Your dinner party guests don't need to know how little you spent...
Take a moment to think about your happy place. What did you picture...a white sandy beach with turquoise waves kissing the shore? The safe and cozy arms of your S.O.? Well friends, if you asked me (and I’m quite aware no one’s asking), I would tell you that my happy place is Trader Joe’s Wine Shop. Full freakin' stop. Glossy Sticker Paper
For those who have somehow never stepped foot in this cultural institution, allow me to explain: Trader Joe's Wine Shop is a holy mecca for vino lovers. Sometimes a wing of a regular Trader Joe’s supermarket, and sometimes its own separate entity, this little slice of heaven is packed with bottles from across the globe just ready to be loaded into your cart and unloaded onto your bar cart. Some are Trader Joe’s private-branded, while others are from wine companies you may already know and love.
And while the variety of wines they offer is truly impeccable, typically organized by country and varietal, the best part about the store, in my humble opinion, is how unfreakinbelievably cheap it is. I’m talking so affordable I literally bring the backpack I bought to travel Europe and stuff it full of bottles every time I visit so I can take *full* advantage of every trip. (Mom, if you’re reading this, no I don’t.)
But wait, you say, how will I know which wine to buy if there’s such a big selection? A great question indeed. That’s where I come in. Because I am a giver, I decided to go ahead and test many of the bottles of wine you can buy at Trader Joe’s Wine Shop for $25 or less so I could find the best of the best. I also asked a variety of friends and colleagues for their favorites, because not everyone's taste buds are the same as mine! Cheers to self-awareness!
Below, you'll find the top picks from all this research. And you should definitely use it as a shopping list next time you're at your local TJ's. Are you ready for it? *Taylor Swift voice.*
I think this chic little number gets my pick for the most attractive bottle in the group, and the ~golden nectar~ inside is certainly up there in the rankings as well. A perfect table wine, this pinot grigio goes down smooth and pairs well with pretty much anything you might be serving. There are strong notes of green apple, as well as pear, citrus, and earthy minerals, so be sure to bust this one out for a summer day!
If you close your eyes and think really hard when you're sipping on a glass of this, you can almost see the Tuscan countryside opening up around you, I swear! Made from Sangiovese grapes—which are known for their notes of strawberry, cherry, and plum—grown in the Italian city of Chianti, this classic red gives off the same sorta vibe as your favorite cab...just with a little twist. It goes down smooth but has a dry aftertaste that'll leave you thirsty for more (okay, thirstier than normal).
Okay, so let me just start by saying you don't need to be on your honeymoon to drink this—but there's a good chance it'll taste even better if you are. I fell hard and fast for this classic viognier (a type of grape known for producing low-acidity, medium-bodied whites) at first sip, and it didn't last in my fridge for very long At. All. It is terrifyingly easy to drink, with notes of apricot, melon, and honey (surprise, surprise!) tickling your tastebuds. I highly recommend this for those who don't like their wines too dry, but also can't handle ones that are super-duper sweet. And at less than $6 a bottle, you should probably buy one as a gift for everyone you know.
Buy it at your local Trader Joe's Wine Shop.
This may be one of the most expensive picks on the list, but I assure you it's worth every penny. From the McBride Sisters, the largest Black-owned wine company in the U.S., this red blend combines the best parts of a few different grapes. Think: the pepperiness of a good cab, the chocolate flavor in a merlot, the dark fruits in a malbec, and more. It's rich and ripe and so damn smooth, and every glass feels like something special. I also love the message behind the name, and am proud to display it on my bar cart!
Did you know Washington has a wine region? Ya do now, and I'm also here to teach you that they make some damn good vino—specifically in the Columbia Valley region, where you'll find Chateau Ste Michelle. This pinot gris (which, yes, is the same thing as pinot grigio!) is my personal favorite from the winery. It's super fresh but also a little unique, with notes of pear, fig, and spice. Your mouth will be very, very happy!
I count my blessings every day that I wasn't around during the Prohibition era (although I do love a good speakeasy). Nevertheless, this yummy shiraz is something I can certainly get behind. One sip and you'll get why the bottle gives off such a dark and mysterious vibe—the wine inside has notes of dark cherries, plum, and chocolate, with a perfectly oaky finish. How moody! Curl up beside a fire to enjoy this bad boy, you won't regret it.
It's a well-known fact that the Finger Lakes region of New York produces some damn good rieslings, and this (dare I say sexy looking?) bottle from Hermann J Wiemer Vineyard is no exception to that rule. Described by the winemaker as their "signature" varietal (aka the best they've got), this aromatic wine packs a serious punch—and you'll smell it before you taste it. It's sweet meets citrus meets "Oh, is that peach?". And let me draw your eye to that gold-wrapped top and fancy little family crest on the bottle: a fabulous housewarming gift, if you ask me.
