10 White Wines At Trader Joe's To Buy, And 4 To Avoid

Trader Joe's is a foodie mecca brimming with unique finds, trendy products, and tasty flavors, including its extensive wine selection. Over the years, the store became well known for its famous Charles Shaw wines, otherwise known as "two-buck Chuck." However, dozens of bottles and boxes of every color, shape, and size are available at TJ's from name-brand producers and store-branded options, many at highly affordable prices. 

With so many options to choose from, deciding which deserves a spot on your nightly dinner table can be overwhelming and intimidating. To assist in making the best decision, I recently conducted a taste test to determine which TJ's red wines are worth purchasing and which to avoid. To follow up, I did the same with a group of white wines currently available at my local Trader Joe's. I utilized my skills as a Certified Sommelier, wine writer, and judge to make the determination.

Some recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.

The soils of Chablis, France deliver the trademark flavor profile for its 100% chardonnay wines. The cool-climate region, located in the northernmost part of the greater Burgundy region, produces light, fresh, and lively white wines thanks to the Kimmeridgian clay and limestone soils, which are filled with fossils, lending crushed stone minerality to the delicate wines. Using stainless steel for fermentation and aging, instead of oak, ensures wines have a light texture with focused, mineral-driven layers at the forefront. 

Trader Joe's Sainte-Celine Chablis is an excellent example of chardonnay from the region, particularly for the $15.99 price. The pedigree of the soils typically results in quality Chablis wines costing double or triple that. The wine is produced from a single 30-year-old chardonnay vineyard on Kimmeridgian soils. The winery uses only indigenous yeast during the fermentation process. 

The purity of the fruit in this wine was delightfully apparent when tasting it, accompanied by a distinct mineral note. Layers of lemon-lime, green apple, freesia, and honeydew meld with chalky minerality. The wine's acidity is fresh and bright, and the finish has a hint of salinity, drawing you in to enjoy another sip. The minerality pairs deliciously with briny, raw oysters in a shallot mignonette.

If you love creamy, broad, and well-rounded chardonnay, Sonoma-Cutrer is the winery for you. Its Sonoma Coast Chardonnay blends fruit from hand-selected lots from its regional estates and a small group of growers to produce the luscious wine. The region lies within miles of the Pacific Ocean, enjoying a maritime climate with warm days and cool nights, producing juicy fruit with freshness. 

The grapes undergo primarily barrel fermentation and then undergo 100% malolactic fermentation, converting the harsh malic acid in the wine into softer lactic acid. This process imparts a lovely, creamy, viscous texture. Though the wine's palate is dry, there is a juicy fruitiness, showing orchard fruit notes of golden apple and pear with ripe melon. These notes meld with crème brûlée and warm spice, resulting in a full-flavored wine that, though rich, retains its freshness. Trader Joe's offers the option for $24.99.

Frank Family Vineyards blends chardonnay fruit growing within the Carneros region for its well-rounded wine. Carneros lies within both Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. The area enjoys a maritime climate influenced by strong afternoon breezes blowing off the San Pablo Bay and a cool, wet layer of fog rests in the vineyards from the evening until mid-morning. The fog and wind help cool the fruit, allowing the grapes to maintain their acidity, while warm, sunny days help ripen the grapes. 

After harvest, the chardonnay ferments in a blend of new, once-used, and twice-used French oak before aging in oak for nine months. While the wine ages, senior winemaker Todd Graff and winemaker Alicia Sylvester employ bâtonnage, where the juice and the lees (spent yeast strains) are continuously stirred, helping to bring out the creaminess of the yeast. The process lends texture and richness to the wine while the oak imparts subtle spice and vanilla cream notes. These flavors meld with Meyer lemon, apple tart, and ripe pineapple. 

Though the suggested retail price of this beauty is $40, TJ's offers it for only $34.99. Enjoy this chardonnay with decadent dishes like crab rolls with a garlic butter sauce. The wine's acidity will balance the sauce's richness, while the crab meat's sweetness will complement the wine's fruity character.

