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    Grifone Primitivo From Trader Joe's - Super Grape Jam!

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: October 9, 2013 Last Updated: December 10, 2016

    2012-Grifone-Primitivo

    Primitivo (Zinfandel) from Puglia, Italy. Available exclusively at Trader Joe's (in the U.S.) for $3.99. From the bottle: "Zinfandel in America...Primitivo in Italy...Mali Plavac in Croatia...For more than a millenium, the mystery grape of international viticulture … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Italy, Primitivo, Trader Joe's

    TJ's Classics - Trader Joe's Week Wines #8, #9 and #10

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 29, 2013 Last Updated: December 10, 2016

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    [Check out our most recent Trader Joe's series here!] Today is the last day of our Trader Joe's Week reviews and so we turn to a trio of reliably good, always cheap and almost always available Trader Joe's exclusive wines. First up is the 2011 Cocobon Red Wine, a wine that … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Italy, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    Brunello and Barbaresco On The Cheap - Trader Joe's Week Wines #6 and #7

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 28, 2013 Last Updated: October 1, 2021

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    [Also check out our most recent Trader Joe's series here!] Trader Joe's Week continues with a couple iconic and expensive Italian varieties on the cheap. The question is, are they worth it? First up is the 2008 Sommavite Brunello di Montalcino Annata. This wine is 100% … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Barbaresco, Brunello, Bulk Buy, Italy, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Trader Joe's

    Cheap and Refreshing White Wines - Trader Joe's Week Wines #2 and #3

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 25, 2013 Last Updated: May 28, 2020

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    [Check out our most recent Trader Joe's series here!] Trader Joe's week continues with a couple inexpensive, refreshing and enjoyable white wines! First up is the 2012 Dr. Beckermann Piesporter Michelsberg Spatlese Riesling from Mosel, Germany. This one was purchased … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Germany, Riesling, Trader Joe's

    Trader Joe's Week Wine #1 - Berton Vineyard The Black Shiraz

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 24, 2013 Last Updated: August 25, 2017

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    [Check out our most recent Trader Joe's series here!] BULK BUY! The first installment in our weeklong series on Trader Joe's wine! Shiraz from Barossa, Australia available exclusively at Trader Joe's. Purchased for $7.49. From the bottle: "The Black Barossa Shiraz is … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Australia, Bulk Buy, Shiraz, Trader Joe's

    Aquila d'Oro Toscana - Only $3.99 But Still Not Worth It

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 8, 2011 Last Updated: December 15, 2016

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    Available at Trader Joe's. From the bottle: "Toscana Rosso is a typical Tuscan red that has been around for centuries. The climate coupled with the calcium rich soil gives the wine its full body and long lingering finish.Indicazione Geografica Tipica is the second of four … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Italy, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    Marqués de Montañana Garnacha - Save Your Money

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 18, 2011 Last Updated: December 15, 2016

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    Tastes just like...grape juice. $4.99 at Trader Joe's. From the bottle: Marqués de Montañana is the name of a village close to Zaragoza where in the 18th century there were several gourmet marquises. The region Calatayud is known for its high altitude (900 metres) and low … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Garnacha, Spain, Trader Joe's

    Trader Joe's Growers Reserve Organic Zinfandel Paso Robles 2009 - Forgettable

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: April 18, 2011 Last Updated: December 15, 2016

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    A completely forgettable Zinfandel from Trader Joe's. $5.49 exclusively at Trader Joe's. From the bottle: The Trader Joe's Growers Reserve Zinfandel was made with organically grown grapes. We believe in working with nature to produce outstanding wines. The Trader Joe's … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Organic, Trader Joe's, Zinfandel

    La Finca La Celia Malbec - A $3.99 Malbec worth at least $4.50

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: April 12, 2011 Last Updated: December 15, 2016

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    $3.99 from Trader Joe's. From the bottle: The vineyards of Finca La Celia lie in the foothills of the Argentine Andes. Stunning purple color. Its bouquet is intense, rich in blackcurrant, vanilla and spices. On the palate the soft and succulent ripe fruits follow through … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Argentina, Malbec, Trader Joe's

    La Granja Syrah - The Rooster That Lays The Golden Egg??