Dear readers, let me tell you, this bb holds its own when compared to other bottles on this list, despite costing about the same price as a coffee at Dunkin'. It may not have the most exciting packaging, but this merlot is pretty darn tasty. It's light and dry with a cherry-forward flavor and just the right amount of zing from some of the earthy and oaky notes. And perhaps a hint of spice? You'll have to try and find out for yourself. Don't be afirad (your wallet sure won't be).
Buy it at your local Trader Joe's Wine Shop.
A favorite destination for many RHONY cast members, Wölffer Estate Vineyard is the definition of luxe—and their gold-embossed bottles exude it. Their popular, super-crisp chardonnay deserves to be on this list because it tastes as fancy as it looks: It's well-balanced (not too acidic, not too sour), making it great for those looking for a medium-bodied wine full of flavor. (Warning: Your mouth will water after your first sip.)
If your go-to white is a sauvignon blanc, consider putting this rosé on your roster for days so nice you simply *must* day drink. Fruity but still dry and crisp, this pink drink is perfect for a summer barbeque (it pairs well with grilled fish and seafood!), an al fresco date night, or just sipping in bed while watching Bachelor in Paradise. The choice is up to you. And at less than $10 a bottle, you should probably stock up for all of the above occasions.
Good god, is this ever a good cab. It's fruity and a lil bit jammy without being too sweet or heavy, with notes of ripe cherry. Uncork it at a dinner party (perhaps paired with a beef or chicken dish) and your guests will assume you're pouring them something wayyyy more expensive than you are. And if you're feeling real good halfway through dinner, it's because this guy's got a pretty hefty ABV (we simply love to see it).
Buy it at your local Trader Joe's Wine Shop.
At the risk of sounding basic, I am here to say that I am a ~champagne girl~. Like, I'm obsessed with anything chilled and bubbly. I've tasted pretty much every sparkling wine you can think of, and if there's a spritz on a menu, you better believe I'll order it. That said, the Trader Joe's Blanc de Blancs Brut has been a staple on my bar cart for years. It's cheap as hell, tastes pretty darn delicious (a little floral, a little fruity), and provides that perfect fizz for any homemade cocktail. (Combine one part seltzer, one part Aperol, and one part THIS for the best Aperol Spritz of your life. You heard it here first.)
Buy it at your local Trader Joe's Wine Shop.
If I'm not drinking sparkling wine, I'm a sauvy b girl through and through (does that make me coastal grandmother chic?), so I can say with confidence that this inexpensive bottle is solid. Light, dry, and just a little acidic, you'll get strong hints of citrus and green apple with every sip. It's also produced by a WOC-owned winery, and we! love! that! BUY A BOTTLE
If, “Which of these is the driest?” is your go-to line when ordering from a wine list, skip this pick. This one's for the girlies that like it sweet. The best word to describe the flavor is "juicy," and you'll get notes of rich chocolate and plump blueberry (yum!). Honestly, I love a dry wine, but I also love a glass of this depending on how I'm feeling. It might be sweet but it's also refreshing, and it always leaves me wanting more. BUY A BOTTLE
Portugal is known for their vinho verde (which literally translates to "green wine"), a slightly bubbly, low-ABV wine that comes from a region called Minho, in the far north part of the country. And let me tell you...it's delicious and oh-so refreshing. This bottle, from the winery Espiral, is a tasty vinho verde exclusive to TJ's, and you can cop it for under $5. The green apple and melon flavors pair well with seafood, veggies, and salty apps, so consider grabbing a few for your next soirée.
Buy it at your local Trader Joe's Wine Shop.
If there's one thing Sicilians do well, it's wine. Live your best White Lotus season two life with a glass of this red blend from 7 Sicilians, another brand exclusive to TJ's. It's made from a mix of different varietals you probably already know and love (like syrah, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and pinot noir), and boasts a bold but dry taste. And with a 13.5% ABV, you'll just need a glass or two to really get the party started.
Buy it at your local Trader Joe's Wine Shop.
If you ask me, being called "fruity" is a compliment—especially when you're a glass of wine. This crisp, medium-bodied blend will earn 10/10 from all the fruit aficionados at your next party (especially citrus lovers!), with notes of lime, melon, white peach, and candied lemon. If your mouth isn't watering yet, I simply don't know what to tell you...
Fun fact: Trader Joe’s has its own private-label wine brands. Most of these brands (like their famous Charles Shaw brand, which makes the legendary “Two Buck Chuck”) are made by a family-run company called Bronco Wine, in California. Bronco is known for focusing on making quality wines for low prices. In addition to these private-label brands, Trader Joe’s is also said to purchase most of the other brands they sell in bulk, which helps keep the price down.
Ummmm, yes! I recently took an incredible wine-tasting class in Porto, Portugal with Rafael de Lima, a wine producer and sommelier, who told me that he loves stopping by Trader Joe’s Wine Shops when he’s in the U.S. for work. I believe his exact words were, “For bottles between $10 and $18, you can’t get much better than Trader Joe’s.” If you don’t believe me, believe him.
Hannah Chubb is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.
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