If you‘re a wine lover on a budget, Trader Joe‘s should be your go-to destination. This beloved grocery chain is known for its fantastic selection of high-quality, affordable wines from around the world. In fact, Trader Joe‘s is now the largest wine retailer in the United States, with over 530 stores across 42 states.
So what makes Trader Joe‘s wine section so special? According to Matt Sloan, the company‘s Vice President of Marketing, Product, and Packaging, it all comes down to the unique buying strategy. "We travel the world looking for great values in wine," he explains. "And then we work to develop relationships with the producers and negotiate the very best prices."
This approach allows Trader Joe‘s to offer an impressive range of wines at competitive prices. A whopping 80% of the selection is priced at $9.99 or less, with dozens of great bottles available for under $6. "The wine section in our stores is really one of the best places to find quality wines at great prices," says Sloan.
| Trader Joe‘s Wine by the Numbers |
|---|
| 530+ stores nationwide |
| 28+ million bottles sold in 2020 |
| 80% of wines priced $9.99 or less |
| 40+ wines priced under $6 |
One standout in the Trader Joe‘s wine aisle is La Finca Malbec, an Argentine red that consistently overdelivers for the price. At just $5.99 a bottle, it‘s the perfect weeknight wine—and I‘m not the only one who thinks so. La Finca Malbec has amassed a cult following among savvy shoppers and earned praise from wine critics for its unbeatable value.
As a wine enthusiast and longtime Trader Joe‘s shopper myself, I‘ve tried countless bottles from the store over the years. And I keep coming back to La Finca Malbec time and again. It‘s my pick for an easy-drinking red to pair with everything from takeout burgers to homemade chili.
So what makes this particular Malbec so appealing? According to the tasting notes, La Finca Malbec features "ripe plum and blackberry flavors with a touch of black pepper." On the palate, it‘s medium-bodied and silky smooth, with soft tannins and a juicy acidity that makes it extremely food-friendly.
This flavor profile is characteristic of Argentine Malbec in general. The grape thrives in the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza, where intense sunlight and cool nighttime temperatures allow it to develop rich, concentrated fruit flavors balanced by refreshing acidity.
What sets La Finca apart is that it manages to capture this classic Malbec character at an incredibly affordable price point. Winemaker Bernardo Bossi Bonilla sources grapes from nearly 500 family-owned vineyards in the Uco Valley and Lujan de Cuyo subregions, relying on traditional techniques and minimal intervention.
The vines range from 30-50 years old on average, with some up to 100 years old, planted at elevations between 2,600-4,200 feet. The extreme growing conditions stress the vines, resulting in lower yields but more concentrated flavors. Grapes are harvested by hand and undergo a 3-day cold maceration to extract color and fruit character, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks and aging in French oak barrels.
This meticulous process helps explain how La Finca can deliver such high quality for the price. "It‘s really a testament to the winemaker‘s skill and the incredible terroir of Mendoza," says Sloan. "We work hard to maintain strong relationships with our producers so we can keep these wines at everyday prices."
Indeed, La Finca Malbec is an amazing value compared to other Malbecs on the market. At wine.com, a comparable bottle like the Alamos Malbec costs $9.99—nearly 67% more than La Finca. And La Finca outshines many Malbecs in the $10-$15 range, like the popular Catena Malbec ($14.99).
When I reach for a bottle of La Finca Malbec, I know I‘m getting a crowd-pleasing wine that will pair well with a variety of foods. Argentine Malbec is a classic match for grilled meats, especially steak, as the bold berry flavors and hint of smoke complement the charred flavors of the grill.
But this versatile red also works beautifully with comfort foods from around the globe. It‘s my go-to for taco night, especially with grilled skirt steak or smoky peppers and onions. La Finca also pairs perfectly with Italian favorites like pizza and pasta, hearty stews, roasted vegetables, and more.
