Trader Joe’s stocks oodles of culinary delights at prices that often seem too reasonable to be real — and Trader Joe’s wines are no exception. With the help of a few experts, we’ve curated 14 wines from the market’s budget-friendly portfolio — from dry bubblies and sweeter wines that can accompany cheese or dessert to solid “reds for every occasion.” Many are around (or below) $10, and all are priced under $20!
For starters, if you’re feeling unsure in the wine aisle, consider the Trader Joe’s employees an excellent resource. Sommelier Dana Beninati advises, “They know the products well, which is special for a corporate purveyor of alcohol,” she tells us. She adds that inventory can be location-dependent, “If you can’t find a wine at the Trader Joe’s down the road, don’t be surprised if one on the other side of town actually has it!”
*Exact pricing may vary by location.
SPARKLING WINES
Cecilia Beretta Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore Brut
Price: $10.99
Bubbles aren’t just for celebrations. They pair well with a variety of courses and flavors, and this particular prosecco is dry and refreshing. Sommelier Samantha Capaldi — known for her “couch crusher” pairing series featuring Trader Joe’s snacks and other fast and comfort foods — suggests pairing it with salty, fried snacks like TJ’s Ghost Pepper Potato Chips or White Truffle Oil Potato Chips. You can also pop this bottle with fried chicken, tempura, or fritto misto.
La Burgondie Crémant de Bourgogne
Price: $10.99
Similarly, this wine opens the palate for a light bite of caviar (on a potato chip with crème fraiche, perhaps?). It is an excellent sparkling option that, as Food and Wine Writer Bernadette Machard de Gramont says, “drinks well alone or within a Kir Royale or other mimosa-type cocktail.”
Fun fact, “crémant” refers to sparkling wines from France made in the same traditional style as Champagne but not within the Champagne region. Crémant de Bourgogne is from Burgundy, Crémant de Loire is from the Loire Valley, and so on! Grape varieties may also differ; this crémant is made with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay, and Aligotè grapes.
Mionetto DOC Treviso Brut
Price: $10.99
Mionetto is familiar — you’ll likely know it as soon as you see the signature label. What might be lesser known is the meticulous quality associated with the brand, which dates back to 1887. Mionetto proseccos energize the palate, accenting refreshing citrus, floral, and almond notes.
DOC means a wine has been produced in an Italian “Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), and specific guidelines determine the requirements for growing grapes and making a particular style of wine. Mionetto’s Cartizze DOCG and Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG are also great finds, as a “Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) reflects a smaller growing area with superior growing conditions.
REFRESHING WHITES
Espiral Vinho Verde
Price: $5
This wine from northern Portugal is available exclusively at TJ’s! As a Vinho Verde, it has a bit of understated effervescence (not as pronounced as the crémant and prosecco, but very refreshing). It is a snappy, light-bodied, citrusy summer wine.
While it will also pair well with anything salty, spicy, and zested with lemon, Samantha also suggests pairing this one with jalapeño poppers, shellfish, and ceviche. This wine has a very low ABV, or alcohol by volume, which can be ideal for leisurely summer pool days.
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier White Blend
Price: $13.99
This wine offers a wonderful option for those looking for a slightly fuller body compared to the Espiral while bringing in layers of floral notes. Jon Thorsen of the Reverse Wine Snob writes, “We’ve been drinking it for years and have yet to be disappointed.” Samantha’s couch crusher pairing is dill pickle or sour cream and onion chips, or a creamy, tangy brie.
Les Portes de Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc
Price: $7.49
“This is one of my go-tos at TJ’s,” says Catherine Tansey, a freelance journalist who reports on food, beverage, travel, and design. White wines occupy only 10% of wine production in Bordeaux, as reds have defined this region in southwest France for three centuries.
Enjoy this wine (which will bring in flavors of lemongrass and summer melon) with oysters, lobster, cod, and other white fish preparations or alongside a decadent goat cheese.
ROSÉ AND ORANGE WINES
La Vieille de Ferme Rosé
Price: $7.49
This iconic summer rosé is a flavorful blend of red berries, floral notes, and minerality. Samantha says, “It’s a ten out of ten — the porch pounder of the century.” The wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault grapes. Samantha says it pairs perfectly with Trader Joe’s chili lime tortilla chips.
Famille Perrin produces this rosé in the South of France and advises pairing it with cold buffets and grilled meats. It’s also easy to find, as the front label features a playful country French rendering of a rooster and a chicken.
REDS FOR EVERY OCCASION
Maison Barboulot Cabernet-Syrah
Price: $6.99
This light-bodied, fruit-forward red — a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah — can be served slightly chilled during the summer. It’s a versatile crowd-pleaser that also elegantly balances fall and winter fare. Consider it a lively, fruity complement to Thanksgiving and other holiday menus. TJ’s describes it as “one of the finest hidden gems in our entire wine section.”
Rosa del Olmo Barbera d’Asti
Price: $6.99
Similarly, Barbera d’Asti is a light-bodied Italian red. Food, Wine, and Travel Journalist Mickey Lyons describes it as “a great all-purpose wine for pasta, burgers, and curry dishes.” Barbera is an Italian grape that doesn’t need to age long before consumption.
It also captures enervating acidity without being high in tannins, making it an excellent pairing for pizza, tomato-based pasta dishes, or alongside a tangy hard cheese.
Ruggero Di Bardo Susumaniello
Price: $10.99
This medium-full-bodied wine is made from a lesser-known grape variety, Susumaniello, cultivated in southeast Italy’s Puglia region. Says Samantha, “It has vibes of the bold Cabernet Sauvignon many like but can be a little bit richer, having more dark fruit and soft, smooth tannins. For those who like a bit more grit and body, this is a pleasing wine while not overwhelming in terms of richness.”
Splurge worthy: Signal Wines Social 7 Red
Price: $17.99
This organic Malbec is cultivated in Mendoza, in Argentina’s Uco Valley, a niche growing region for this grape since the late 19th century. (Malbec originally hails from Bordeaux.) Malbec’s bold, concentrated, plummy flavors are made further complex during the aging process, and the wine also expresses notes of cocoa and clove.
Not only is this red easily paired with lamb tagine, grilled steak, and charcuterie with dried fruit, it’s one of the few wines on the market sold in eco-friendly alternative paper packaging, which Dana says “makes it an easygoing summer picnic wine.”
Splurge worthy: J. Lohr Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $17.99
Fifty years ago, Jerry Lohr was among the first to plant grapes in Paso Robles, California’s warm Central Coast region. The instinct paid off, launching a line of acclaimed wines. This wine is a steal, with red fruit flavors of cherries and red currants in a medium to full-bodied red with nicely integrated tannins. It’s a perfect pairing partner for many dishes, from veggie lasagna to steak frites.
DESSERT WINES
Epicuro Nero d’Avola
Price: $5.99
Nero d’Avola is Sicily’s defining red grape, thriving in the warm Mediterranean region while gathering robust color, body, and tannins. Dana describes this bottling as a “sweet twist on an old-school Italian classic that works well with cheese and will be a dream paired with a chocolate dessert.”
Porto Morgado Tawny Port, Aged 10 Years
Price: $10.99
Port is made by fortifying a red wine, typically with brandy, during fermentation. This stops the winemaking process and “fortifies” the base wine with sweetness and alcohol. Tawny port differs from ruby port as it’s exposed to more oxygen when aging in the barrel, so it takes on a translucent brown hue in the glass.
Porto Morgado makes a wonderful digestif, says Samantha, especially alongside a decadent, chocolatey dessert course.
Cheers!
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