Spanish albariño typically grows in northwestern Rías Baixas within Galicia, where the influence of the Atlantic Ocean and mineral-rich soils produces lively white wines with citrus, crushed stone, and a hint of briny salinity. However, Bodegas Raimat crafts its organic and sustainable albariño wine from Costas del Segre on the opposite side of the country within Catalonia. The area is inland, with a continental instead of maritime climate, without the cooling influence of the sea. It does, however, enjoy warm, sunshine-filled days, ensuring the wines achieve full ripeness. Raimat Albariño showcases the hot, arid region, producing a white wine with layers of lemon blossom, white grapefruit, and nectarine. 

While fruity, Raimat's $8.99 selection lacks the mineral-driven character and varietal distinctiveness that expressions from Galicia have. This, along with the deficiency of freshness the cool-climate, Atlantic Ocean influence brings, make it a wine I would suggest skipping. Still, if you do purchase the wine, try it with a pairing of lemon and caper mahi mahi. The saltiness of the capers will provide brininess, helping to lift the wine's palate.

Bringing two different varieties together in a wine blend gives winemakers the ability to create something unique, distinct, and delicious. Pine Ridge Vineyards achieves this with its chenin blanc and viognier white blend, available for under $13 at TJ's. Chenin blanc is a white grape that's classically from the northern Loire Valley of France. Viognier is a Rhône Valley white variety from the south. Although both varieties grow near the rivers their regions are named for, the two are distinctly different. Chenin blanc is a light, crisp, high-acid, aromatic white grape with citrus and floral notes. Viognier is a rich, textured grape with viscosity and stone fruit flavors. 

Pine Ridge combines the two, blending 80% chenin blanc and 20% viognier from fruit grown in Clarksburg and Lodi, California. The welcoming freshness is one of the key traits in this wine that I love. The aromas are sweet and inviting, featuring citrus blossom, honeysuckle, lychee fruit, and ripe apricot. These aromas give way to similar flavors on the palate, melding juicy stone fruit with lemon zest, mandarin, and yuzu. 

The full-flavored wine pairs beautifully with Asian seafood dishes, such as fresh tuna crudo or miso-baked salmon. The fruitiness of the wine will complement the umami flavors in the sauces, while its freshness cuts through the fattiness of the fish.

Bonterra Winery leads with a focus on protecting the environment while producing affordable, quality selections. The Certified B Corp California winery is Regenerative Farming Certified, with True Zero Waste reducing the winery's carbon footprint while working ecologically. The fruit is California Certified Organic. What all of this means is that the winery's core values center around being strong stewards of the land to protect it for future generations. It achieves this by crafting organic wines at great prices. Its everyday collection of Bonterra wines cost less than $20; many are less than $15. Trader Joe's offers Bonterra Organic Pinot Gris for $11.99. 

The selection ferments in stainless steel before resting for a brief two months in the tank before bottling. The quick turnaround after harvest ensures the wine's freshness is at the forefront, producing a crisp and clean character. Inviting aromas of orange blossom and honeysuckle give way to layers of golden apple, ripe melon, and pear.

Santa Margherita is one of the most popular pinot grigio brands in the world, attracting a following of celebrities, aficionados, and wine-loving novices alike. Rising in popularity in the United States in the 1980s, the brand made it fashionable to drink dry, pale, straw-colored pinot grigio. Until that point, most winemakers were producing Italian pinot grigio in a style known as ramato, leaving the fruit on the grayish-pink-colored skins for a brief period to give the wine a rosy, copper tint and fuller body. 

Santa Margherita allows the freshness of the grapes to be at the wine's forefront, delivering citrus and orchard fruit flavors, at a premium price. Though typically around $24, Trader Joe's offers the wine for $21.99. The wine is well-crafted and varietally correct. However, it is not more so than other options from its northern Italian neighbors, like the stellar wines from Alto Adige's Tiefenbrunner, Castelfeder, or Elena Walch, or other options from around the world. These brands offer a similar style of pinot grigio for a fraction of the cost. If money is no object, Santa Margherita is a pleasing wine. However, for the budget-conscious, there are other options that will please the palate and the pocketbook.

