Two more crazy delicious Trader Joe’s wines that are an insane value!
A well stocked Trader Joe’s wine store is a little piece of heaven.
Once again, I am saying great things about Trader Joe’s wines!
I try to stop, and then some wines I try just blow me away. Specifically, Northern California Reds!
Let’s talk about this!
The value you can get from Trader Joe’s wines is beyond incredible!
As usual, I apologize to those of you who don’t have Trader Joe’s wines near them. More apologies to those outside the country who don’t know what I’m talking about. The rest of the world has Aldi’s though. They have wine. Same concept.
(As I mention way too often, I am now one of those people who don’t have Trader Joe’s wines near them. I live in New York. We have none. I am not sure Trader Joe’s is listening when I whine so I will stop for now. It can get boring even for me.)
There should be enough information and fun stuff talked about to keep everyone entertained.
Doesn’t everyone want to hear about fabulous Northern California reds?!? Seriously. Everyone should.
And I finish up with some advice for how to shop for any wine. Stay for a while.
You can read all my other Trader Joe’s posts by clicking the category
Trader Joes Wines
right below the title!! Also at the end of this post! Woo! How cool is that?!?!?
Feel free to read them in any order. No spoiler alerts here.
In case you haven’t read the other posts:
The basics:
None of the wines I talk about are Two-buck chuck. I have never had Two-buck chuck. It isn’t even just two bucks anymore anyway.
I look for insanely low prices on wines that are usually only found at Trader Joe’s wine stores.
I love surprising friends and family with insanely delicious wines when they find out how low the price was. That is my thing! Of course, I’m sure many people don’t choose to reveal really low prices. No judgment here.
I know some restaurants that buy and mark up the price of many of these wines. They absolutely never let on that the wines came from Trader Joe’s. I am definitely judging! Do not get me started!
That being said, I do not usually buy wines with a Trader Joe’s designation on it. Right or wrong, it gives some people a preconceived notion of quality and price. Where’s the fun in that?!?!
However, one of these crazy delicious wines are Trader Joe’s brand.
Back to today’s post
Both of these bottles were purchased at the recommendation of someone who worked in the store. Huge shoutout to Chris in the Alexandria, Virginia store!!
Yes, I do have to go far afield for Trader Joe’s wines. The photo above, by the way, is not from this particular Trader Joe’s store.
I have had great success at Trader Joe’s wine stores getting great advice from knowledgeable people who work there.
Most of the people who work in the wine department really know their stock! Not all, of course. But most.
One of my posts I linked above specifically gives credit to great recommendations. That was in Massachusetts. Click here if you want to read it now.
If you find someone who is helpful and knowledgeable, rejoice! Listen to their recommendations. Whether you choose to purchase is always up to you.
The Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon that was recommended. So glad I took good advice!
Before, I mention this particular wine, let’s talk about Trader Joe’s branded wines.
There is a whole hierarchy thing going on.
At the top, there is Diamond Reserve, then Platinum Reserve, then Reserve and then the “lowly” Petit Reserve. Quite frankly, most of the wines are above my price point. I really try to keep the price under $10 at Trader Joe’s.
If I could go to a Trader Joe’s Wines all the time (again, I do not live close), and if I could get great advice as I mentioned above, maybe I would try the higher priced wines.
There are honestly people who stake out and wait for these wines to arrive so they can snatch them up.
However, I did listen to great advice and did buy the Petit Reserve. Why? One reason is that I love Cabernet Sauvignon.
I’m also an incredible fan of Sonoma County.
Most important, though, was that it cost $7.99!!! There was not a lot of downside. At all. It is rare to find a wine from Sonoma for that price anywhere!
I am not suggesting that everyone run out and look for wines this inexpensive. Sometimes cheap is cheap. Many wines at that price point are a waste of money. Then, there is great value! Which is what this wine is.
What I absolutely love about Trader Joe’s wines is that the odds of getting a winner at that price is really high! They almost always over deliver! Go for it.
