Trader Joe’s: The best wines available at the US grocery chain
A look at the best wines from Trader Joe's – we review some great value picks from the iconic US specialty grocer.
Founded by Joe Coulombe in 1967 in Pasadena, California, Trader Joe’s is a specialty grocery store chain with an almost cult-like following. Its 500-plus retail locations have a fraction of the footprint of a traditional grocery store, while the focus is on a tight assortment of both nationwide branded products and Trader Joe’s proprietary products developed by their internal product teams.
The store boasts a nautical theme from the team members’ Hawaiian shirt uniforms to a ship’s bell at the customer service desk, and fish netting decor throughout the store. Alcoholic beverages have always been a key part of the assortment, specifically with the wildly popular and now legendary Charles Shaw wine aka ‘Two Buck Chuck’ that retailed for $1.99. Trader Joe’s now boasts a $3.99 version made from organic grapes.
Annually, 40 million bottles of wine are sold at Trader Joe’s and its private label wines include the various levels of the Reserve range. Says Chris Condit, category leader of wine: ‘The entry point is the Petit Reserve. It’s a small price, under $10, for what we think are wonderful wines. We find a beautiful Chardonnay out of Lodi or a great Zinfandel out of Sonoma Valley.
‘Reserve tier is our $9.99 retail price point. And those tend to be pretty serious wines from pretty serious places. The grand reserve is our $12.99 price point. The Platinum Reserve retails for $14.99. The highest level is the Diamond Reserve that’s $19.99, but those wines might be $60, $70, or $80 on someone else’s label.’
Many wines on the Trader Joe’s shelves are fruit-forward, meant to drink now, and are not suitable for ageing. In fact, Tara Miller, vice president of marketing, says that the stacks of wine in the centre of the wine section ‘are the wines that sell at the highest rate; at the fastest rate’. These are purchase today, drink today wines, for the ‘convenience-focused’ shopper.
Top picks from Trader Joe’s
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Trader Joe's, Platinum Reserve Brut Rosé NV, Sonoma County, California, USA
90
Aromas of pink grapefruit, stone fruit, and white flowers permeate the nose. This méthode champenoise sparkling delivers phenolics and a rich, textured mouthfeel. On the palate, wild strawberries and raspberries plus bracing acidity harmonise to over-deliver on a traditional method sparkler at a value price point.
Trader Joe'sSonoma County
Trader Joe's, Brut Rosé NV, Vin de France, IGP Méditerranée, France
88
Light and bright vin Mousseux-style French sparkler. Faint aromas of lemon and cranberries in this medium salmon rosé. The palate is bright and fresh with notes of citrus, including blood orange, cranberries, and raspberries. A not-so-serious apéritif-style sparkler that is delightful both on its own or with a light bite.
Trader Joe'sVin de France
Trader Joe's, Coastal Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast, California, USA, 2022
89
An example of a straightforward, enjoyable, and balanced Sauvignon Blanc that outperforms anything at this wildly low price point. Citrus fruit; lemon, and lime with tropical fruits; pineapple and mango are confirmed both on the nose and the palate. Medium plus acidity and a persistent finish would complement a summer salad with seared scallops or goat cheese.
2022
Trader Joe'sCentral Coast
Cecilia Beretta, Amarone della Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy, 2018
90
Unmistakable Amarone della Valpolicella nose of ripe, sometimes cooked, red fruits, including currants and cherries, plus a hefty dose of baking spices. The palate of this passito-style dry wine is just as rich with notes of blackberry coulis and other stewed fruits. Vanilla and spice rack notes reappear on the palate, plus high alcohol heat is common in the style.
2018
Cecilia BerettaAmarone della Valpolicella
Trader Joe's, Diamond Reserve Pauillac, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France, 2019
90
The highest level of their proprietary wines, this Diamond Reserve Pauillac, aims to demonstrate quality on Trader Joe’s wine shelves. A wine with earthiness plus notes of cassis and blackberries on the nose. A firm tannic backbone, flavour intensity, and acidity signal Pauillac in the glass. Black fruit dominant along with cedar and oak notes on the palate harmonises to showcase the power and structure of this Left Bank red.
2019
Trader Joe'sPauillac
Trader Joe's, GSM Lot #240, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, California, USA, 2020
88
Red Rhône varieties thrive in the Paso Robles region, specifically the Willow Creek District, the coolest sub-AVA in Paso Robles, where the grapes for this wine grew. Primary, berry-driven notes on the nose lead to spice and oak notes in this rich and palate-filling Paso red.
2020
Trader Joe'sPaso Robles
Trader Joe's, Petit Reserve Pinot Noir, Monterey County, California, USA, 2021
88
Bright, crunchy red fruits, cherries, and cranberries on the nose, plus a hint of spice, indicate classic California Pinot Noir markers. The nose is confirmed on the palate with a stronger lean towards spice, cinnamon, and red hot candies. A touch of mushroom and earthy notes on the back palate ask to be paired with a weeknight mushroom-based pasta.
2021
Trader Joe'sMonterey County
Trader Joe's, Reserve Syrah Lot #237, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA, 2021
88
A structured Syrah from the Wahluke Slope, one of the warmest regions in the state. Dark fruits like cherries and plums, with savoury, meaty notes with aromatic intensity. Structurally, the palate gives brawny, chalky tannins and strong flavour intensity, with the notes on the nose confirmed on the palate. This wine would get a boost when enjoyed with a meal—perhaps a braised lamb shank.
2021
Trader Joe'sColumbia Valley
Ruggero di Bardo, Susumaniello, Puglia Rosso, Puglia, Italy, 2021
87
An ancient grape indigenous to Puglia, Susumaniello, is generally a regional blending component. The wine is inky purple in the glass, with sour cherry and cinnamon aromas on the nose. Ripe, juicy, confected fruit on the palate, plus hints of leather and earth, signal a southern Italian red in the glass.
2021
Ruggero di BardoPuglia Rosso
Trader Joe's, Zinfandel, Central Coast, California, USA, 2021
87
The heritage grape of California at an unheard-of price. Notes of ripe cherries and raisined fruits, plus cinnamon sticks and nutmeg, are classic California Zinfandel markers. A luscious and unabashedly jammy red for the tannin averse.
2021
Trader Joe'sCentral Coast
