Trader Joe's wines....wow

[wallycat]

Those of you lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe's...boy I envy you! DH and I went to a motorcycle show Feb. 9th and I made him stop at a Trader Joe's. I zipped through their wine dept., small as it was (Arlington heights) and picked up some very inexpensive wine as I passed through. Wouldn't you know it, I LOVED THEIR WINE. How can they sell this stuff so cheap and it be so good. I spent the last 2 days phoning the wine shops in my area...no luck. I know Trader Joe's states that their inventory changes weekly....boy, I sure wish I had these 2 bottles...:( :(

anyone else have such good luck with their wines???
(only thing I didn't like was how PACKED it was, but it was a Saturday) :D

[HRJ]

We have a Trader Joe's right here in my town -- within an easy walk of my house, actually -- but, this TJ's can't sell wine, since the town is "semi-dry" (restaurants can offer beer and wine, but the local liquor laws prohibit package sales, liquor stores and bars). From what I understand, it used to be totally dry.

Considering that, I'm surprised TJ's set up shop here, since their wine selection seems to be such a draw.

I'm not a big wine drinker, but it would be nice to be able to pick up the occasional bottle at TJ's, at least for when we're having company.

Helene

[KathrynY]

I am jealous! My closest TJ's doesn't have a wine section at all!! :mad: I'll have to try the next-closest stores (both at least an hour away) to see what they have to offer.

P.S. Wallycat - how are you and DH riding your motorcycle now?! It's way too cold here to think about it (40s) - we'd have icicles hanging from our noses if we rode off in this weather, even with our full-face helmets!

Looking forward to spring.... :).

[wallycat]

KathrynY --no trips till it warms up. We almost left for Daytona races (DH is a race fan--aren't I lucky?:D) but Monday winter will finally arrive!!!--should hit 20's!!!

Planning a few trips later though....blue-ridge mountains, maybe Carolina coast, then Oregon and Washington to see if we like the west coast to be our "new home" and possibly England and The Isle of Man....now that DH is retired, he loves pouring over his maps and planning and replanning....

[KathrynY]

wallycat - if you end up taking a trip through the Blue Ridge please let me know. Both my family and DH's are in the foothillls of the Blue Ridge in VA and I'd be happy to send along travel and lodging recommendations if I can be of any help. :)

[eas11]

I don't know about laws in other states, but they sure are strange here in MA! Even if Arlington was not a dry town TJ's would not be able to sell wine there. Thats because of a rule that a retailer can only have a certain # of outlets that carry beer/wine (I think it my be 3?). The Brookline, Framingham and Cambridge TJ's I think all have wine so the quota is met :( Roche Bros and Stop & Shop are in the same boat. Only a couple of the stores carry. Stupid law.
Ellyn

[Missi]

We have a Trader Joe's that is 1 1/2 hours away, but we go there every couple months and stock up. We started a wine log of the wines from there because we would buy so many and then forget which we liked and which we didn't care for. Their inventory changes but some of the wines stay the same. The French style wines under the name Trader Joe's are good and inexpensive. We served them for our housewarming party.

I have a friend from here that says he and his wife travel down to Trader Joes, buy a few wines, sit in the parking lot and open them. If they like them they go back in and buy a few more bottles of that kind. I guess that's one way to make sure you are buying what you like ;) !!

[Molli526]

You guys are just going to get me into trouble ;). I get to stop at Trader Joes in a couple of weeks. I didn't know they sold wine! My, my, my. What timing. My rack is getting empty. I guess the only good thing is that DH won't be home when I get back from my meeting so he won't see my bringing all of this in! :eek:

[Wendy w]

Originally posted by KathrynY
I am jealous! My closest TJ's doesn't have a wine section at all!! :mad: I'll have to try the next-closest stores (both at least an hour away) to see what they have to offer.
Looking forward to spring.... :).

:eek: :eek: :eek: A TJ's without wine???? I have never heard of such a thing. I'm really sorry, Kathryn.:(

I'm not as knowledgable about wines as many of you are but I have always enjoyed them and even though they change their wine stock frequently, you can still find some of the wines on a regular basis. My sister had a red French table wine (can't remember the name) that they carry. It was extremely inexpensive and very good.

Have fun, Molli and may your DH not start divorce proceedings if he catches you with the wine.;)

[Curleytop]

Ok, drool with envy! :D I have 4 Tj's with 1/2 hour driving time.
The closest one is about 15 min. away. I have been buying their Chilean Wine for a few years, @2.99 per bottle. We like the Chardoney, Merlot and Cabernet, the Brand is "San Andre's".
If we try one of the el cheapy ones, and we don't care for it, I usually use it for cooking. This particular brand has been very successful here in So.Cal.

[Molli526]

Originally posted by Curleytop
I have been buying their Chilean Wine for a few years, @2.99 per bottle.

Are you for real?????? :eek:

Oh boy :rolleyes: :D :o :eek: :cool:

[Nancy171]

TJ's and a Santa Rosa store (Bottle Barn for those who may live in No. Cal.) get 100% of my wine business now. I used to buy from the grocery store and the chain Beverages and More (which I fell in love with when I moved here from liquor-unfriendly NY). However, you can't beat the TJ under $5 wines. Sure, some of them aren't so great, but for $3.99 I'll take a chance :D . Fortunately, there are two TJ's in town, with many more in the outlying suburbs.

[Wendy w]

Originally posted by Molli526


Are you for real?????? :eek:

Oh boy :rolleyes: :D :o :eek: :cool:

She is. I've tried them too. Although I will go up in price to $15.00 for special occasions.