Trader Joe's Wine
Just wondering if anyone can share their favorite wines sold at Trader Joes. They have some bargains that pretty decent if you are just looking for a glass with dinner. Looking for some recs.
Ali G
Feb 20, 2005 10:24PM
They have an Amarone @ 12.00, qite the deal.
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Obvious answer: "Two-Buck Chuck" aka Charles Shaw. Reliable table wine for dirt cheap. They do most varietals, including the now verboten Merlot (damn you 'Sideways'!). News stories pop up now and again about blind taste/quality tests where Charles Shaw wins out over significantly higher-priced wines.
To keep this Boston-centered, they run $3/bottle here in Taxachusetts, and I believe the shipments arrive at area stores every Saturday. And, I don't think the Back Bay TJs carries it, but they don't carry much, so hey.
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back bay TJ's doesn't have a iquor license....
Link: http://www.bistrodraw.com
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I admit to happily drinking Chuck's sauvingion blanc, and really hating the merlot. I also like Red Truck very much and I've bought a bunch of the $7 prosecco. I've tried many others and don't remember any disappointments. TJ beer is also good at $5. Too bad for my local wine merchants.
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Rex goliath is also a good red.
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Seriously? It is not reliable; two-buck chuck is made from the leftovers of whatever come out that year. So, by definition, it can't be a reliable taste. Some years may be decent, some may be swill. I know that you can't really argue with a wine that's $3, but still...at least shell out like $7 for Red Truck, which is actually not bad.
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Trader Joe's wine are great! We have tried several of their Australian wines, and they are always very good. The Banrock Station for reds is a good reliable choice, and so is the yellowtail for their whites. Try their ports as well. It is flavoursome and at a fantastic price! When I'm not sure what to get, the guys at Trader Joe's are often very helpful and gave lots of helpful tips. I go to the Cambridge Trader Joe's at Memorial Drive.
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Winners I've picked up in Coolidge Corner (West Newton has no liquor license):
Dao vinho verde, <$10
Francis Coppola table wine, ~$15
Some good malbecs
I think the lesson is that if you compound the cheapness of wine from certain countries (South America, Portugal) with TJ prices you get a big bargain.
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At the Coolidge Corner and Cambridge TJ's--
Nobilo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($12?)
Ique Malbec
Coppola Black Label Claret ($15)
Abrazo Del Toro spanish varietal blend ($7, a real bargain)
Rabbit Ridge Zinfandel
Ravenswood Zinfandel
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Clay Station Viognier $12
Ravenswood Zinfandel $10
Ferrano Sauvignon Blanc $6
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FerranDE Sauvignon Blanc
Link: http://www.bistrodraw.com
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or maybe Ferrari-Carrano? :)
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Naw, it's just my favorite of their cheap whites, so the label is engraved on my retinas...;)
I also like the Pearly Bay Sauv.Blanc, for $3.99 on cheap days, and for splurges, the King Shag SB out of New Zealand is a real bargain at $7.99
Link: http://www.bistrodraw.com
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Is the ravenswood the vinter's blend?
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Clay Station Viognier $12
Ravenswood Zinfandel $10
Ferrano Sauvignon Blanc $6
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I overheard a gentleman trying to help another couple, recommending Nero d'Avola (Ruggiero di Tasso) an Italian red. I bought a bottle after trusting the recommendation of a stranger. He told me I wouldn't be disappointed. HE WAS RIGHT. The wine is fabulous and at $5 you feel like it shouldn't be. Gave this away at Christmas to many happy friends (feeling very cheap in the process!).
Another recommendation is the Giesen Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Very delicious and $8 less than my local wine shop favorite.
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i definitely have to second 4chowpups here. i've been drinking the nero d'avola (sicilian red) for the past year and love it for its smooth fruity flavor and 5 dollar price point.
from the back label: 100% nero d'avola grapes, produced in southwestern sicily, "lot's of berry character with soft tannis and a lightly jammy finish. pair with red sauced dishes and grilled meats."
a TJ worker helped me pick out this wine; it was labeled a TJ staffs' favorite. workers there have always led me in the right direction and seem to know what's up with the wines. don't be afraid to ask for recommendations.
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I am a huge fan of the Giesen SB, but have never seen it at TJ's. In the bay area I can get it at Bev&More, or Cost Plus for around ten bucks, which TJ's have it? Thanks.
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Thanks. I love the 2 buck Chuck, but I've been picking up some other bargains lately and wanted to see what others were buying. I've tried a couple Malbec's and some good reds from South America.
Any Chardonnay recs? My girlfriend likes white, I'm more of a red.
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If your girlfriend likes whites, don't get a chardonnay, pick up one of the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs (Giesen, Nobilo, Sacred Hill). She'll never drink chardonnay again.
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I second the Geisen - saw it at the TJ's on memorial Drive last week - a great, crisp sauv blanc!
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In regards to the Chardonnay response, I realize that it's not so cool to love it right now, but it certainly serves a time and place (and food). I love other whites, but in most cases still keep going back to a nice Chardonnay. Bad to make generalizations.
However, I haven't found any that I was crazy about at TJs.
