25 Best Wines You Can Buy at Trader Joe's
The high quality and value of Trader Joe's products have made die-hard fans of innumerable shoppers. However, it's not just their cookie butter and frozen appetizers that keeps customers coming back for more. When it comes to budget-friendly wines, TJ's has become a staple for amateur sommeliers—it's even spawned dozens of wine review blogs devoted to getting the most out of your Trader Joe's run. So, if you're ready to think beyond the two-buck chuck, raise your glass to these tasty wines available at your local Trader Joe's.
Sparkling Wines & Champagne
Charles de Marques Champagne
Price: $20
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 95 calories, 12% ABV
There are some events in life that simply demand Champagne, but that shouldn't mean you have to break the bank to get it. This delightful sparkler is available at the fraction of the price of other French bottles.
Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc
Price: $30
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 91 calories, 12% ABV
Even though the name Blanc de Blanc isn't as well-known, the famous French style is simply sparkling Chardonnay—which is created with one of the main grapes used for producing traditional Champagne. Schramsberg's take is a well-priced way to get to know this sparkling alternative.
Trader Joe's Reserve North Coast Brut Rosé
Price: $10
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 95 calories, 12% ABV
Rosé is great. Sparkling wine is as well. So who in their right mind wouldn't want a combination of the two? This wine is fun, approachable, and bubbly, but still balanced and complex.
L'Eclat Blanc de Blancs
Price: $12
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 91 calories, 12% ABV
Big celebrations call for bigger bottles. This delicious sparkling Chardonnay comes in 1.5-liter format (AKA a magnum, or two bottles) for just $12!
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava
Price: $11
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 100 calories, 11.5% ABV
Cava is Spain's answer to easy-drinking sparkling white wine, and can be a great similarly-priced alternative to prosecco. This bottle is a well-balanced take that makes for a great party sparkler.
Full-Bodied Red Wines
Tribunal Red Wine North Coast
Price: $10
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 125 calories, 15.1% ABV
Having trouble making up your mind? This silky red is a blend of seven grape varieties that creates an incredibly well-rounded flavor profile with a soft finish that's perfect for serving with roasted meats or rich pastas.
Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella
Price: $20
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 121 calories, 15% ABV
Amarone della Valpolicella is a beloved style of Italian wine that usually retails $40 and up, so the fact that this bottle comes in at half that is already surprising. The fact that it's absolutely delicious, though, should be what really sells you.
Phigment Red Blend
Price: $6
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 120 calories, 14% ABV
There's no shortage of full-bodied red blends on the shelves of wine stores, but there aren't that many that are as well-balanced and easy-drinking as Phigment. There are even fewer that cost just $6!
Clos La Gaffeliere Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Price: $25
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 120 calories, 13.5% AB
Usually, when someone buys a bottle of Saint Emilion Grand Cru, they've spent upwards of $50 on it. This fantastically well-balanced, full-bodied red costs just half that, making it the perfect bottle for a housewarming gift or anniversary splurge.
Familia Nueva Vineyards Liberté Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $10
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 125 calories, 13.9% ABV
Extravagant, full-bodied Cabernets should only taste expensive. This luscious red is the perfect accompaniment to rich foods like grilled meats—and it'll set you back just $10.
Le Fiarre du Pape Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Price: $20
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 121 calories, 14% ABV
Looking for an impressive bottle to gift your boss or in-laws this holiday season? Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an approachable-yet-complex style that's at home amongst some of the best wines in the world. The only difference here is that it costs half as much as most of those top-shelf bottles.
Barreri & Rovati Barbaresco Riserva
Price: $20
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 120 calories, 14% ABV
Are Barolos too intense for your tastes? Barbarescos are made from the same nebbiolo grapes in the same region, but are often much softer and more delicate, making them a perfect special occasion wine. And at a cool $20, your average weekday dinner is a special enough occasion to open up a bottle of this beautiful Barbaresco.
Light-to-Medium Bodied Red Wines
Moon X Black Pinot Noir
Price: $7
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 122 calories, 13.5% ABV
If you're looking for a warmer, spicier Pinot Noir with more vanilla-oak flavors, this medium-bodied red is for you. It's also a good option for anyone looking to transition from lighter wines into richer reds for fall and winter.
Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais
Price: $7
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 125 calories, 12.5% ABV
If you're looking for bright, light-bodied, fruit-forward wine, look no further than Beaujolais. This easy-drinking style is a great pre-dinner sipper, especially when you pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes before serving it.
La Paca Sonriente Garnacha
Price: $7
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 125 calories, 14.5% ABV
Looking for a wine that's easy to drink on its own? Look no further than this medium-bodied Garnacha, which has a bright, thirst-quenching acidity.
Cotillion Pinot Noir
Price: $10
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 120 calories, 13.8% ABV
Just because Pinot Noirs are lighter in body doesn't mean they're lacking in character. This refreshing red is fruity, spicy, and velvety smooth from start to finish.
Grifone Sangiovese
Price: $5
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 129 calories, 12.5% ABV
Two things make for great party wines: A balanced flavor profile and the right price. Luckily, this easy-drinking Sangiovese just so happens to tick both boxes.
White Wines
Raeburn Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Price: $17
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 123 calories, 14% ABV
Full-bodied oaky whites, like this Chardonnay, are one of life's great pleasures. What's even better? The fact that this one is produced by a Certified California Sustainable Winery.
Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc
Price: $10
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 117 calories, 12.3% ABV
Bright and breezy days practically beg for bright and breezy Sauvignon Blancs. This popular white wine from New Zealand is perfect for packing for a day on the beach or sipping by the pool.
Trader Joe's Petit Reserve Chenin Blanc Viognier
Price: $8
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 120 calories, 12% ABV
Just because you like your white wines slightly sweet doesn't mean you have to opt for poorly made vino. This blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier is deliciously refreshing with a hint of ripe fruit and a medium-full body.
Kunde Sonoma Chardonnay
Price: $13
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 115 calories, 13.8% ABV
There's no need to overthink it: When you're in the mood for a creamy, full-bodied, and oaky white, there's nothing quite like Sonoma Chardonnay. This is just the wine to reach for when that mood strikes—and at $13, it's about as wallet-friendly a bottle as they come.
Floriana Grüner Veltliner
Price: $6
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 105 calories, 12% ABV
If you're looking for a change from your favorite Riesling, give this Hungarian Grüner Veltliner a try. Even though it's perfect for fall or winter drinking, it's still full of bright fruit and citrus flavors. It also makes for a great pairing with practically any spicy food—it even goes well with Thanksgiving turkey!
Rosé
Bodega Piedra Negra Rosado
Price: $10
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 121 calories, 13% ABV
Easy drinking? Check. Bright fruit flavors? Check. Crisp, refreshing finish? Check. If you're in the mood to drink pink, this rosé has it all!
Vignobles & Compagnie Reserve des Chastelles Tavel Rosé
Price: $9
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 125 calories, 13.5% ABV
For some people, "pink wine season" runs all year long. This refreshing rosé is the perfect addition to your rotation, bringing slightly more complexity to your glass without sacrificing crispness.
La Ferme Julien Rosé
Price: $6
Nutrition per 5 fl. oz: 120 calories, 13% ABV
Need a no-frills rosé for a get-together? This fruit-forward wine has flavors of ripe fruit with a crisp finish that makes for a real crowd-pleaser.
