GirlsGuideTo | Thirsty Thursday: 7 Budget-Friendly Wines from Trader Joe’s

Do you have a Trader Joe’s near you? I’m not allowed to go in that store because my brain is temporarily taken over and I end up spending $200 on organic food we’ll never eat and all those chocolate treat thingys they have above the freezers. Like chocolate covered almonds and the turtles…Anyway, you know what I’m talking about. It’s a danger zone for me. BUT it is a great place to buy wine. Especially wine on a budget. I mean, they’re the ones that brought us “Two-buck Chuck!” For $8 to $10, you can get a great bottle of wine, which is great if you’re like me and want to try all of them. (It’s so I can learn about wine, duh!)

The problem is, it’s so hard to tell if you’re going to like a bottle you choose. Especially with inexpensive wine – it can go really well or really, really bad. I found this list of picks that Mary Gorman-McAdams, MW (Master of Wine) picked out at her local store this spring and thought I’d share her wisdom. So next time you hit up Trader Joe’s or your local wine shop, pick up one or two of these seven bottles and enjoy!

White Wines
2009 Blason de Bourgogne Saint-Veran, Burgundy, France, $8.99
Mid gold color. Aromas of ripe, yellow and tropical fruit - Mirabelle plums, pineapple, apricot pith, with a touch of bay/laurel herbal spice. Crisp, juicy and slightly fleshy with a moderate intensity warming earthy flavors. Slightly short on the finish but a perfectly suitable easy-drinking week night wine.

2010 Epicuro Vermentino, DOC Lazio, Italy $5.99
Attractive mineral notes on the nose alongside aromas of ripe stone fruit, exotic citrus and a touch of sage. Refreshing and quite mouth-filling. Ample bright fruit flavors that mirrored the nose. Succulent texture and minerality followed through. Medium bodied and moderately long finish. Pretty good really and probably the best value at less than $6.

2011 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier, California, $9.99
A blend of 79% Chenin and 21% Viognier. Youthful Pale lemony color and intense zesty aromas of citrus - lemon and lime, ripe peach and floral notes. Spritzy and very juicy with sufficient bright, tangy citrus and stone fruit flavors. A whisper of sweetness of the finish. Light-bodied. Perfect for an apéritif, picnic or spring/summer lunch.

Rosé Wine
2011 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, WO Coastal Region, South Africa, $7.99
Sock-eye salmon color with coppery glints. Aromas of ripe red currents, strawberry compote and wild raspberry. Crisp, juicy with tangy red fruit flavors with good intensity and depth on the palate. Nicely persistent with a juicy finish. Bring on the barbecue please!

**I normally really do not care for rosé at all, but this one is amazing for summer. It’s not too sweet and is lightly sparkling. Would be perfect to serve at a bachelorette party, bridal shower, or baby shower!

Red Wines
2009 Pasqua Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, Veneto, Italy, $8.99
Crimson color. Aromas of sweet and sour cherry, warm earth and woodsy underbrush. Grippy tannins but sufficient fleshy ripe black fruit to balance. Round, warming mouth-feel. Moderate length with a tangy, earthy finish. Good with steak, ribs, or pasta with a Bolognese sauce.

2010 Barkan Classic Merlot, Galil, Israel, $9.99
Mid ruby color, appealing nose of ripe plummy fruit, tobacco leaf with hints of mocha, spice and smoke. Smooth tannins, moderate intensity of bright juicy red and black plummy and ripe berry fruit. Gentle, smooth tannins, round creamy mouth-feel. Moderate finish. Modern, fresh, fruity - an easy red to sip on its own or enjoy at the table with roasted vegetables, duck breast with a fruity glaze, or even paella.

2009 Il Tarocco Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy $9.99
Bright ruby color. Earthy, savory aromas, well-worn leather, black cherry and clove. Refreshing with sandy tannins that have a fairly good grip, adding structure. Packed with bright juicy black fruit, nicely fleshy and a moderately long finish. Well balanced. Perfect with pizza, pasta with a tomato based sauce or grilled steak.

Do you have any favorite budget-friendly finds? Please share (it’s for educational purposes)! ;)