But for reds, you can't go wrong with the EXP Syrah for $10!
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Forgive me if I misspell. I love the Pomodoro that they sell on the back wall at TJ's in Cambridge. The label on the bottle is very distinct...it's a man with a tomato for a body. It's $6.99 and wine to go with a red sauce.
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How is it that Trader Joe's can offer such inexpensive prices on wines? I just love going there, looking around, and trying new wines. They offer some wonderful bargains and I've gotten some very good bottles of wine that sure taste like they should be more expensive than they are!
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TJ can offer such prices because their bulk quantity is enormous. Every one of the bottles mentioned on here will make a medium sized vineyard rich just supplying them. And although I have no bones about the cheap and cheerful beverages they call wine here (i've drunk quite a few bottles myself); they are a different animal than the wine that is chirped about when you pay - say over $25 retail.
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villa borghetti valpolicella - just under $6.
i get it from the TJ's on memorial drive in cambridge. it has become our everyday red, but still good enough as a last minute offering for when we're unexpectantly invited to a friend's house for dinner.
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The benefits of one stop shopping are not lost on me. However, at the price range laid out in the thread above you could shop at almost any good wine shop and get a great bottle of interesting wine and get good wine service as well, from the buyer or manager or some one who has actually tasted the wine and knows a thing or two about pairing. I wouldn't trade service and education for 2-buck chuck.
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i'm quite surprised at all of the praise upthread for two-buck chuck. am i alone in finding it undrinkable?
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I'm with you. The cost of an empty bottle, a label, a cork, somebody to put it all together and then fill it with wine, somebody to drive it from California.......how much money is left in that wholesale total for wine? Not much. This is an agricultural product people, not a coke.
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i'm with you too. i've always thought of the 2 buck chuck (or 3 buck here in MA) as really bad. i've used the sauvignon blanc for cooking which was fine, but on it's own it's just not good. it would have been good when i was in college (considering i used to drink boon's at the same price) or if i had never tasted a good wine in my life. i'm sorry if i sound snobbish, but for me 2 buck chuck is on the same level as grocery store tomatoes in the middle of winter.
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Poeple who shun 2-buck chuck are not snobs. They know a good deal when they see one, and that is just not a good deal. Buying the cheapest thing available is not an example of value, its just cheap.
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2 buck chuck is JUNK. I bought one of each to try (figuring some varietals might be passable... but had to pour all of it down the drain. Really undrinkable. It always amazes me to see people buying up this stuff by the caseload. TJ's does have great prices on other drinkable wines that are quite reasonable. The VILLA BORGHETTI VALPOLICELLA is a soft, drinkable wine. They have quite a few inexpensive Pinot Grigio's for btw $6-$8. For 11.99, I like the Edna Valley Chardonnay. No reason to waste $3 (in MA) when you can get many drinkable wines for a few bucks more.
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the villa borghetti valpolicella has been my everyday red since i discovered it almost a year ago. and at just under $6 it's a great value...
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Definitely Not! I had to spit it out after being forced to try it.
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No, you really, really aren't the only one...I will literally never understand the appeal.
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Let me just say that NO ONE I know personally -- with the singular exceptions of a) my father-in-law*, and b) Fred Franzia (and let's face it, what would you expect him to say?) -- likes, enjoys, purchases and/or consumes Chrles Shaw, aka 2BC.
Cheers,
Jason
* And even he has lost his interest in it.
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2BC is miles ahead of the ghastly pruney crap that was most low-end California wine not so very long ago, and which is still available at supermarkets all over California. I like the sauvignon blanc, because it's the sort of clean-but-soft white I want on a hot evening, and the cab is OK with supper. Would not touch the merlot with a bargepole, and the shiraz is just too...much.
Here in SoCal, my TJ faves at the under-$6 level are the aforementioned Nero d'Avola, a suave French blend called l'Authentique, TJ's own French-sourced cab and the d'Aquino reds, all of them. The La Ferme Julien red, white and rosé are very pleasant, and lately they've had a Frascati whose label I don't remember, but it's in a frosted bottle and runs $5.99 and it's OK if not the best I've had.
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TJ is great source for everyday drinking wines and especially stocking up for a party. That said, I don't usually wind up being very excited by these wines, but definitely happy with extremely low cost yet drinkable-without-cringing. The VdP de Vaucluse Merlot-Carignan is nice.
The exception to this rule (meaning I am quite excited by this wine) is the Espiral Vinho Verde--a delicious, classic VV, fizzy, dry, refreshing, perfect for summer, and only $3.99 in NYC.
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Agree completely.. Love the Vinho Verde at $3.99, but my TJ here in the Chicago area runs out of it often. I think you either love or hate this wine tho, my husband and many of my friends don't like it at all---o.k by me , since it just means it's all mine!
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I like the Vinho Verde a lot too - and it does seem like the Chicago TJs run out of it all the time!
