By: Jon Thorsen Published: Last Updated:
Wines 7, 8, 9 & 10 in our series!
One of the great things about Trader Joe's is the abundance of cheap, and I mean really cheap, wine. Unfortunately a lot of it is bad, and I mean really bad.
Today we're featuring four of our favorites priced at $5.99 or less. These wines won't blow your socks off, but they are certainly solid and offer some good quality at such a low price. And while these are reviews of the currently available vintages all four have been pretty consistent over the years so they are about as close to a safe bet as you can get for around $5.
First up is the 2013 Grifone Sangiovese from Puglia, Italy. (Grifone is pronounced Gree-pho-nay). Available exclusively at Trader Joe's. Purchased for $3.99.
From the bottle:
"This wine is inspired by the ancient history of our people and is a tribute to Juno, wife of Jupiter and Queen of the gods of ancient Rome, the protector of welfare of women overseeing all aspects of marriage, fertility, and childbirth. Sangiovese (literally Blood of Jupiter), Italy's most popular grape, is best suited to create a wine with complex character yet sufficiently delicate to appeal to those preferring smooth and fruit driven wines.
Notes of sweet fruits intertwine with hints of Mediterranean spices, vitalized by a bright acidity that is balanced by balsamic and fragrant flavors, extending its finish and inviting the next sip.
Sharing an intrinsic characteristic of all Italian wines, Sangiovese goes well with healthy foods made from quality ingredients. Try it chilled with light fare or with your favorite medley salad. The wine is especially suitable for pairing with vegetarian and vegan dishes.
12.5% Alcohol"
The 2013 Grifone Sangiovese begins with aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry and raspberry along with a little anise and leather. This easy to drink wine tastes super ripe and perhaps slightly medicinal with lots of jammy sweet mixed berry and sour cherry fruit. A hint of an earthy undertone leads into the medium length finish which features more lingering sweet fruit.
Taste Rating: 6 Cost Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 7.0
Recommended Buy
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Next is the 2012 La Granja Tempranillo from country Carinena, Aragon, Spain. Available exclusively at Trader Joe's. Purchased for $3.99.
From the bottle:
"La Granja 360 (AKA the farm 360) winery is located in the North of Spain.
La Granja is there to entertain and bring happiness to all the people. A different wine - 360° turnaround - for different people.
An everyday drinking soft rounded juicy red wine with ripe raspberry flavours.
A great match for barbeque roasted meat, grilled vegetables or cheeses.
13% Alcohol"
The 2012 La Granja Tempranillo begins with aromas of black cherry, raspberry, a touch of cranberry and cedar. This is a simple wine but it does benefit from some time to breathe. Black cherry, raspberry, strawberry and a distinct earthy note are the primary flavors on this soft and easy wine. It ends dry with some unusual, but not unpleasant, lingering citrus notes.
Taste Rating: 6 Cost Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 7.0
Recommended Buy
Third we have the 2012 Honey Moon Viognier from California. Available exclusively at Trader Joe's. Purchased for $5.99.From the bottle:
"Viognier is a rare and stylish grape with golden hues and amazing floral scents. Our Honey Moon Viognier is named after the June Full Moon, which signifies the moment when the sweet scent of flowers turn into young grapes, creating this lush, full bodied wine with peach, apricot and honeysuckle aromas followed by luscious honey, mango and nectar finish.
Very perfumey, Viognier is beautiful with 'exotic' recipes such as Thai coconut-based curries and many cheeses. It's also a tasty and unusual choice for dishes like simply prepared lobster, roast chicken and plainly sauteed sole or trout.
13.5% Alcohol"
The 2012 Honey Moon Viognier begins with aromas of peach and citrus plus honeysuckle and other pleasant floral notes. The wine tastes sweet and simple with flavors of apricot, pears, peach and a surprising note of banana that comes into play mid-palate and lasts all the way into the finish. This medium-bodied wine is a bit flabby but it makes up for it with lots of pleasing flavors. There's even a hint of a mineral streak on the nice medium length finish.
Taste Rating: 6 Cost Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 7.0
Recommended Buy
Last is the 2011 Epicuro Aglianico from Beneventano IGT, Campania, Italy. Available exclusively at Trader Joe's. Purchased for $5.99.From the bottle:
"This red wine shows intense blackberry and cherry notes harmoniously exalted by a light spicy background. Smooth and velvety with a firm backbone. Perfect at 18° with red meat, ham, and mature cheeses.
13% Alcohol"
The 2011 Epicuro Aglianico begins with aromas of blackberry and a little spice. The medium-bodied wine tastes smooth, soft and simple with blackberry jam and cranberry fruit that's a bit on the syrupy side. Hints of smoked meat and anise are a nice surprise. It ends dry with good length.
Taste Rating: 6 Cost Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 7.0
Recommended Buy
Other wines in the Trader Joe's Top Picks 2014 Series:
- Trader Joe's GSM Reserve Lot# 96 - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #1
- Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #2
- Il Tarocco Chianti Classico - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #3
- Panilonco Merlot Malbec Reserva - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #4
- Chateau Mayne Guyon 2011 - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #5
- Picton Bay South Island Pinot Noir - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #6
- Grifone Sangiovese - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #7
- La Granja Tempranillo - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #8
- Honey Moon Viognier - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #9
- Epicuro Aglianico - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #10
- Sauvignon Republic Sauvignon Blanc - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #11
- Rosa dell'Olmo Barbera d'Asti - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #12
- Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Napa Valley Meritage - Trader Joe's Top Picks Wine #13
- See the picks from our 2013 series here!
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