The 14 Best Wines At Trader Joe's, According To A Former Wine Buyer
Go beyond $3 Buck Chuck.
So you found yourself looking for wine in a Trader Joe's and you're at a total loss. Do you go for a red? A white? Get something bubbly? And how is it all so cheap?
Well, I have a few tips I keep in my back pocket. Fun fact: For two years I had what some might consider a job that only exists in fantasies or holiday rom-coms: I used to order the cheese and wine for a Trader Joe's store. During my time at America's favorite quirky grocer, I had the super hard job of sampling many (if not all, oops) of the hundreds of wines the store offers (such a difficult task, please clap). To this day, my sole party trick is that I can pair wine to a person, mood, or weather report with an accuracy that I think is maybe a bit too spot-on.
First off, you definitely don't need to spend more than $10 (or even $5!) to get a quality bottle of wine at Trader Joe's. In my experience you can never go wrong with their imported wines, or any of the Trader Joe's Reserve wines (my favorites range from grand, platinum, all the way to diamond).
And if you find yourself unfamiliar with many of the wines in the store, worry not. About half of Trader Joe's wine inventory are exclusive to the store. Have you ever noticed that many of their wines have the word "moon" in their title? Those are all Trader Joe's specific wines, and are often commissioned by producers for their price (or sourced from distributors who are trying to sell off surplus unlabeled wines called “shiners”).
If you've ever had $3 Buck Chuck, you're likely well acquainted with shiners, as the same maker produced the boxed wine staple Franzia. Fred Franzia (RIP) was very well-known for buying bulk grapes. We can thank Fred for this practice, which is largely responsible for all those deliciously affordable private-label wines you can now find at Target, Whole Foods, and even Costco.
Looking for more wine inspiration? Check out all of our favorite cheap wine picks, wine subscriptions, and top celebrity wines.
Cecelia Beretta Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore Brut
This blend of grapes uses both Petit Verdot (most commonly used in French Bordeaux) and Petite Syrah, and it's certainly hard to compete with. Richly inky and jammy, yet with a bit of acid and baking spices, this wine is a perfect for sipping after dinner.
This lush California Viognier is one of the best kept secrets at Trader Joe's. Ultra smooth, fruity without being cloyingly sweet, and slightly floral, this full-bodied white is perfect for mid-day drinking.
Tapas time calls for a supremely easy-drinking Spanish Syrah like El Castilla. With notes of smoky vanilla and blackberry, this is a perfect accompaniment to your next cheeseboard.
Pro-Tip: If you like your reds on the rich, fruity side (or love more-pricy wines like an Amarone della Valpolicella), do yourself a favor and pick up any wine that says "appassite" or "apassimento" on the label. This term means "dried" in Italian and refers to the process of rehydrating dried grapes (which have a higher sugar content) to produce a fuller bodied wine.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are world-famous for a reason, and this one is no exception. The Kono is refreshingly crisp, a bit herby, and has a hint of melon and grapefruit that makes it go down very easily on a summery day.
The best way to describe this wine is "peppy," with perfectly crisp notes of green apple and melon that make it ideal for drinking on any front porch or stoop. This Portuguese white wine also has the lightest of bubbles that makes it almost kombucha-adjacent. Yum!
If you're in dire need of a vacation, this South African Chenin Blanc-Viognier is a tropical beach day in a glass. Notes of lychee, honeysuckle, and jasmine make this a warm weather go-to.
Not to be confused with sweet Muscat, Muscadet is a bone-dry French white with an irresistibly salinity that will have you feeling you've just spent a day at the beach. We opt for Muscadet when we're grilling out some cedar-plank salmon.
As fun to say as it is to drink, Susumaniello is another Southern Italian favorite. Ideal for a nightcap, this particular bottle has loads of spice, vanilla, and leather notes.
Did you know that beurré is not only the French word for "butter" (or "buttered") but it's also a slang term meaning "drunk." If Chardonnay's often feel too heavy for you, this citrusy-yet-buttery French Chardonnay is a great middle-ground. Let's just say this super smooth, buttery French Chardonnay certainly earns all meanings of its name.
A favorite hostess gift, this Pinot Noir Brut Rosé will easily convert any friends who think they're not bubbly or rosé people. The Opaline has a beautiful bottle, and the wine inside is an excellent medium-bodied rosé with notes of strawberry and peach. No exaggeration, I've even heard of customers using the bottle for the body of lamp.
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