7 Best Trader Joe's Wine Finds under $15 (2024)

Wine

7 Best Trader Joe's Wine Finds under $15 (1)

Wines to Buy at Trader Joe's

I was first introduced to Trader Joe’s wine when I was in college. Every time I would go home to visit my parents in Fort Worth, I would be sure to stop in and stock up on a nice supply of $2 Buck Chuck (balling on a budget, always).

As I got older and started getting a real paycheck, I decided it was time for me to venture out of my happy, cheap comfort zone and try out some more *exquisite* flavors. Of course, my bank account still didn’t exactly scream of wealth, so most of my exploration was in the “under $15” range.

7 Best Trader Joe's Wine Finds under $15 (2)

7 Best Trader Joe's Wine Finds under $15 (3)

An Honest Review of the Wine Shelf

TJ’s carries a nice selection of hard to find wines that are absolutely delicious. That said, they also carry a fair share of wines that are not so great. I have – a time or three – poured a bottle down the drain because it was so bad I didn’t even want my cooking to marinate in it.

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The Best Options at Trader Joe's

All that said, I am experienced in the field of Trader Joe’s sips. I am excited to share with you 7 of my favorite finds!

Zonin Prosecco

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I first talked about Zonin in my article Three Proseccos under $20, but for real this bottle is a steal. It is light and crisp. Truly it feels like you are drinking the season spring right out of the bottle. It is my new go-to celebratory gift to give.

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Though I’m typically not a Shiraz girl, this shiraz/red blend had me feeling some type of way. It has deep scents of plum and sips with bold, dry flavor. Especially my cabernet loving friends – give this bottle a shot.

A little FYI on this: the bottle does not fit on your standard wine rack.

Bay Moon Sauvignon Blanc

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I’ve talked about this before, but if I am going to be sipping a white, it typically will be sparkling or a sauv blanc. That is just the way my pallet rolls I guess.

This particular wine has an amazing aroma which will draw you in. There is a great blend of melon and apple flavors that will remind you of summer. To read my more in detail article on this particular wine click here.

Green Fin Red Wine

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Green Fin is that wine you probably picked up, looked at, and then placed back down to walk over and grab a bottle of $2 buck chuck. I think this is a natural mental response for some reason. Your brain sees the bottle, notice its size, and then subconsciously think to yourself “this isn’t what I typically buy!” and put it down. Next time, the place you need to put it down is in your cart.

This red table wine is made with organic grapes and is rich and flavorful. It really fills the mouth with blackberry and black cherry. One of the most impressive parts about this wine is the fact that, though it is only $4, it has no harsh bite going down. I am highly impressed with this extremely affordable find.

Corvelia Cabernet

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Corvelia has become a frequent member on my blog recently. She not only has her own article, but a cameo in my Best Cabernets for New Wine Drinker’s post. I love the flavor of this wine more than most. Any time I can actually find it in stock I buy multiple bottles because I know it probably won’t be there during my next store visit.

Treviso Prosecco

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Treviso is a highly affordable prosecco that comes from one of the most famous Prosecco producing cities in the world. It’s flavor is lucious and full of pear and hints of honeysuckle. Not that this is a deciding factor in any way, but it is the prettiest color of any of my favorite affordable proseccos. If you’re wanting to sip during a photoshoot, this is the right choice.


Read more about Treviso here.

Cantina Zaccagnini Red

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Last but not least, Cantina Zaccagnini is a dry Italian red. The flavor is one that grows as you let it air, so if you do buy a bottle, give it a few minutes of air time before taking your first sip. The flavor is a mix of dark berries with a peppery spice (different than smoky) that is highly alluring.

Best Trader Joe’s Wines Under $15

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7 Best Trader Joe's Wine Finds under $15 (12)

7 Best Trader Joe's Wine Finds under $15 (2024)

FAQs

7 Best Trader Joe's Wine Finds under $15? ›

TJ's wine selection is surprisingly vast and thoughtful, with a number of exclusive wines and bottles from every major wine-making region. And while they do have some higher-end listings, Trader Joe's also offers a variety of quality wines for under $10.