The Loire Valley stretches from the Atlantic Ocean inward to central France, with vineyards lining the banks of the Loire River and its tributaries. The maritime climate of the expansive region allows the regional grape varieties to shine with bright acidity, thanks to the moderate temperatures that help create refreshing cool-climate white and red wines. Some of the very best wines hail from Sancerre, located almost in the center of France. Sancerre is known for sauvignon blanc, characterized by a mineral-focused core derived from flint and limestone soils, as exhibited in Moulin Jamet Sancerre. 

The fruit for Moulin Jamet's Sancerre is from an over 45-year-old vineyard within the region that's rich in limestone. The soils lend a brightness to the wine. Its metallic, crushed stone characteristics meld with white flowers, wild herbs, and golden citrus. The wine's palate is juicy, crisp, and well-balanced. The earthiness of the wine will pair nicely with a beetroot and goat cheese tart, utilizing the area's signature cheese. The wine isn't exclusive to Trader Joe's. However, it is likely the best place to buy it for the $14.99 price. Other retailers will charge double that cost.

I was so excited to try Trader Joe's Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Gris. The variety's become one of the signature grapes of the Oregon region since winemakers began to settle in the area just over 50 years ago. Though its chardonnay has gained in popularity, well-crafted pinot gris wines are some of the most beautiful white wines from Willamette Valley. The wines are typically similar to the cool-climate selections found in Alsace, France or Pfalz, Germany, instead of the rounder, richer, warmer-weather pinot grigio wines made popular in Italy and produced throughout California. 

Unfortunately, the $9.99 TJ's wine didn't deliver the classic characteristics of the variety. The palate was thin, without structure or dimension. Although there were subtle aromas of white flowers and ripe melon, the taste was watery and flabby. The fruit flavors came across as tart instead of crisp, lacking the well-rounded texture often associated with pinot gris. If you're in the mood for a pinot gris, pay the extra dollar and opt for the organic selection from Bonterra instead.

Daou Vineyards provides a well-rounded, fruit-forward style with its sauvignon blanc grown in the warm, arid hills of Paso Robles. The Central California region lies not far from the Pacific Ocean, only 19 miles as the crow flies. Still, in between the ocean and the vineyards of Paso Robles lies the Santa Lucia Mountains, blocking cooling ocean breezes from directly reaching the inland region. Although a bit of freshness can enter through the Templeton Gap, helping to create a diurnal shift in temperatures from day to night, for the most part, Paso Robles maintains a continental climate. 

For the fruit growing in the region, the warm temperatures result in juicy, well-rounded wines with a plush texture and silky mouthfeel. Daou's 100% sauvignon blanc shows ripe fruit-forward notes of golden apple, quince, key lime, and nectarine. Though the soils of Paso Robles are known to give the wines a mineral-driven character, Daou's selection is driven by the fruit. Trader Joe's offers the wine for $16.99, making it one of the pricier options I've recommended on this list. Still, it is a refreshing selection that pairs perfectly with summer fare, such as blackened halibut with mango-avocado relish.

Touraine sits squarely in the middle of Loire Valley. It is the home of Vouvray, an area producing luscious dry, sweet, and sparkling styles of chenin blanc wine. Outside of Vouvray, the region is best known for its sauvignon blanc wines. Wines from Touraine tend to be more affordable than those from neighboring areas like Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume, so you can often find quality regional wines at a great price. 

Unfortunately, though attractively priced at $6.99, Vignobles Lacheteau Touraine Sauvignon Blanc isn't a wine I would recommend from Trader Joe's. While the wine opened with lovely aromas of lemon blossom, soft herbs, freshly cut grass, and green apple, the taste didn't match the aromas. The first sip was more bracing than I was expecting, with sharp acidity overwhelming the fruit. Citrus and orchard fruit flavors filled the palate. However, the taste was unrefined with a harsh bitterness that lingered. Although the wine is inexpensive, it lacks the attractive elegance I expect from a sauvignon blanc from Loire Valley, making it a wine to skip.

