Trader Joe’s is wonderful for a lot of things: unique frozen foods, tasty seasonal snacks, and most importantly, their inexpensive yet quite delicious selection of wine. We spoke to five different former Trader Joe’s employees and asked for their best wine recommendation offered at their stores. Here’s what they said!
1. Moon X Pinot Noir
Coming in at $7.99, this red blend is delicious and won’t break the bank. A former TJ’s employee describes it as “smooth with deep notes of plum and cherry, and a great depth of flavor.”
And customers agree. In a review of the beverage on a Trader Joe’s fan account on Instagram, one person wrote, “After I tried one bottle I went back and bought 4 more!”
“It was delicious—sweet but not cloyingly so, dry, very easy-drinking,” commented another.
2. Love, Olivia Peach Wine
Retailing for only $3.99, the Love, Olivia Peach Wine is a beautiful peachy-pink bottle that’s not only tasty, but nice to look at. The former TJ’s employee that recommended it says, “If you like sweet wines, the Love, Olivia peach wine is such a nice spring or summer wine.”
The Trader Joe’s website likens the drink to “a slow, red-orange sunset.” The wine offers a “satisfyingly sweet and fruity” flavor, “but never overpowering.”
Customers also rave about the wine. One enthusiastic fan posted, “I buy a minimum of 3 bottles at a time and am obsessed with it especially come summer, and I’m not usually big on sweet wine like this.” They also added their tip for making it even better: “enjoy this with some frozen peaches and thank me later!”
3. Espiral Vino Verde
This white wine costs less than $10 and is another perfect summer wine. Former Trader Joe's employee describes it as "dry and quenching with just a touch of spritz," and recommends it for summer days.
"This is so good and refreshing!" one customer said about the beverage.
"I highly recommend the Espiral Vino Verde!" another person commented. "Very refreshing."
"Add a splash of Italian Grapefruit Soda and it's the perfect drink to sit on the patio on a warm summer night with." added a third fan.
4. Le Grotte Lambrusco Reggiano
This $5.49 bottle of red wine is a favorite for former employees and TJ customers alike. The former employee we talked to said "it certainly falls on the sweeter side, however, I'd say the wine is well balanced." They also described it as "filled with aromas of red-berry fruit, specifically cherries and strawberries."
Trader Joe's recommends pairing this wine with Mexican dishes as well as any dish with tomato as a central flavor. A customer who's a big fan of the wine posted that "it's fun for holiday gatherings because most people aren't familiar with it but end up loving it."
5. Chateau Sainte Michelle Gewürztraminer
The final wine recommendation on our list is this dry wine wine. The TJ's employee who picked this beverage as their favorite says they "absolutely cannot recommend this wine enough," and it costs less than $10! Flavors of pink grapefruit and ginger make this wine rather unique but certainly delicious.
"This is one of my favorites," a customer said. "Perfect for a wine and charcuterie night with your friends!"
