Our Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Wines from Trader Joe’s – Updated!

Front of a Trader Joe's store.

  Going shopping for wine at your local Trader Joe’s?  Well take along this list of the 13 most recent posts that included wines from TJ’s. In this “case” think of it as your lucky 13! All prices shown are based on those in California.  Click on any of the links below for tasting notes … Read moreOur Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Wines from Trader Joe’s – Updated!

Our Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Costco Wines – Updated!

Photo of front of a Costco store

  Going shopping for wine at your local Costco?  Well take along this list of the 13 most recent posts that included wines from Costco. In this “case” think of it as your lucky 13! Click on any of the links below for item numbers, tasting notes – and more…   2021 Valle de Inez … Read moreOur Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Costco Wines – Updated!

Think You Don’t Like Pinot Grigio? Think Again!

Costco store display of 2022 Italo Cescon, Pinot Grigio.

Fast Facts: 2022 Italo Cescon, Pinot Grigio, Veneto, Italy ($12.99 @Costco in California – Item #717775)   Since 1957, Italo Cescon has been producing wines in the beautiful region of Veneto, Italy. Today, the family continues to cultivate in the same region to bring that same joy and great taste to the table. The Cescon … Read moreThink You Don’t Like Pinot Grigio? Think Again!

Kirkland Signature RRV Chardonnay – Bingo!

Display of bottles of Kirkland Signature 2019 Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) Chardonnay at Costco

Fast Facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay,  Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($12.99 @Costco in California – Item #789895)   In her encyclopedic The Oxford Companion to Wine, author Jancis Robinson refers to Sonoma’s Russian River Valley as a “high quality California wine region and AVA west of Healdsburg along that portion of river that meanders through … Read moreKirkland Signature RRV Chardonnay – Bingo!

Costco’s Substitute Sancerre is a Nice Surprise

Bottle and glass of 2022 Lucien  Raimbault Pineau Exception, Sancerre - as good as it looks!

Fast Facts: 2022 Lucien  Raimbault Pineau Exception, Sancerre, France ($16.99 @Costco in California – Item #1749206)   I’m feeling a bit like the forlorn Jack in a Box on the Island of Misfit Toys as it wails: “we might as well go to bed” when it believes that Santa isn’t coming for them. But then … Read moreCostco’s Substitute Sancerre is a Nice Surprise

Pet Nat Wines are Having a Moment – Wait, What?

2022 Amuse Bouche, Pétillant Naturel, Sparkling White Wine, France ($11.99@ Trader Joe's, California) pictured with Trader Joe's Sea Salted Saddle Potato Crisps ($1.99). Yummy pairing!

Fast facts: 2022 Amuse Bouche, Pétillant Naturel, Sparkling White Wine, France ($11.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) Sometimes it seems like there is very little new in the wine market. Then something like this comes along.  But it’s actually not very new, after all. Read on… Let’s assume you have never even heard of a Pét-nat … Read morePet Nat Wines are Having a Moment – Wait, What?

French Lessons from Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe's store display of the 2021  Vignobles Lacheteau Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, Loire Valley, France

Fast facts: 2021  Vignobles Lacheteau Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, Loire Valley, France ($7.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   European wine producers have a long standing tradition of using labels that are, in a word, confusing.  At least to the average wine consumer.  This is such a label. But we are here with some “French Lessons” to help … Read moreFrench Lessons from Trader Joe’s

$15 Chablis?! Thank Trader Joe’s

2021 Sainte Celine Chablis, Burgundy, France ($15.99 @Trader Joe's, California)

Fast facts: 2021 Sainte Celine Chablis, Burgundy, France ($15.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)     Many American wine drinkers first became familar with the name Chablis back when California winemakers were running amok bottling cheap jug wines with the Chablis name on the label. Which is unfortunate. Because it confused generations in the process. Maybe that … Read more$15 Chablis?! Thank Trader Joe’s

French Fizz is Back at TJs!

Bottles of 2021 J.L. Quinson Le Rosé French Fizz and 2021 J.L. Quinson Le Blanc French Fizz

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!

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!