grace for my hands, especially with all the hand washing and sanitizer. Stay safe everyone!
Pro-tip: chill the reds slightly to make them taste more expensive. Aerate them in a decanter (or glass jug) to soften the texture and improve the aromas. Cheaper whites taste best super cold.
ERNEST RAPANEAU, CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE, BRUT NV (half bottle) $10.99
Winston Churchill said the following about Champagne, “In success you deserve it and in defeat, you need it.” We won’t be defeated but don’t be afraid to pop open some bubbly and treat yourself. The half-bottle size is ideal for one. At $11, this is an unbelievable deal for REAL Champagne.
GRUET BRUT ROSE, NEW MEXICO, NV $14
When it comes to sparkling wine, Gruet is one of the best deals on the market. 100% Pinot Noir with notes of red flowers and strawberries. Enjoy this sparkling rose with bbq, spicy food cheese and charcuterie.
VILLA SONIA, PINOT GRIGIO, VENEZIA, ITALY $6
Inexpensive Pinot Grigio has one job and that is to be as light and neutral as possible. I describe it as lemon water that will give you a buzz. The trick to cheap Pinot Grigio (or any cheap white wine) is to to chill it down as much as possible so you can’t taste the off-flavors. Pop this in the freezer for 20 minutes and you’ll be good to go.
VIGNOBLES LACHETEAU MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE, LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE $8
The Nantes region of France, located along the Atlantic, is world-famous for their shellfish platters and this is the local wine they enjoy it with. The grape is Melon de Bourgogne, fairly neutral and bland on its own, gets an infusion of texture and flavor with extended again on the lees (sur lie). Enjoy Muscadet in place of Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino or Pinot Grigio and serve it with foods needing a squeeze of lemon.
PINE RIDGE, CHENIN BLANC + VIOGNIER, CALIFORNIA $11
I’ve alway loved this blend with spicier dishes. It has a hint of fruitiness, bordering on a slight sweetness that is perfect for balancing the heat from spicier cuisines such as Thai, Indian and Szechuan.
OYSTER BAY, SAUVIGNON BLANC, NEW ZEALAND $11
Sauvignon Blanc is one of those grapes that is really hard to screw up and remains fairly consistent region-to-region, especially New Zealand. You have your usual suspect of flavors: grapefruit, cut grass, tomato leaf and passion fruit. Clean, fruity, no oak — it gets the job done.
WENTE VINEYARDS, CHARDONNAY, RIVA RANCH, ARROYO SECO, MONTEREY $16
There’s a lot of bad cheap Chardonnay out there, the kind that tastes like that dreadful stuff you get at banquet hall wedding. It’s important to find a reliable, quality producer who doesn’t cut corners with oak chips and artificial flavorings. Here’s a good one from Wente, aged in a combination of new and used French oak barrels. Buttery and oaky with ripe pear and tropical fruit notes.
FLORIANA, GRUNER VELTLINER, AUSTRIA $7
Gruner is another great swap-out for Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio but with a splash of white pepper. My TJ’s had it next to the sweet wines but it is bone dry and can be paired with Vietnamese, Japanese or Thai takeout.
AIME LA VIE, SYRAH-GRENACH, ROSE, FRANCE $8
Provencale-style rose, as opposed to other regions, tend to be fairly reliable and consistent given the price point. The designated appellation here is Pays d’Oc and includes an area encompassing south-eastern France, along the Mediterranean Ocean. The blend is 60-40 Syrah and Grenache and at $7 a bottle, you can literally do rose all day.
EPICURO, AGLIANICO, PUGLIA, ITALY $6
The best Aglianico comes from Campania but the grape can also be found growing in Puglia, where the warm sunshine yields plush, fruit-forward wines. Aglianico is one of my favorite pairings for pizza or anything with tomato sauce.
TENTATRE 33, ROSSO, SALENTO, PUGLIA, ITALY $6
Apparently this wine has a little bit of a cult following with budget wine bloggers. Made from 33% each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Montepulciano — hence the name Tentatre or 33. Its fans describe it as a pleasant wine for everyday enjoyment.
POGGIO CASONE, TOSCANA ROSSO, ITALY $11
Sangiovese on its own can be fairly light but what caught my eye with this wine is that it has a decent amount of Syrah blended into it. Syrah contributes body, color and black and blue fruit notes. Pair it with burgers, steak or meat sauces like bolognese.
CECILIA BERRETTA, SORRAI, APPASSIMENTO, VENETO $7
The appassimento is what caught my eye with this wine. The term refers to the process of drying grapes before fermentation, like they do with Amarone. The result is a ripe, full-bodied wine with flavors of raisins and figs. The blend here is 40% Merlot, 30% Corvina (Amarone's grape), 20% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Croatina. Enjoy it with pizza, grilled meat and hearty stews.
PASQUA, AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA, VENETO $20
And speaking of Amarone, I most certainly have never seen one at this price (starting price is usually $40). The wine is made from raisinated grapes which reduces the yield and is labor intensive. My friend Steve swears by this wine and says it’s as good as ones he’s had that are triple the price. Steve knows his wines so I trust what he says and am passing along his tip. Expect a full-bodied wine with flavors of dried figs, raisins and raspberry jam, alcohol is at 15%+.
BOIS DE MENGE, GIGONDAS, RHONE VALLEY, FRANCE $14
Gigondas is one of my favorite wines but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one for less than $20 a bottle. I’m experiencing a lot of pricing firsts at Trader Joe’s! Blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, it should yield notes of raspberry fruit, white pepper and dried Provencale herbs.
CARETAKER, PINOT NOIR, SANTA MARIA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA $10
Most value Pinot Noir is made from fruit all over California but this is Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo) specific, an area known for fruit forward, mouth-filling Pinot Noir. Remember the movie Sideways? This is the region I’m talking about.
LYRIC, PINOT NOIR, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA $20
A massive $10 upgrade from the Caretaker Pinot Noir made by the folks from Etude.
RUTHERFORD LANE, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY $20
I selected this Cabernet simply because of its Rutherfod appellation. It’s almost impossible to find a Napa designate Cab for less than $30. Rutherford is known for a flavor known as Rutherford dust which tastes and smells like a the dust kicked up on a gravelly road mixed with the aroma of a freshly opened tin of Hershey’s cocoa powder.
LA GARENNE, RED BLEND, BORDEAUX, FRANCE $8
I have little hesitation in recommending an inexpensive Bordeaux since the region has exploded in recent years with value-priced wines. The fruit here comes from Blaye—Cote de Bordeaux, a bulk wine region across the Gironde River from the Medoc. My best guess as to the blend would be Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Is it going to taste like something from the Haut-Medoc, nope but it’s decent and only $8 so keep that in mind.
GESTOS, MALBEC, ARGENTINA $9
The label here says Malbec + Malbec and is reference to the wine being made from fruit grown at two different elevation levels. You’ll still get everything you love about Malbec: purple-magenta hue, dark plums, violets and cocoa powder.
MARQUES DE CACERES, CRIANZA, RIOJA, SPAIN $12
I was actually surprised to see TJ’s doesn’t have a bigger selection from Spain, given their vast availability of value wines. Nevertheless, I felt compelled to include at least one offering from Spain and you simply can’t go wrong with an old standby like Marques de Caceres. Enjoy it with lamb, mushrooms or Mexican fare.
Prices quoted are Chicago-based, pricing and selection may vary accordingly.