True Myth showcases cool-climate chardonnay from one of Central California's premier areas, known for its refrigerated sunshine: Edna Valley. The SLO Coast regional wine is located within San Luis Obispo County, an area that benefits from the coastal influence of the Pacific Ocean, with the marine layer bringing cool temperatures and continual breezes through sunshine-filled vineyards throughout the long growing season. The fruit ripens slowly, developing full phenolic character while maintaining its natural fresh acidity. 

True Myth's SIP Certified Sustainable Edna Valley Chardonnay leaps from the glass with a freshness that harmonizes with mouthwatering, juicy, orchard, and tropical fruit flavors. The wine opens with notes of mango, ripe pear, and golden citrus. Nine months of French oak aging imparts creamy custard notes. The varietal distinction, juicy, fruit-forward palate, and overall freshness gives the impression that this wine should cost much more than TJ's $10.99 price tag, making it a must-buy to enjoy any night.

This company also delivers an environmental bonus by supporting the Pollinator Partnership, a non-profit organization helping to preserve the health of the pollinator population, including bees and butterflies. San Luis Obispo County, particularly around Pismo Beach, is an area where hundreds of thousands of monarch butterflies migrate every winter, though fewer are visiting each year. The butterfly adorns the label of every True Myth bottle.

If you're a sauvignon blanc fan but are in the mood to try something different, consider Austria's signature white wine: grüner veltliner. The Austrian origins of grüner veltliner include the ancient grape variety savagnin/traminer, which is also one of the parents of sauvignon blanc. The varieties share similar crisp, light, fresh styles and juicy citrus flavors, though grüner tends to have spicier notes than sauvignon blanc. Austrian vintners have been cultivating grüner veltliner for hundreds of years, including the families of Doris & Leopold. The winery adds the term daham — meaning "at home" — to its grüner veltliner bottle as a nod to the family and its tradition of producing the variety. The wine is available exclusively at Trader Joe's for under $6. 

I like this wine for its refreshing qualities. Although it lacks the peppery spiciness that the variety often exhibits, it features well-balanced acidity, with golden citrus and green apple flavors, and a touch of crushed stone adding interest and character. The wine is an easy-to-drink, uncomplicated, and inexpensive everyday option.

There are many reasons to love the Vinho Verde from Espiral. The Portuguese white wine has a low alcohol content of only 9%. It has a subtle, spritzy effervescence that awakens the palate with a tickle on the tongue. The blend of white grapes is tasty and refreshing, revealing tart green apple, golden citrus, fruit cocktail, and ripe melon flavors. And the wine is a bargain, costing under $4.50 at my local TJ's. 

The wine hails from the northwestern corner of Portugal near the Minho River and the Atlantic Ocean. Though the name literally translates to mean "green wine," the green connotations are that it's a young wine that hails from a vibrant, green landscape. Winemakers in the area intentionally craft the selection to show off the fruit's youthful freshness using a blend of native varieties, including alvarinho, arinto, and avesso. They bottle the wines within months of harvest with the intention that consumers will enjoy the wines shortly thereafter. This wine's acidity is bright, and the palate is clean, making for a highly quaffable selection that pairs deliciously well with regional favorites like grilled sardines or salted cod fish, also known as bacalhau.

To determine which white wines at Trader Joe's to purchase and which to avoid, I tasted and evaluated a selection of options currently available at the store. These options included popular varieties, such as chardonnay and pinot grigio, plus a few interesting alternative varieties. I considered the production and provenance, along with the overall taste. Cost was considered as a factor in comparison to the quality. Though some bottles were expensive and some highly affordable, the wine's caliber needed to correspond with its price. I utilized my training and expertise as a Certified Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Wine to determine which wines you should and shouldn't try from TJ's.