The hot summer days are upon us, and after a long day of socially acceptable daytime hydration, there’s nothing better than enjoying a crisp, chilled-to-perfection white wine in the comfort of your own backyard. Though I love perusing the aisles of my local wine store for a new wine and a good deal, it is nice to rely on a go-to wine that never disappoints and doesn’t break the bank. I’m nervous about inexpensive wines but I have proof that you don’t always have to spend a fortune to enjoy a good white wine, and that wine is from Trader Joe’s! Let’s ponder…
Through the years of pondering wine, I’ve mentioned quite a few deals featuring wine from Trader Joe’s, and Espiral Vinho Verde is definitely part of that list. I’ve been buying this Trader Joe’s exclusive wine ever since I first found it in 2018 when shopping for a good cheap white wine for a recipe. Not only was it perfect for the dish I was cooking, it was surprisingly enjoyable to drink.
Now, if you shop at TJ’s on a regular basis, you know that certain items tend to disappear from time to time. So to avoid finding myself in that rather unfortunate situation, I stock up! Since I never know when it might be sold out, I always keep 4 to 5 bottles of this wine in my wine cellar at any given time.
What Is Vinho Verde?
The super-value wine comes from a small region in Northern Portugal known for its lush, green landscape. Named after the area’s vegetation, Vinho Verde is made from a blend of lesser-known white grape varieties, including Alvarinho, Arinto, Azal, Avesso, Loureiro, and Trajadura. The vast majority of Vinho Verde wines are white, but reds and rosés are also produced regularly. Vinho Verde is light and bright, mostly dry, with notes of fresh lemonade, gooseberry, white melon, lime blossom, and hints of grapefruit. They pair nicely with crunchy salads, fish tacos, sushi, and picnics! These wines are loved for their zippy acidity, subtle carbonation, and lower alcohol content – making them a great choice for summer.
When you dig into Vinho Verde, you’ll realize this seemingly cheap, fizzy wine is something truly special.
What’s All The Fizz About?
Though most Vinho Verde today is artificially (lightly) carbonated, back in the day, the carbonation happened when winemakers bottled the wine so quickly that the fermentation would finish in the bottle. Most winemakers tend to shy away from carbonation in wine to avoid the potential misconception of bad winemaking. That said, the intentional choice made by Vinho Verde producers makes the wine that much more special.
Why I Like Trader Joe’s Espiral Vinho Verde
Espiral is a refreshingly crisp white wine easily enjoyed during the hot summer months. It’s unpretentious and drinks easily. Though it has high pairing potential, it can be savored by itself, or dressed up in wine cocktails. And with a whopping $4.99 price tag, you don’t have to wait for a special occasion. In fact, you probably wouldn’t want to open it for a special occasion. That’s just NOT that kind of wine. Keep in mind that the only reason I bought this wine in the first place was for cooking purposes. The fact that the wine was actually enjoyable made it a much better deal.
I like having it on hand for a last-minute get-together with friends. Put out a few appetizers, a charcuterie board, along with some hard cheese (preferably from Spain like Manchego, Quezo, or Roncal) and you’re ready to host a happy hour that your friends will talk about for weeks. Oh, and it’s low in alcohol – the Espiral Vinho Verde is only 9% ABV – so it’s great to drink in hot weather without the risk of feeling like the “lightweight” of the party. Which means you can drink more of it!
How I Drink This Wine From Trader Joe’s
To be enjoyed properly, Espiral has to be around 50º Fahrenheit (about 10º Celsius). I enjoy it as is or mixed… As aforementioned, Espiral is a crisp white wine with a hint of effervescence. This makes it the perfect contender for a summer wine spritzer cocktail. Pour 1 ounce of elderflower cordial into a wine glass, followed by 4 ounces of wine. Top it off with a little bit of club soda if you like it extra fizzy. Garnish the wine with a lime wheel of two. Give it a gentle stir, and voilà!
As satisfying as this may be, Espiral wins the gold medal for being one of the most versatile wines in wine cocktails. Simply replace the sparkling or still wine in any of these recipes or craft your own cocktail with it.
Cooking With This Seemingly Cheap White Wine
Every year for my birthday, I cook a large paella and invite about 20 to 30 people, close friends and family members. My first wood-fire paella was in 2018 and it quickly became a sought-after tradition due to popular request. The recipe calls for a crisp white wine from the Vinho Verde region of Northern Portugal. After a swift and successful Google search, I was on my way to my local Trader Joe’s store to buy a few bottles of Espiral Vinho Verde. Naturally, I tried the wine before using it in my paella. It was surprisingly good!! I’ve been buying it ever since.
And now, this…
The Controversial Truth About Cheap Wines
Just a few weeks ago, I was having dinner with a sommelier whose name shall remain unspoken. He works for a large high-end American hotel chain and travels the world in search of new wines. Yes, we all feel terrible for him. We had a very interesting conversation that led to this statement: “Most U.S. wines are produced to please the consumer. They are too commercial and far from anything special.” Later in our gabfest, he went on to say: “For a really good bottle, one must spend at least $40. Anything less, and you’re buying a low-quality wine.” Though he might have a point (sadly), I don’t think his theory applies to old-world wines. We’ll dive deeper into that topic in another wine-pondering story.
So what does that say about Espiral Vinho Verde? Well, it isn’t the most-talked-about award-winning wine, but it is enjoyable nonetheless. Furthermore, being from Portugal, it falls outside our sommelier’s speculation. Now, you probably don’t want to pair it with a great meal or open it for a special occasion. However, it is perfect for a lazy day by the pool or a cozy summer evening gazing at the stars. And if you decide to make a paella, that is the wine you’ll want to use without a doubt. Make sure to let me know how it goes ;)
Cheers!