If you’ve been reading this blog for all of five second you will know that I’m a Trader Joe’s junkie. Part of it is hometown pride — the very first Trader Joe’s opened in Pasadena in 1967 (and that location is still one of my favorites). Part of it is a loyalty to their great dairy prices and fantastic, well-priced convenience foods, like shredded organic Tuscan kale, and almond flour. But part of it (and not a small part) is that Trader Joe’s has spoiled me for other wine merchants. Why spend $20 on a bottle of wine when you can spend $10? Or, let’s face it, $4? Everyone knows about Two Buck Chuck (not my favorite) but I thought I’d point you to some of the other dirt cheap well-priced wines I’ve found at Trader Joe’s.
Wine: Seccola Frizzante
Region: Italy
Style: Light and Sparkling White
Price: $3.99 a bottle
I mean, it’s sparkling wine for $4, and it’s not Andre (which I fondly remember drinking at my 18th birthday, held in my college dorm room, so no judgment, but still …) This is a light, sparkling wine with a hint of sweetness. If you’re familiar with champagne classifications, this isn’t as dry as a Brut (what most people think of when they think of champagne) but it’s not as sweet as a demi-sec. I don’t mind the sweetness — I like this as a pre-dinner aperitif on a warm night, when a little sweetness takes the edge off. It also plays very nicely with some of my favorite warm weather cuisines, like Mexican and Thai – anything with a bit of spice — and it would be great for brunch (I’d say in mimosas, but why ruin sparkling wine with orange juice? Still, if mimosas are your thing, this would make a great mimosa. Or a bellini.) The bubbles aren’t as fine as Dom Perignon, but it’s a definite bubbly – similar in style to many Proseccos. The genius of this particular bottle is that it comes with a screw top, so you can have just one glass with your guacamole, put the lid back on, and enjoy your bubbles the next day, too.
Thanks for the tip. My husband and I are always looking for inexpensive wines to try at Trader Joe’s, especially reds. Would love to hear more recommendations!
How I love a glass of sparkling wine on a summer’s day. Our first Trader Joe’s opened in November (hallelujah!), but because we’re in Utah, there is not a single bottle of alcohol to be found on their shelves. I’ll have to look for this the next time I visit California.
It was so good to meet you and your adorable little boy last weekend, Kate.
Great tip! Will be on the lookout for this on the next road trip to Trader Joe’s. Thanks! 🙂
Made your broccoli salad Wednesday and it was even more delicious yesterday!
TJs doesn’t carry Seccola anymore! At least not in northern Calif. Now where do we find it? A great everyday bubbly.
I just found that out! I’d try the Vinho Verde as a good sub at the same price point. It’s a little less sweet than the Seccola – one of my summer favorites.
I just bought one bottle of Seccola wine at Trader’s Joe’ yesterday 09/29/13. I like red wine, but I’ll try this just to see. My wife likes sparkling wine like Asti Spumante. I am always looking for a sweet wine for her.