One of my favorite weeknight meals is a simple but satisfying pasta dish with Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, and orecchiette. The bitterness of the broccoli rabe and spice of the sausage are an ideal match for Malbec‘s juicy fruit and peppery undertones. And the medium-bodied texture of La Finca is just right—not too light or too heavy.
Another reason I love buying wine at Trader Joe‘s is the store‘s generous return policy. As long as you have your receipt, you can return bottles for a full refund—no questions asked, even if the wine has been opened. This takes the pressure off and allows you to experiment with new wines, knowing you can always bring back anything you don‘t enjoy.
Trader Joe‘s sells about 2.8 million bottles of wine per week, and according to company lore, it has a "two-buck chuck" standard. If a wine doesn‘t meet expectations at a particular price point—like the famous Charles Shaw line that originally sold for $1.99—it gets sent back. Anything that stays on the shelves is there because it has passed the quality test.
That said, I‘ve personally never had to return a bottle of La Finca Malbec. It‘s one of the most reliable wines in the store, delivering the same delightful drinking experience year in and year out. In fact, I often recommend it to friends who are just getting into wine and looking for an inexpensive bottle to enjoy with weeknight dinners.
If you‘re new to Argentine Malbec or looking to branch out from your go-to reds, La Finca is the perfect gateway bottle. It offers an authentic taste of the grape‘s signature plush fruit and spice notes without veering into jammy or heavy territory.
Once you‘ve tried La Finca, you may want to explore some of the other Malbec offerings at Trader Joe‘s. The store usually carries a few different options from Argentina, typically retailing between $8-15. While these pricier Malbecs may offer more concentration and complexity, I find that La Finca really hits the sweet spot in terms of flavor and value.
Of course, Malbec is just one of the many delicious red wines you‘ll find in Trader Joe‘s impressive lineup. Other standouts include:
- Black Mountain Pinot Noir ($6.99) – Bright red cherry, raspberry and earthy notes
- Crucero Cabernet Sauvignon ($7.99) – Lush cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate, silky texture
- Tribunal Red Wine North Coast California ($9.99) – Blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, bold and balanced
On the white wine front, some of my go-to bottles are:
- Espiral Vinho Verde ($4.49) – Crisp and clean, with green apple, lemon-lime and slight effervescence
- Floriana Grüner Veltliner ($5.99) – Honey, white pepper, stone fruit, medium-bodied
- Marqués de Alella Albariño ($7.99) – Citrus, peach, mineral notes, refreshing acidity
Part of the fun of shopping for wine at Trader Joe‘s is discovering your own unique favorites through trial and error. With prices this low, you can afford to take a chance on an unfamiliar grape, region, or producer.
"We‘re always looking for those hidden gems—wines that taste like they should cost a lot more than they do," says Sloan. "Our team is really passionate about finding great juice at great prices and sharing those discoveries with our customers."
While some critics argue that Trader Joe‘s non-traditional sourcing model sacrifices a sense of place for the sake of value, there‘s no denying the quality in the bottle. By focusing on flavor profile rather than appellation, the store can offer a diverse array of wines that deliver pleasure at every price point.
The other advantage of Trader Joe‘s carefully curated selection is that it takes some of the guesswork out of buying wine. You don‘t have to wade through hundreds of options or decipher cryptic labels. Each bottle is hand-picked by the Trader Joe‘s tasting panel, so you can trust that anything on the shelf is at least a solid representation of its category.
In the case of La Finca Malbec, it‘s much more than solid—it‘s a truly exceptional wine for the price. This is the bottle I keep on hand for last-minute gatherings or impromptu pizza nights. It‘s a crowd-pleaser that pairs effortlessly with a wide range of foods and occasions.
So next time you‘re stocking up at Trader Joe‘s, be sure to swing by the wine aisle and pick up a bottle (or case) of La Finca Malbec. At just $5.99 a pop, you can afford to pour generously and keep your glass filled all year long. Cheers!
