I find myself saying this more often than not to my friends who buy two-buck chuck, which is actually three-buck chuck, spend the extra $1.49 and just get a Trader Joe’s Coastal wine instead. The Coastal brand never seems to disappoint for $4.49. The Sauvignon Blanc smells and tastes like a traditional Sauvignon Blanc: You’ve…
Tag: Trader Joe’s
Non-California, Pinot Grigio, Under $10
Review: 2012 Gaetano d’Aquino Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie
by wineforthewin •
This Italian Pinot Grigio is dry with a tangy aftertaste. An apple flavor dominates here. Did I like it? Well, better said perhaps that I didn’t hate it. It was OK. The 2012 Gaetano D’Aquino Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie is a very cheap Pinot Grigio from Trader Joe’s, so that’s a plus. It’s a fruity, non-demanding…
Bordeaux, Non-California, Review, Savignon Blanc, Under $10
Review: 2013 Les Portes de Bordeaux Savignon Blanc
by wineforthewin •
I was tired of not having white wine in the fridge when I was hankering for a refreshing sip on a hot summer night, so I went to Trader Joe’s and stacked up on whites. I picked up this Les Portes de Bordeaux Savignon Blanc that I hadn’t tried before. Savignon Blanc, in my mind,…
Non-California, Review, Rose, Under $10
Review: 2013 J.L. Quinson Cotes de Provence Rose
by wineforthewin •
I experimented a bit with this wine. I had brought a pretty good roe from Trader Joe’s, 2013 La Ferme Julien Rose, to a picnic–mostly because it was hot and I thought a rose would be refreshing and because it has a screwtop, which is perfect for al fresco drinking. My friend brought the 2013…
Non-California, Review, Rose, Under $10
Review: 2012 La Ferme Julien Rose
by wineforthewin •
Simple, but good. Those were the first words out of my mouth when I sipped the 2012 La Ferme Julien Rose while watching “True Detective” and twirling some spaghetti squash with pesto and peas onto my fork earlier this week. It was such an easy-drinker I had to refrain myself from finishing more than half…
California, Review, White Blend
Oscars and 2012 Moderna Symphony
by wineforthewin •
Our annual Oscar party, which we pair with a signature red carpet cocktail, was a hit, and so was the cocktail, but after we finished a bottle of Bulleit bourbon, we moved on to the liquid treats brought by our guests. One such gift, was a bottle of 2012 Moderna Chardonnay. It was a light,…
California, Red Blend, Under $10
Review: 2011 Cocobon Red Wine Blend
by wineforthewin •
For some reason, whenever I say Cocobon it makes me think of big band music, dancers with big feather headdresses, Miami Beach in the 1960s and that scene in “The Mask” when Jim Carrey does a crazy dance number. Remember that one? If not, here’s a refresher: The 2011 Cocobon, sold at Trader Joe’s, is…
Cabernet Sauvignon, Non-California, Review, Under $10
Review: 2010 Terrenal Cabernet Sauvignon; Kosher Wine
by wineforthewin •
My dad is what I like to call a cafeteria Jew. He picks and chooses what he wants to follow. Same goes for how kosher he is. He’ll eat lobster, but when it comes to wine, he’ll only buy kosher wine. Celebrating Hanukah at my parent’s house, he brought out his favorite Kosher wine: Terrenal’s…
Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Review, Under $10
Review: 2012 Velvet Moon Cabernet Sauvignon
by wineforthewin •
This is another Friendsgiving wine, because what makes Friendgiving better than regular Thanksgiving? You get drunk with your friends because you’re having fun, rather than getting drunk with your family to forget the dysfunction. The 2012 Velvet Moon Cabernet Sauvignon, like the name, is smooth throughout. It is sweeter than most Cabs I’ve had, but…
Red Blend, Review, Under $10
Review: 2012 Green Fin Red Table Wine
by wineforthewin •
At a Friendsgiving dinner this weekend, I was told that the Green Fin Red Table Wine from Trader Joe’s would be the best under $5 wine I’ve ever had. This red blend is pretty simple. It’s drinkable, but not great. It’s got tart berry and a hint of vanilla, but not much else and the bottle…