Does Trader Joe's have good wine? ›

TJ's wine selection is surprisingly vast and thoughtful, with a number of exclusive wines and bottles from every major wine-making region. And while they do have some higher-end listings, Trader Joe's also offers a variety of quality wines for under $10.

Why is wine so cheap at Trader Joe's? ›

For instance, one of the wineries behind Trader Joe's wine, which is known for producing the company's famous "Two Buck Chuck" Charles Shaw wine, helps keep prices low by operating outside famous California producing areas such as Napa and Temecula Valley. The cheaper costs help reduce the price of growing the grapes.

Is wine cheaper at Target or Trader Joe's? ›

Both brands' reds are surprisingly good — but for the selection, Trader Joe's offers the better deal.

How much is Corvelia Cabernet Sauvignon at Trader Joe's? ›

Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California. This wine is available exclusively at Trader Joe's and sells for $9.99. There is also a red blend and Zinfandel in addition to Cabernet Sauvignon and between the three a total of 45,000 cases are produced.

What is Trader Joe's biggest seller? ›

The #1 Overall award went to Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips.

Who makes wine for Trader Joe's? ›

Fun fact: Trader Joe's has its own private-label wine brands. Most of these brands (like their famous Charles Shaw brand, which makes the legendary “Two Buck Chuck”) are made by a family-run company called Bronco Wine, in California. Bronco is known for focusing on making quality wines for low prices.

How much is $2 Buck Chuck now? ›

Over the years, the price of Two Buck Chuck has increased (with costs reaching as high as $4 in some states). But to the joy of many, it has returned to its sweet price tag of $2 (in California stores at least).

Can you taste the difference between cheap and expensive wine? ›

Cheaper Wines

This usually means winemaking requirements are looser and grapes could be from anywhere. Not as balanced in acid, tannin, body, and alcohol. (I find them to either taste “watered down” on one end OR somewhat cloying and unnaturally concentrated on the other.)

What happened to Trader Joes wine? ›

However, the Wine Shop, which had been located directly next to the Trader Joe's grocery store at 142 E. 14th St., reportedly closed its doors after 15 years just days before its employees were planning to call a union election.

Is Aldi wine the same as Trader Joe's? ›

Among the chief similarities (aside from their raving fans) is the focus on private label brands, including in wine. And while TJ's also mixes in a fair amount of national brands, ALDI does not. In fact, in many ALDI USA stores, the only wines available will be private label.

What's the cheapest way to buy wine? ›

Look to local long-standing wine shops for an ample selection and more flexibility when it comes time to negotiating a case discount, especially for closeouts on older vintages. Avoid relabeled wines (common in supermarket chains) which are usually bulk wines and “shiners.”

What is the best Trader Joe's wine for Thanksgiving? ›

1. Petit Reserve Monterey Pinot Noir. This classic Trader Joe's wine, according to the company's website, is “ideal for pairing with turkey” and all the Thanksgiving fixings with its aromas of “dark berries and red plum,” which morph into flavors of “raspberry, wild strawberry, and subtle spices” on the palate.

What's the most expensive Cabernet Sauvignon? ›

Here's our list of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon wines to add to your fine wine collection:
  • 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($22,325)
  • 1945 Chateau Mouton Rothschild ($17,309)
  • 1959 Chateau Lafite Rothschild ($4974)
  • 2011 Tusk Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($1,084)

Why does Trader Joe's have such good wine? ›

The reason why TJ's can offer such affordable, quality wines is because the company has partnerships with many well-known California vineyards. The only catch is: Consumers can't know too much about these partnerships.

Why is alcohol so cheap at Trader Joe's? ›

This is largely because 80% of products sold at Trader Joe's are made for its private label, meaning the company cuts out the middlemen and purchases products directly from the supplier. The money it saves in doing so is, in turn, passed along to the shopper.

Is Trader Joe's wine cheaper? ›

Trader Joe's® is renowned for their selection of cheap, private label wines. Unfortunately, a lot of them are 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 Joes.

What's so special about Trader Joe's? ›

From its focus on sustainability and customer service to its affordable pricing and liberal position on refunds, Trader Joe's is one of the most popular grocery store chains in the United States for a reason.

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