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Best Wines at Trader Joe's - The 2021 Reverse Wine Snob Picks

Trader Joe's is renowned for their selection of cheap, private label wines. Unfortunately, some of it is just plain bad. There are; however, gems to be found in this sea of cheap wine and we unveil our absolute favorite picks in this giant list of the best wines at Trader Joe's. Read on for our Complete Guide to Trader Joe's wine.

The Best Wines at Trader Joe's - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks
From Chianti and a basic Cotes du Rhone to even Barolo, Amarone and Napa Valley Cabernet TJ's offers a little bit of everything often at prices that boggle the mind. If you've been wondering if some of those wines can possibly be good, you've come to the right place because we've tasted just about all of them. (We've also dumped a heck of a lot of them down the drain!)

The wines reviewed here are mostly private label ones, simply because these offer the best value. Cutting out the middle man with private labels is TJ's strength, both in terms of wine and their grocery products.

Because the wine names don’t always include "Trader Joe's" look for the "Trader Joe's Exclusive" sign on the shelves to identify these. The reason this is important is simply that the mass market wines sold at TJ's are usually not priced very competitively and many are just there to make the private label wines seem like a better deal. (The folks at TJ's are master marketers, pulling just about every trick in the book.)

For the wines that actually do include Trader Joe's on the label there a number of different "Reserve" levels to look for. From highest to lowest quality they are:

Platinum Reserve - there are not a lot of these and they don't last long, so buy them if you see them!

Grand Reserve - generally very good quality.

Reserve - quality can vary but we have a lot of good picks on our list.

Petit Reserve - can be hit or miss but we have a few recommended ones on our list below.

To make sure you always get your money's worth, keep reading for the best wines at Trader Joe's!

You may also want to check out our Guides to Costco Wine and Aldi Wine.

Photo Credit: Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock.com


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The Pass Sauvignon Blanc – Simply Tasty

By: Jon Thorsen Last Updated: July 28, 2020

The Pass Sauvignon Blanc – Simply Tasty

A fresh, simple and tasty wine from Trader Joe's, The Pass Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. The wine … [Read more...]

Published: July 28, 2020 Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, Trader Joe's

Trader Joe’s Reserve Petit Verdot Lot 154 – A Lot To Love

By: Jon Thorsen Last Updated: July 21, 2020

Trader Joe's Reserve Petit Verdot Lot 154 - A Lot To Love

An excellent example of the variety an an extremely low price, the Trader Joe's Reserve Petit Verdot Lot 154. Petit Verdot from Paso … [Read more...]

Published: July 21, 2020 Filed Under: California, Highly Recommended, Petit Verdot, Trader Joe's

Corte Rossa Barolo – Budget Barolo!

By: Jon Thorsen Last Updated: July 17, 2020

Corte Rossa Barolo – Budget Barolo!

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 … [Read more...]

Published: July 17, 2020 Filed Under: Barolo, Nebbiolo, Trader Joe's

Rutherford Lane Cabernet Sauvignon – Rutherford For The Rest of Us

By: Jon Thorsen Last Updated: July 8, 2020

Rutherford Lane Cabernet Sauvignon - Rutherford For The Rest of Us

A rare budget Cab from this exclusive AVA in Napa Valley, the Rutherford Lane Cabernet Sauvignon from Trader Joe's. Cabernet … [Read more...]

Published: July 8, 2020 Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Trader Joe's

Radient Chenin Blanc Viognier – Another Pine Ridge Copycat

By: Jon Thorsen Last Updated: June 30, 2020

Radient Chenin Blanc Viognier - Another Pine Ridge Copycat

Ever wonder where the wines at Trader Joe's come from? The Carpathian Vineyards Radient Chenin Blanc Viognier is an illuminating example. … [Read more...]

Published: June 30, 2020 Filed Under: California, Chenin Blanc, Trader Joe's, Viognier, White Blends

Emma Reichart Dry Riesling – Quite Tasty

By: Jon Thorsen Last Updated: October 15, 2020

Emma Reichart Dry Riesling - Quite Tasty

Another $5 find from Trader Joe's, the Emma Reichart Dry Riesling. Riesling from Rheinhessen, Germany. … [Read more...]

Published: June 23, 2020 Filed Under: Germany, Highly Recommended, Riesling, Thanksgiving, Trader Joe's

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