Trader Joe's wine excursion

[katielp]

I'm thinking of borrowing a car tomorrow to make a trip to the Trader Joe's on Memorial Drive. Having moved apartments, we need to stock up on wine! I had been sceptical about TJ's wine in the past -- never liked the acrid Charles Shaw red, in particular. But last week we tried the Ferrande Sauvignon Blanc on an old recommendation from this board and it was great! Would anyone be able to recommend other everyday wines that you like ($5-10 range), both white and red? I'd particularly like to find a light, low tannin red, like a good Valpolicella.
Any other ideas for cheap wine vendors in the Cambridge/ central Boston area would also be really useful. Thanks.

[galleygirl]

Ahhh, the Ferrande Sauvignon Blanc must've been my rec; it's been the house white here for awhile (hic...)...When I have an extra $2 to spare ($7.99), I go for my favorite, King Shag Sauv Blanc; light, crisp, with that wonderful whisper of grapefruit rind that those Australian SB's have....

[trufflehound]

Definately try the Amarone at $12. Amarone can't be purchased M<$20 anywhere. For BBQ's my current fav at 3.99 is the vinho verde. Their wines are quite well priced compared to anywhere.

[tamerlanenj]

I love love love love LOVE Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc, Barefoot Cab, and particularly Barefoot Zinfandel, both around $5-$6 a bottle, and available at TJ and the Back Bay Shaws. Totally dependable, solid $5 everyday wine. I am not quite as big a fan of the other Barefoots, but they are all drinkable and cheap.

[Ally Cat]

We really like the "Nerello del Bastardo". Only $6.99 at Trader's. Its an Italian dry red wine.

We've brought it to several blind wine tastings and it has done really well.

[phoebek]

Based on a recommendation on the Wine board, I just tried Nero D'Avola - $4.99 at TJ's -- and would certainly echo the recommendation. I made my husband try it before I told him how much it cost, and he was quite impressed. We also liked Four Vines Zinfandel - I'm not 100% sure of its price, but I think it was $8 or $9.

[tamerlanenj]

What brand of Nero D'Avola? I drank a ton of it in Sicily, and it was usually al spina for like 3 euro a liter at restaurants. That was living!

[phoebek]

Ruggiero di Tasso, I think (the bottle went out with the recycling this morning. . . )

[Cheese Boy]

Very decent drinkable red wine. $5 per bottle. Ruggero di Tasso ...Nero D'Avola.
Look: http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp...

Tastes even better once opened (aerated) and chilled.

[garlic breath]

The Wine & Cheese Cask in Somerville (on Cambridge border, across the street from both
Dali and EVOO) is having its quarterly sale; I think it's 10% off 6 bottles, and 20% off a case.
As for everyday wines, my wife and I love the Grao Vasco, a very drinkable Portugese table wine that sells for $4.99 at the Cask.

[JudyHP]

I also think TJs has some great wine deals, if you know what you are getting. I would suggest that you also explore the wine departments of Marty's in Allston, and Blanchards (I like the JP Blanchards). They have very knowledgeable and approachable wine staff, and if you give them your price range and what you like you will be amazed at the selections they will have for you. Plus they have weekly wine tastings, and it is a good way to learn more about the wines and what you would like.

[DoubleMan]

I like the West Roxbury Blanchard's, but wouldn't bother with the Allston one---their staff caters to 22-year-olds buying 30-packs of Bud Light. Marty's is great if someone is in their wine department when you are there, which is not always the case. Brookline Liquor Mart and Martignetti's win awards, but I find their selection, prices, and service pretty horrid.

For great wine deals (with hit-or-miss service) I really like Mall Discount Liquors near Alewife. They have a large selection and often have great bottles on sale.

For passionate and friendly service I go to the Wine Bottega on Hanover in the North End. The selection is pretty small, but many of the bottles are hard to find, and the staff loves to show you what they have.

[MB fka MB]

DoubleMan, I am so with you on Mall Liquors. There are some GREAT deals to be had and I find that their champagne is always priced quite well, too.

[Chris VR]

I haven't been to the wine department at Blanchards in a few years but my experience there has been the opposite of yours- their wine guy has been extraordinarily helpful and informed. He always seemed thrilled to have a chance to talk about wine rather than kegs for a change.

[Nechushtan]

I love TJ's wine selection, my Mom discovered the TJ wine selection maybe 10 years ago (back in L.A. where I grew up). So many great "up and coming" wines for cheap. I live by the $5 rule, buy any wine under $5 to try, I've had a few mediocre wines, but some truly great ones, which I then stock up on before they raise the price!

[MaineRed]

I've had most of the rieslings -- and havent had a bad one yet...the Hogue wines are priced amazingly well