There’s Something New and Exciting in the Spanish Wine Section at Trader Joe’s

Front label of the 2015 Trader Joe's Gran Reserva Rioja Lot #120. It's rarity for two reasons. The price and its red label.

Fast Facts: 2015 Trader Joe’s Gran Reserva Rioja Lot #120,  Rioja, Spain ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s in California) A few months back, our Wine of the Week (hereinafter, WoW!) was a Crianza Rioja, also from Trader Joe’s. You have no doubt memorized that review, in case of a pop quiz.  But in case your memory is … Read moreThere’s Something New and Exciting in the Spanish Wine Section at Trader Joe’s

Never Heard of Monastrell? Maybe You Have.

Costco store display of the 2020 Goru Verde Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain - 90 Points for just $7.99

Fast Facts: 2020 Ego Bodegas Goru Verde Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain ($7.99 @Costco in California – Item #1258623)   Let’s start with the basics.  Monastrell is a grape variety.  It’s a deeply bold, smoky red wine found in abundance in Central Spain and Southern France (where it’s known as Mourvèdre) and where it is the “M” … Read moreNever Heard of Monastrell? Maybe You Have.

A Delicious Summer Weight Spanish Red Wine – Just $9.99 at TJs

Front label of 2019  Vallobera Crianza, Rioja, Spain ($9.99 @Trader Joe's in California)

Fast Facts: 2019  Vallobera Crianza, Rioja, Spain ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   Rioja is one Spain’s most famous wine regions and is one of only two regions classified under the Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) system. Its two most important red grapes are Tempranillo and Garnacha.  This particular wine is 100% Tempranillo, one of … Read moreA Delicious Summer Weight Spanish Red Wine – Just $9.99 at TJs

Trader Joe’s is Your Puerta to High QPR

Front label of 2015 Puerta de Plata red blend wine from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2015 Puerta de Plata, Catalunya, Spain ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   If memory serves, this was one of the first wines we reviewed on this blog.  I recall hyperventilating when I first tasted it, especially given its $7.99 price point and uber classy packaging.  It’s a bit of a Trader Joe’s staple, so … Read moreTrader Joe’s is Your Puerta to High QPR

A “Cheap and Cheery” White Wine from Traders Joe’s – Bring on Spring!

Store display of the 2021 La Granja 360 Verdejo Viura at Trader Joe's

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!

Costco KS Sangria – An Inflation-Fighting Super Hero!

Photo of bottle of Kirkland Signature Sangria, a can of San Pellegrino Blood Orange Soda and a glass with the two combined.

  Fast facts: Kirkland Signature Classic Red Sangria, Vino de España, Spain (Product #1025679) $6.99 @ Costco, California     This bonus sized bottle of Kirkland Signature Spanish Sangria (still just $6.99 for a double bottle!) is everything you need to chill with this summer. Well, almost everything… I’m a big fan of Sangria when … Read moreCostco KS Sangria – An Inflation-Fighting Super Hero!

93 Points for $11.99 Makes it a Good Time Get to Know Monastrell

Glass and bottle of Juan Gil 2018 Monastrell from Costco

Fast facts: 2018 Juan Gil Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain ($11.99 @ Costco, California – Item #967359)   There is a lot to like about this wine. For starters, it is made of 100% Certified Organic Monastrell (Mourvèdre) grapes. Then there is the 93 point rating bestowed by none other than Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. All this … Read more93 Points for $11.99 Makes it a Good Time Get to Know Monastrell

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

An Incredible $8.99 Red Wine Value from Costco – 93 Points!

Glass and bottle of Campo Arriba 2014 red wine from Costco

Fast Facts: 2014 Campo Arriba, Yecla, Spain ($8.99 @Costco in California – Item #1104416)   One of our unofficial slogans here is: “we taste a lot of inferior wines so our readers don’t have to.”   A few words about frogs, and princes… Because we are especially excited when we find great values under $10, we … Read moreAn Incredible $8.99 Red Wine Value from Costco – 93 Points!

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