A Summer Weight Spanish Garnacha from Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe's shelf display of Las Margas 2018 Garnacha

Fast facts: 2018 Las Margas Garnacha, Cariñena, Spain ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   Garnacha is the Spanish (and therefore original) name for the grape known in France and elsewhere (like California) as Grenache. There was a time when it was the dominant grape in Spain. Now, despite ripping up almost half of its Garnacha vineyards, … Read moreA Summer Weight Spanish Garnacha from Trader Joe’s

Two Stunning Syrah/Shiraz from Trader Joe’s

Bottles and glasses of Trader Joe's Reserve 2018 Syrah from Paso Robles, California and 2018 Shiraz from Barossa, Australia - both $9.99 at TJ's

Fast facts: 2018 Trader Joe’s Reserve Shiraz, Lot 214, Barossa, Australia ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2018 Trader Joe’s Reserve Syrah, , Lot 209, Paso Robles, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   A Little Preamble: The Syrah grape is responsible for some of the most sought after bottlings in the world. In the Rhone Valley of … Read moreTwo Stunning Syrah/Shiraz from Trader Joe’s

Our First 3Peat – Our Most Popular Trader Joe’s Wine Ever

Front label of Maison Barboulot red wine from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2019 Maison Barboulot Cabernet-Syrah $5.49 (@Trader Joe’s; California)   Our featured wine from Trader Joe’s is a three-peat, updated to the 2019 vintage, and it’s every bit as good as we remember it’s predecessors to be. Seems like many of you liked this wine too – it has been our most popular review … Read moreOur First 3Peat – Our Most Popular Trader Joe’s Wine Ever

Picnic building blocks from Trader Joe’s include wines – in a can!

A can of Underwood sparkling rose, a can of Trader Joe's Sea Salted Saddle Potato Crisps and a can of Underwood Pinot Gris

Fast facts: NV Underwood Pinot Gris, Oregon ($4.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) NV Underwood Rosé Bubbles, Oregon ($5.49 @Trader Joe’s, California NV Sea Salted Saddle Potato Crisps ($1.49 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   I was first introduced to the idea that “form follows function” as a college student encountering the the work of the modern architects and Bauhaus. Simply … Read morePicnic building blocks from Trader Joe’s include wines – in a can!

A Delicious Pair for Your Next BBQ – Each Just $7.99 at Trader Joe’s

Bottles and glasses of Roustabout Meritage and Alamos Malbec from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2019 Alamos Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2019 Roustabout Meritage, Paso Robles, California ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   Daylight saving time – check! Spring arrives – check! Temperatures moderate – check! As North America thaws, our food and wine preferences change with the temperatures, which have crept well up into the 80s … Read moreA Delicious Pair for Your Next BBQ – Each Just $7.99 at Trader Joe’s

Wow. A Whole Lotta Vino Bang for $4.99 at Trader Joe’s

Bottles and glasses of Taymor Chardonnay (left) and Tenebres GSM - both from Trader Joe's, and both $4.99

Fast facts: 2019 Tenebres GSM, Languedoc, France ($4.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2019 Taymor Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($4.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) You long time readers of this blog (thank you!) know how much we love to find great wines that limbo in under the $10 price point. There are a surprising number … Read moreWow. A Whole Lotta Vino Bang for $4.99 at Trader Joe’s

TJ’s Mystery Meritage Wine is a Winner

Front label of 2019 Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Knights Valley Meritage Lot #100

Fast facts: 2019 Trader Joe’s Reserve Meritage Lot 100, Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   So often in our reviews we discuss whether a vintage is too old, and whether the wine may have passed.  This is especially true for white wines but applies to red wines as well.  In the … Read moreTJ’s Mystery Meritage Wine is a Winner

Your Holiday Mimosa Kit from Trader Joe’s – Everything you Need for Under $10

Front label of M. Chevallier Brut Cava from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: M. Chevallier Brut Cava, Spain ($5.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) Trader Joe’s Organic Cold Pressed Orange Juice ($1.99, California)   We’ll keep this short, since you’re undoubtedly busy even in the build up to this quieter and smaller Christmas holiday season.  But maybe you have discovered that being forced to shrink your holiday “footprint” brings … Read moreYour Holiday Mimosa Kit from Trader Joe’s – Everything you Need for Under $10

A NZ SB from TJs that Checks all the Boxes – at $5.99 no less!

Glass and bottle of the Nikau Point 2020 Sauvignon Blanc from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2020 Nikau Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($5.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   Tasting Notes: The wine pours a nice straw-yellow color. It is wonderfully crisp and balanced. The flavors set a tropical tone with notes of gooseberry and passion fruit, alongside citrus flavors of grapefruit. It is ready for almost any kind of seafood … Read moreA NZ SB from TJs that Checks all the Boxes – at $5.99 no less!

Trader Joe’s Makes Your TG Dessert Wine as Easy as, well, Pie!

Shelf display of Porto Morgado Tawny Port at Trader Joe's showing $10.99 price

Fast facts: Porto Morgado, 10 Years Old Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal ($10.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) We are publishing a early since this week Thirsty Thursday falls on the Thanksgiving holiday, and some of you may still find yourself at your local Trader Joe’s as part of your preparations for your celebration. If not, this would … Read moreTrader Joe’s Makes Your TG Dessert Wine as Easy as, well, Pie!