Fast Facts: 2019 Clos de los Siete Red Blend, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina ($16.99 @Trader Joe’s in California) Michel Rolland is arguably one of the 10 most influential individuals in the modern wine era. His style dominated the world for decades and continues to influence how the most costly wines are made. Namely, … Read moreLove at First Sniff – a 90+ Point TJs Red Wine Find for Under $20
Fast facts: 2021 J.L. Quinson Le Rosé French Fizz, France ($6.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) 2021 J.L. Quinson Le Blanc French Fizz, France ($6.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) These wines were really popular when we first reviewed them in May of last year. And they sold out pretty fast. Now they are back, earlier in … Read moreFrench Fizz is Back at TJs!
Fast facts: 2021 La Granja 360 Verdejo Viura $5.49 (@Trader Joe’s; California) Where does the time go? We last reviewed the 2016 vintage of this wine in 2018. Like everything else, the price has gone up quite a bit since them. Back then it was priced at a rather ridiculous (in retrospect) $3.49. But … Read moreA “Cheap and Cheery” White Wine from Traders Joe’s – Bring on Spring!
Fast facts: 2021 Trader Joe’s Reserve Lot #236 Syrah, Santa Barbara, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) Here in Southern California, enthusiastic wine drinkers know Santa Barbara County quite well as it is in our backyard. We are familiar with the fact that it is a richly diverse wine region capable of producing world class … Read moreA Good Place to Start Getting to Know the Wines of Santa Barbara
Fast facts: 2021 Domaine Bousquet Malbec, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Argentina ($8.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) There was a time when seeing the word “organic” was a warning sign. Not so long ago organic wines, were – in a word – funky. Not in a good way. All that has changed now, especially for this particular … Read moreGiving Organic Wine a Good Name
Fast facts: 2020 Les Sommets Liès Corbières, France ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) During a recent visit to my local Trader Joe’s, I overheard an employee enthusiastically recommending this wine. She was telling a customer that it was “everyone’s favorite” among store employees. Needless to say, my curiosity was piqued. So when she was free … Read moreBingo! Wine Stalking Pays Off at TJ’s
Fast facts: 2019 Levesque Estates Reserve Vidal Ice Wine, VQA Niagara On the Lake, Canada ($14.99@Trader Joe’s; California) You may be surprised to learn that Icewine (the anglicanization of the German Eiswein) is the most famous wine produced in Canada. Heck, for all I know, you might be surprised to hear that Canada produces … Read moreSome January Ice (Wine) for Your Enjoyment
NV Ernest Rapeneau Champagne Brut, Epernay, France ($9.99@Trader Joe’s, California) We celebrated the solstice yesterday by popping the cap on this bottle. We are in the home stretch of 2022 people, and this bottle (or bottles!) would be good to have in your fridge for several reasons. If you’re like us, there are holiday … Read moreTJ’s $9.99 Fun-Size Legit Champagne Will Have you “Drinking Stars” – or Maybe Just Seeing Them!
Fast facts: 2019 Pop Up Sparkling, 100% Chardonnay, Evergreen Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington ($4.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) This one was hard to pass by in a recent visit to Trader Joe’s. First there was the packaging. Striking, colorful and dare we say, adorable? From the crown cap on down? It reminded us of … Read moreFun Bubbles and $5!? Thanks, Trader Joe’s!
Fast facts: 2021 McGregor Winery, The Delicious Monster, South Africa ($5.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) Here is a fun fact that you might not know: in South Africa, the varietal Chenin Blanc is often called Steen. It is synonymous for Chenin Blanc. Impress your friends! I bring this up because the Delicious Monster is a … Read moreIs Trader Joe’s Delicious Monster All That?