Let’s talk about this Cabernet Sauvignon!
The wine is a Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County. When the bottle says Sonoma County, it can be from anywhere in this really large area. It also has to have 75% Cabernet Sauvignon. Those are the rules in the United States. In a minute we will discuss when they don’t have 75%
Most wines such as this should be enjoyed earlier than 2023, but this one really still shone bright. Quite frankly, if the wine was too old I would not be giving a shout out to the person who recommended it. AT ALL! Again, if you can find a reliable person, listen to their advice. Especially when you aren’t breaking the bank.
I love a wine that is fruit forward. As in, you can smell and taste fruit. At 15% ABV (Alcohol by Volume), it does pack a punch. Not a wimpy wine at all. Not so overwhelming that it needs steak, though. Some Cabernets need fat or similar to offset tannins in the wine. That is not the case here. Even better, there is a really delicious finish to this wine. The flavors linger. A really good thing in my book.
If some of these terms need clarification, check out my post here. Having a useful wine vocabulary is helpful.
On to the other Northern California Red.
A fantastic red wine blend from North Coast California.
This 2019 Tribunal Red Wine from North Coast is listed as Red Wine. Not exactly descriptive. Had it not been recommended I may have passed it by. The North Coast designation is really large. It includes 6 grape growing counties. Sonoma and Napa are 2 of them. If you see it on a wine label you will know it comes from Northern California, but not much more.
When a wine just says Red Wine it is a red blend. If a wine maker could brag about the grapes or where they are from, he or she totally would. You could charge more that way. Almost always, the smaller the area designation the higher the price. Basic supply and demand.
As I mentioned above, you need 75% of a grape variety to single it out and give it a starring role.
My understanding is that this wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Barbera, Grenache, and Petite Verdot. That is a lot! It is big and fruit forward and 15.1% ABV. Just like the first wine, it is not a wimpy wine at all. Price is only $9.99. It did not go over my Trader Joe’s $10 self imposed price limit. Woo!!
Again, not sure I would have chosen it had I not received a recommendation.
There are a lot of wines out there.
I know that it is often hard to get great recommendations about wine.
Want some more great recommendations? Sign up below!
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Just in case you didn’t read my other posts about how to get great advice, I have conveniently copied it here:
Here you go:
If you need or want to be your own salesperson, here is my really helpful advice:
Decide what you want to spend. Remember more expensive is not better or more to your taste. Do not let any salesperson pressure you into spending more. Don’t pressure yourself, either.
Decide what you are looking for. Is this for an occasion, or just for fun drinking? Although, it should always be fun and delicious. I always buy 2 of each wine if I am “stocking up.” That way I have enough to have a group drink the same wine.
Ask yourself questions. Start with basics. Really basic: Do I want red or white or rosé? Sparkling? Have I had this before and did I like it? Where will I be drinking it? Should it be a relaxed easy going wine? Is it for a dinner party where it may be important to buy a wine that “goes” with the food? Are you buying to “impress?” If you want a list of wines for your next get together, sign up below and I will send one to you.
Read the label. See what it tells you. If it is wine from the Old World (basically, Europe) it may not tell you what grape type it is. Some labels tell you a lot. There will not be a test. Have fun with it.
Check the alcohol content. The alcohol content can actually tell you quite a bit. High alcohol wines are not appropriate for all occasions. These are not wimpy wines. The alcohol can catch up to you. Be careful.
I’m going to add one more:
Do not rely on the arbitrary points and grading system awarded by experts. You have no idea if their taste is yours. The same goes for award winning wines. You have no idea who the competition was. For all you know, it was the equivalent of a participation trophy.
Hopefully, you do have either a Trader Joe’s wines near you, or you have someone who can offer great recommendations and advice.
Otherwise, use my advice and enjoy looking for your next fun wine.
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Both of these two Northern California from Trader Joe’s wines were fun and delicious!
It is never just the cost.
It is the value for the price!!
You cannot go wrong with either one of them.