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 28, 2011 Last Updated: October 1, 2021

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    $4.99 at Trader Joe's. From the bottle: La Granja 360, means in Spanish "The Farm 360". The region is located in the north of Spain. A new plantation of the Syrah grape. We are happy we can present you more animals from our farm, especially this one, which brings us more … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Spain, Spain - Carinena, Syrah, Trader Joe's

    San Antonio Winery Tres Pinos Three Pines Cuvée - An Inexpensive Red Blend From Trader Joe's

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 14, 2011 Last Updated: April 2, 2021

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    Another inexpensive red blend from Trader Joe's. 2009 Tres Pinos San Luis Obispo County Three Pines Cuvée Red Wine, $4.99 at Trader Joe's. From the bottle: Three Pines Cuvée Red is a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. San Luis Obispo County is … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    Trentatre Rosso - The Mighty Have Fallen

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 12, 2011 Last Updated: December 15, 2016

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    $5.99 at Trader Joe's (Pictured: 2008 Trentatre Rosso Ratings Champion) From the bottle: This unique wine comes from the Apulia Region located in the depth of Southern Italy. The blend is an equal amount of three different varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon 33,3%, Merlot 33,3%, … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Italy, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    Epicuro Salice Salentino Riserva - An Inexpensive Italian that Over-Delivers

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 8, 2011 Last Updated: October 1, 2021

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    80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera from Italy. Available for $5.99 at Trader Joe's. From the bottle: A blend of Negroamaro 80% and Malvasia Nera 20%. Intense ruby red in color with orange reflections on the outside rim of the wine. Intense and persistent aromas of red, … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Italy, Negroamaro, Salice Salentino, Trader Joe's

    Trader Joe's Tempranillo Petit Reserve - Multicultural

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 6, 2011 Last Updated: December 15, 2016

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    It's a wonderful time in history to be a consumer of wine. Case in point: The 2009 Trader Joe's Tempranillo Petit Reserve is a wine I purchased in Minnesota made from a Spanish grape grown in California and sold by a Germany company. What's most amazing is that you could say … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Tempranillo, Trader Joe's

    DnA Vineyards Benefactor Cellars Mendocino County Red Wine - Solid

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: February 28, 2011 Last Updated: December 15, 2016

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    Cool label, great story, but how's the wine? Only $4.99 at Trader Joe's. 50% Zinfandel, 40% Syrah, 10% Carignane. From the bottle: Oh erstwhile unstoppable wine market! There are those who have mourned your passing with many a tear, many a boo hoo. But we celebrate the … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    Bulk Buy: 2008 Trentatre Rosso 33 (Santini Wines Trentatre Salento IGT)

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: February 19, 2011 Last Updated: May 18, 2015

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    [Note 3/12/2011: Do not confuse the 2008 Trentatre Rosso with the 2009 that is on Trader Joe's shelves now. Read the 2009 review.]   The 2008 Trentatre Rosso 33 from Trader Joe's (for just $5.99) wearing the official (and highly sought after) Reverse Wine Snob Ratings … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, Italy, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    Oreana Syrah Project Happiness - Turn that smile upside down :-(

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: February 18, 2011 Last Updated: December 15, 2016

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    From Trader Joe's comes this Syrah for just $5.99. Sometimes a $5.99 wine tastes like a $5.99 wine, and sometimes it tastes even worse than that. This is one of those times. From the bottle: Finally, somebody put it in a bottle. Happiness. Sure took awhile, though. Seeking … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Syrah, Trader Joe's

    Napa Valley Cab Face-Off: Kirkland Signature versus Spiral Wines

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: February 17, 2011 Last Updated: October 1, 2021

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    Two Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa Valley. One, a 2008. The other, a 2009. One comes from Costco while the challenger hails from Trader Joe's. Both are under $15, but which do we prefer? Read on... First up is the 2008 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon from Costco for … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Costco, Kirkland Signature, Trader Joe's

    Archeo Nero d'Avola Ruggero di Tasso Sicilia IGT - The Perfect Pairing For Pepperoni Pizza

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: February 14, 2011 Last Updated: December 15, 2016

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    Verbatim from the bottle (typos and all): Grapes: Nero d'Avola 100% Production area: South-western Sicily. Lot's of berry character with soft tannins and lightly jammy finish. Pair with red sauced dishes and grilled meats. This wine is 13% alcohol and is another imported by … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Italy, Nero d'Avola, Trader Joe's

    Chiusa Grande Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Tommolo - An Organic Red Wine That Aims to Please

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: February 12, 2011 Last Updated: December 15, 2016

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    The 2009 Chiusa Grande Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Tommolo comes from Trader Joe's and is just $5.99. The bottle says it is made with organic grapes, which seems rather incredible for the price point. The wine is imported by D'Aquino Italian Importing, but the wine is not listed on … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Italy, Montepulciano, Organic, Trader Joe's

    Why I Buy Wine At Costco and Trader Joe's

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: February 7, 2011 Last Updated: April 5, 2015

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    [EDIT: For more recent info on Costco and Trader Joe's, check out our recent week long series on each: Costco Week 2013 and Trader Joe's Week 2013.] Here at the Reverse Wine Snob we're all about finding great wine for under $20. Critical to the success of that strategy; … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Costco, Trader Joe's

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