Tag Archives: Trader Joe’s

Skank Wine of the Month | Wine Reviews

Sauvignon Republic

Cost: Average price $9

Where buy now: Trader Joe’s for $7.99

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough County, New Zealand

Vintage: 2011

Sauvignon Republic

Since Summer technically doesn’t end until late September, you need to keep stocking up on what I refer to as “patio white wines”. Well, “need” is a strong word. That said, I shan’t be corrected: you need to keep buying more white wines.

When I’m not chugging down Tinchos http://bit.ly/OSIDwK/New Age The Savvy Lush Review my go to white is Sauvignon Blanc. For my taste and for ease of purchase, it is what I gravitate toward.

In saying that, I know several of you like the Kim Crawford Marlborough County Sauvignon Blanc http://bit.ly/OJlhYz/Kim Crawford The Savvy Lush Review

. As you can see/read, I enjoy it, too. BUT, if you cannot get it on sale or over at Costco (where it’s currently $12.99), I have the next best thing and it’s right in your local Trader Joe’s.

Let me introduce you to Sauvignon Republic, a Marlborough County Sauvignon Blanc. It’s fruity, it’s citrusy it’s crisp and delicious without being too light or too heavy. A nice, versatile wine that pairs as easily as it sips. I was stunned at how great it tasted. I was even more stunned that it only set me back $7.99!

Since this Republic gem makes me feel as if I’m getting away with something, I deem this the “Savvy Lush Skank”. Go ‘head- drink a bottle and pinch yourself. Enough said.

Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

Archeo Nero d’Avola

Cost: Average price $5

Where buy now: Trader Joe’s for $4.99

Grapes: Nero d’Avola

Region: Sicily, Italy

Vintage: 2010

Archeo Nero d’Avola

Archeo Nero d’Avola “Neh-roe DAH-voe-lah” by Ruggero di Tasso is a delightful wine that hails from Sicily. Like the dark-black grapes this wine is named after, they have been blasted by the Southern Mediterranean heat providing the wine with a deep, rich crimson hue. It is a fuller bodied wine with lots of juicy flavor. It tastes of black cherry, raspberry and a teensy-bit of sweet baking spices and chocolate to round it out. The tannins are mild as was the acidity.

I know lots of folks love Cabernet, Syrah and Zinfandel, but dammit, give Nero d’Avola a chance!

As it’s a milder Nero d’Avola, this is the one I’d strongly suggest for the uninitiated. Also, it can hang with all three of those varietals, and I bet you’ll find as good [if not better] a bottle for much less dough. I love me some Cab and steak, so, substitute the Cab with Nero d’Avola, and that’s exactly how I enjoyed a home grilled porterhouse the other night.

Dining al fresco

Great thing is, this wine pairs well with grilled meats, but would also go really well with your Tuesday night frozen pizza.

If you’re already making the sojourn to Trader Joe’s (which, if you live near the St. Louis Park location, pack a lunch) to pick up the “Skank Wine of the Month” Primitivo, then grab a bottle of this Archeo Nero d’Avola. Make sure you get the Archeo priced at $4.99, not the Epicuro priced at $5.99! I just don’t care for the taste of the $6 Epicuro Nero d’Avola nearly as much as the $5 Archeo. I just asked a friend to pick up a few more bottles for me because, while my recent vacation was fun, MAN did it kill my vino budget! It’s simply not an option to run short on great, staple wines, now, is it?

Skank Wine of the Month | Wine Reviews

Grifone Primitivo

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Cost: Average price $5

Where buy now: Trader Joe’s for $3.99. ***2015 UPDATE now $4.99

Grapes: Primitivo

Region: Italy

Vintage: 2010

Grifone Primitivo

I truly was skeptical when I saw this Grifone Italian Primitivo at such a price point (insert infomercial joke here). I [stupidly] asked the sales clerk what he thought of it. (Ugh, remember when I did that with the Rosé and it turned out to be useless swill?) Well, in true TJ’s form, he said it was “really good for the price”. Great, thanks. Dare I plunk down $4 knowing I’ve had such stinkers from TJ’s as of late? Throw good booze money after bad? Well, “they cannot _all_ be stinkers” I thought, so I took the $4 gamble.

Primitivo is a grape that most similarly resembles the Zinfandel grape. Some even say that Zinfandel grapes are the same or born out of Primitivo grapes. Hell, check out the label, which says “Old Vine Zinfandel” right on the front. So, let the great debate continue! Either way, I say if you like one, you’re more than likely going to enjoy the other.

Also, like Zin, Primitivo is a great BBQ wine. This wine will fit in nicely with your weeknight hamburger and hot dog grilling plans or could pair with anything slathered in BBQ sauce.

“Anything, Savvy Lush?”

Well, anything you would slather BBQ sauce on in front of your grandmother, at least.

The taste of this Primitivo is fairly mild with notes of cherry and jammy spice. The nose isn’t anything special, and finish is rather fleeting but really, who cares?!? Easy drinking, smooth and pleasing, this is classic “Skank”. But, if you’re truly worried, make sure you have some dark chocolate on hand-never a bad idea.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It’s advertised as a limited selection so I’m telling y’all, get off yer arse and get yours ASAP.