Summer is in full swing, and you *finally* get to kick back with your buds with some cocktails on the patio, the pool and around the campfire. Whether you’re throwing the next shindig at your place or going as a guest, you’ll be looking for a good wine that won’t break the bank. Don’t lose a minute going down a comparison-shopping rabbit hole when there’s Trader Joe’s. TJ’s wine selection has expanded waaaay beyond $2 Buck Chuck with some surprisingly high-end offerings like French Champagne, Italian Pinot Grigio, Languedoc white, Chilean Cabernet, Columbia Valley Riesling… the list goes on. There are great wines to be had at bargain prices, so grab your fave TJ’s summer snack for a pairing and keep on scrolling, because any one of these 11 wines will have you looking like a master sommelier for under $15.
1. La Promenade Provence Rosé ($10): If we were wine snobs, we’d love this rosé because it’s bottled in Provence, where the best rosés spring from. But we’re more hyped about the taste. Crisp and refreshing, with more citrus flavors than berry, it pairs so well with spicy food like BBQ.
2. La Ferme Julien Rosé ($6): Rosé wines are *the* drink of choice this summer because they’re light and refreshing — and soooo pretty in the glass. But this one also delivers on the flavor front. A bit on the sweet side with hints of strawberry, it tastes great with spicy foods and makes a great standalone cocktail sipper as well.
3. Hogue Riesling ($7): Rieslings are generally sweet — and this one definitely delivers. It has flavors of apricot and peach that make it a perfect wine if you’re grilling. Take this to your next party and you’ll be the belle of the BBQ.
4. Azan Picpoul de Pinet Cuvee ($8): France’s Languedoc region is known for delicious and affordable whites that pair well with summer seafood. This white is light and refreshing, with distinct flavors of green apple and citrus that will taste great with grilled fish, shrimp or oysters.
5. Grifone Bianco ($5): If you love Moscato, you will like this white blend that’s definitely on the sweet side. A delicious sipper on a hot day when served chilled, it would also be great as a wine slushie.
6. Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava ($9): Bubbly whites like Cava and Prosecco made using the same method as Champagne are just as impressive but waaaay less expensive. This Cava from Spain is light and refreshing with distinct fruity flavors. It’s great on it’s own — or add a glug of peach nectar and voila! You have an instant bellini.
7. Cecilia Beretta Prosecco ($8): Another of Champagne’s cheaper cousins, this Italian Prosecco makes a great pre-dinner cocktail — and that’s just how they do it in Italy. It’s a great cork popper for special occasions, but at this price you could drink it every night of the week.
8. Gaetano D’Aquino Chianti Riserva ($6): There are some good wines coming out of Sangiovese, and this Chianti is a real bargain. Medium bodied, it’s slightly syrupy in the glass with hints of cherry. At this price, it makes an awesome pizza-night wine.
9. Incanto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ($11): There’s a whole lot of berry in this glass, but that’s balanced by the acidity. This Montepulciano is also from Sangiovese, Italy. It’s a little more spendy than some of the others, but if Italian food is on the menu, it’s worth the splurge.
10. Black Mountain Fat Cat Cabernet Sauvignon ($6):Nothing is more dependable than a cab for robust flavor that is OH-SO-drinkable. This one is earthy, with tangy berry flavors, and the price makes it perfect for sipping out on the deck with your buds.
11. Underwood Pinot Noir 2014 ($6): Yes, wine in a can is a thing!You rarely find a Pinot Noir on a $10 and under table, but here is Underwood to the rescue. This one’s surprisingly tasty, with rich fruit and a tad of acidity. The lightweight, unbreakable and disposable tallboy cans hold about half a bottle, making it a great wine to take to the beach or pool.
