7 of the best wines to buy at Trader Joe's right now, according to a sommelier
I think Copilot's chardonnay pairs well with creamy seafood dishes.
For a refreshing mimosa, I recommend using Trader Joe's Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine.
I love Trader Joe's sourdough bread and new items as much as the next person, but as a sommelier, what really keeps me coming back is the store's wine selection.
With affordable varieties from around the world, Trader Joe's bottles make having a delicious glass of wine — or two — an everyday luxury.
Here are seven of my favorites to buy for the summer season.
For a Champagne dupe on a beer budget, try Trader Joe's Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine.
To officially be called Champagne, the product must be a sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France.
However, that doesn't mean other types of wine can't offer a similar taste. Trader Joe's Blanc de Blanc is a French sparkling wine made with white grapes.
It's dry, crisp, and I think it perfectly complements sweet orange juice for a lively mimosa. For $8, it's luxury on the cheap.
I love Copilot's chardonnay.
Copilot's chardonnay hails from the Los Carneros of Napa Valley.
Apple and citrus notes with a touch of buttery oak make this $8 white wine a no-brainer for creamy seafood dishes. Plus, its smooth finish means it's the perfect drink to cool down with on a summer evening.
And, who wouldn't love the adorable dog logo?
If you're going to grill meat, I recommend grabbing this Argentine blend.
From Argentina's Uco Valley region, the Alma de Uco Grand Assemblage malbec cabernet franc is the perfect red blend for just $10.
Earthy but with strong fruit flavors, its leather and peppercorn notes are both smooth and bold. It pairs nicely with any kind of grilled meat, including lamb.
This Pine Ridge white blend is perfect for nights when it's too hot to cook.
When the temperature hovers above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and pasta salad is the only acceptable choice for dinner, this $12 Pine Ridge blend of chenin blanc and viognier is exactly what you need.
I think the floral, melon, and pear aromas entice, while the pineapple, chamomile and slight honey flavors keep people sipping.
For an easy-to-drink red, grab this Duvergey-Taboureau Bourgogne pinot noir.
Château Le Grand Faurie is a Bordeaux red blend that's good now, and even better later.
If you love a red blend, I have great news for you: Bordeaux, France, just might make the best.
This bottle includes merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, and cabernet sauvignon, meaning there's hints of blackcurrant, plum, leather, oak, and cloves.
I love this one decanted because Bordeaux wines are known to age exceptionally well. At just $20, I bought another six bottles to hold onto and enjoy later.
For a rosé, I suggest a bottle of Trader Joe's Bandol.
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They started with Birdies and Bubbles (fried chicken and a glass of sparkling wine for $20) and became one of the first — and cheapest — steak frites values when Unwin(e)d Wednesday launched, which is paired with a glass of CVNE Cune Crianza Rosa for just $20. Since then, it's become a crowd favorite, executive chef Mark Alba says. 'We take it to the next level by hand-cutting and oil-blanching fresh potatoes so that their taste has no comparison to frozen. We serve the [8-ounce] steak with fresh chimichurri and veal demiglace that takes 48 hours to complete under constant supervision.' One of the buzziest new spots in Atlanta is also among the biggest bargains for steak frites specials. Prices vary by cut, but you can score a coulotte or hanger steak on a Saturday or Sunday for as little as $25 until sold out — keep an eye on their Instagram for each week's details. It's part of the strategy to 'drive additional business during lunch and pre-dinner hours on the weekends … to keep neighbors engaged and more likely to stop in on a day they may not have planned to,' says a spokesperson for the team. 'Fries are made in-house like everything else except our sourdough,' which is brought in from Colette. Pair it with a $10 Tuxedo, the other half of the promo. An Italian restaurant may not be the most obvious pick for a steak frites deal, but chef-owner Kevin Maxey says, 'We wanted a way to entice diners to come out and celebrate at the beginning of the week' and jazz up Mondays, which 'are quieter for most restaurants' and typically industry nights. At $30 for a 10-ounce New York Strip topped with black peppercorn-marsala sauce, hand-cut fries, and half off select bottles of wine, it's certainly tempting. A casual, informal environment keeps the tone low-key and just right to reward you for making it through the toughest day of the week. All-you-can-eat ribeyes and fries are well worth a drive out to Milton, especially for $49 a person, inclusive of a baguette, choice of salad, and fancy French dinner vibes. It's a gamble, especially with a primary cut on the table, but 'we think that we have an edge with offering a full menu for people who may want something else, such as our Classic Consomme a l'Oignon, Sole Meuniere, Boeuf Bourguignon and more,' the co-owners tell Eater. Additionally, they say, it's a great introduction for a new demographic looking for a favorite French spot, as they're excited to welcome younger couples and become that generation's go-to. 'I've always loved hyper-focused menus that offer one thing done really well. L'Entrecote, a concept from Paris, has always been on my mind, and steak and fries are one of my favorite things to eat,' Ford Fry says. 'With the Bar Blanc space' — upstairs from Little Sparrow — 'as small as it is, I knew we needed to keep it simple, and this classic French concept just fit perfectly.' The $49.95 per person price tag for crusty sourdough, a simple green salad, a 7-ounce Prime New York Strip from Creekstone Farms, and endless decadent, hand-cut beef tallow-fried Belgian frites keep these seats in high demand. For $20 more, guests can upgrade to an 8-ounce American Wagyu strip from Chatel Farms. Fancy a more traditional prix fixe and a little flexibility around your steak frites night out? This Sandy Springs restaurant offers three courses, including a steak frites main option for $53, Mondays through Thursdays. That second course is pepper-crusted and comes with green beans and fries, but three other entree choices are also available. Your choice of four select appetizers and three traditional desserts are also included in the bill of fare. Steak Frites Fixtures In addition to these specials, there are several restaurants across Atlanta that keep full steak frites dinners on their everyday menu. At Steak & Grace, you can get an 8-ounce hanger steak with demi-glace sauce and herb and cheese fries for under $30. The one at the new Brasserie Margot in the Four Seasons offers a 7-ounce flat iron steak with sauce Perigueux for $35. Bistro Niko offers two options: hanger with bearnaise for $37 or a 14-ounce Prime ribeye for $52. Oak Steakhouse's 5-ounce cut also comes with bearnaise, plus truffle fries for $32. Swap the sauce for bordelaise at Kevin Rathburn Steak for $40 or Painted Park, for a 6-ounce hanger with hand-cut fries for the same. If you prefer au poivre, Anis Bistro does it with a baby green salad for $38; The Woodall swaps that for French green beans for $53. For something green but a little different, Tiny Lou's 13-ounce New York strip with ramp chimichurri and watercress is $55. A version with salsa verde is available for $49 at The Betty, and for $48, you can get a 12-ounce New York strip with tomatillo and chili morita, shoestring fries, and woodland mushrooms at Reverence at the Epicurean Hotel as part of their revamped menu. Eater Atlanta All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