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two buck chuck Always has given me a headache and often a migraine. I was questioned as to whehter it was in my head-yes odd choice of words, but it has happened at parties where did not see it poured. now i always make sure I know what I am drinking and if chuck is the only think on menu, go without. If it works for you personally I say fine, but you should not serve it to friends that are sensetive to headaches. I do not care for TJ Califorina or Autralians or "market labal" wines (these are too inconsistant). the Italians esp the Pinot Grigios and French esp Bordeaux (sp) are usually good. You may also like the Belgian Frambiose is they have it. It is actually a beer, but amazing. TJ's price if very good on them, esp if you get the large bottle.
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Argh I wish TJ in NY had beer. But at least we do have that wine store in Manhattan...the other NY stores are all food only! I don't understand why, other supermarkets in NY can sell beer...I should write to them.
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The TJ in Manhattan sells beer. Its in the back left of the store.
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Just wanted to say thanks to the folks who resurrected this thread. I picked up a few of the wines reccomended here - the Vinho Verde and the Villa Borghetti - and liked them a lot. The gentleman working at the store also recommended a 2004 Dr. Beckermann Reisling which was very good for just $4.50.
I hope folks will keep posting on this thread!
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TJ's is great for wines on the cheap-er
but you should also check out Costco, espec. around the holidays for great deals as well.
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I've found some great buys at Trader Joe's over the years, but as a general rule, I've found that the cheap stuff's not good, and the good stuff's not cheap.
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Try Trader Joe's privated label Costal Cab...Not bad 4 bucks a bottle....John O
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One of my favorites buys is Trader Joe's own brand of sake, a junmai ginjo, for only $10. For a sake of that quality, $10 is very cheap. And it is a smooth, easy drinking sake. An excellent value.
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I like the Rosemount Cab/Shiraz blend for $5.
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I enjoy the La Boca Malbec. I think it sells for about $4, and it is actually decent.
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kenito:
I saw beer today in the grocery part of 14th St TJs -- far back left corner, next to the tasting stand
I'd love to see this thread keep getting updated!
I can't stand TwoBuck, or their house label Pinot Noir.
But was very happy with that fizzy vinho verde this summer, AND I just came home with the Nero D'Avola. whoppee. I really like that grape...can't wait to open the bottle and see if this is anywhere near my regular favorite Nero D'Avola that Astor in NYC has run out of...
If the l'Authentique referenced above is the Corbiere's blend with the owl on it ($14 in NYC) it's nice enough. I think that's Cuvee Mythique, come to think of it
On the Ravenswood Zin - the vintage makes a huge difference. I think it was the 2002 that was a great staple -- then the 2003 tasted like cloves to me. phooey.
That could be 2003 - 2004, I forgot to write it down after I scoured our local places for the year I liked!
The Ravenswood Lodi in the store right now is no great shakes either.
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thanks for the update! Anything good?
I just drank 04 Alamos Malbec purchased at TJ and it was a nice wine with grilled meat.
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you're welcome
good in the beer?
Ommeghang (bet I'm not quite spelling that right...)
Brooklyn Brewery (weisse was 8.99/6pak)
good stuff, but not so hard to find elsewhere either
we tried a couple of their TJ brand beers - just okay
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Coastal is a good cheap wine from TJ's.
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Considering their Barbaresco & Bourgogne Blanc are at least $35 less per bottle than I can buy either elsewhere, they're quite nice. Sorry - threw out bottles - can't remember vintners.
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Hi Ali G.
I know that wine preferences are a matter of taste but I am not wild about the "two buck Chuck" wines..none of them. I decided to start by buying the cheapest red wine on their shelves that I could find and work my way up from there. (in my area it retails for $3.49 and it has miraculously become my favorite. I tested it on my friends and they thought that it was at least a $10-$15 bottle of wine! It is called IL VALORE Sangiovese 2005 from Italy. The bottle label has a "burnt tomato" color with a nondescript abstract 1 1/2 inch square picture on the front center. It is wonderful with italian food and actually not a bad sipper on its own either. I hope that this helps! If nothing else, you will only waste a few bucks experimenting. What more can you ask for?!
Karen Layer
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Check the verse on this page ... it's whole mission is TJ's wine deals:
http://www.vinquire.com/wines/search/...
That search is for 10 bucks or less .. if you're a high roller you can change that.
r
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I know this thread is dead but it is my favorite topic...That said, here are my Top 10 for February:
1. 2005 Epicuro Aglianico - $5
2. 2006 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere - $7
3. 2005 Rocking Horse Napa Valley Zinfandel - $8
4. 2006 Geyser Peak California Sauvignon Blanc - $8
5. 2003 Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot - $6
6. 2005 Kono Sauvignon Blanc - $8
7. 2004 Chasing Clouds Central Ranges Shiraz - $3
8. 2006 Aquila d’Oro Toscana - $4
9. 2006 Castle Rock Monterrey County Pinot Noir - $10
10. 2005 Archero Nero d’ Avola Ruggero di Tasso - $4
Let me know what you think.
Hope you enjoy!
Jason
www.jasonswineblog.com
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In the South America section, get a Malbec. Especially the Paniloco. Also Black Mountain makes a mean Malbec. Both of these are only 5 or 6 bucks and are just a party in your mouth.
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CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE SHELF LIFE FOR MEDIUM TO LOW PRICED CARMENERE WOULD BE?
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