While it may not measure up to your typical (and well over $20) Barolo, Trader Joe's delivers some pretty good Nebbiolo for only $12, the Corte Rossa Barolo DOCG.
100% Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy. While we don't know the exact aging on this wine, the Barolo region requires 38 months of aging before release with at least 18 months in oak. This is one of the reasons you rarely find these wines under $20.
The Corte Rossa Barolo is available exclusively at Trader Joe's for just $11.99. It is imported by Plume Ridge.
Excellent with meat dishes and seasoned cheeses. Serve at 60-65F.
14% Alcohol
The 2015 Corte Rossa Barolo begins with quite an attractive aroma of ripe red cherry and berry fruit, licorice, leather, cinnamon and a little vanilla.
Taking a sip reveals a dry, pretty tasty wine that is unmistakably Italian. It paired quite well with my wife's homemade lasagna. Smooth with chewy tannins and similar flavors to the nose, this is really pretty good at this low price.
It ends with a dry, lip-puckering finish of tart berry fruit. It is a bit rough and rustic, but there's nothing wrong with that in our book.
While the Barolo connoisseur will no doubt scoff (and with good reason) this is still a solid Nebbiolo based wine at this extremely low price.
We also found it to be much better than the other sub-$20 Trader Joe's Barolo, the 2015 Rosa dell Olmo that sells for $14.99 (we don't recommend that one).
It is nowhere near; however, the quality of something like the Vite Colte Essenze Barolo we recently covered as a Saturday Splurge. Nor is it close in quality to the Kirkland Signature Barolo. Still, it is a pretty nice rendition of Nebbiolo for just $12.
You can also find more of our favorite Italian wines here!
