by Ellen Andre

The wines highlighted here are from Trader Joe’s.  To my surprise they were all quite good.  The Nashua store carries a variety of wines from many countries including Italy, France, Spain, Australia, US, South Africa and more.   We are not talking about the infamous “Two Buck Chuck” here but higher quality, limited quantity finds.  If you find something you like, you should return and buy more because often you won’t see it again.

Here are a few worth trying:

House of Mandela, Sauvignon Blanc – South Africa

-Hints of tropical fruit, fragrant lemongrass and a zingy finish.

This is a summery wine to enjoy by itself or with food such as light cheeses, seafood and salads.

Bois de Menge Gigondas, Red Blend – France

-Consists of Grenache and Syrah grapes with a smooth, bold flavor.  A bit of spiciness, dry and a medium finish.

Terrific with heartier foods, grilled meats and vegetables.

Epicuro, Aglianico – Italy

-Unique varietal called Aglianico from Puglia area.  Aglianico grapes grow in mountainous, volcanic areas.  Notes of blackberry, cherry, light spice.  Delicious with meats, ham and aged cheeses.

Javier San Pedro, Tempranillo – Spain

-This wine is 100% tempranillo from the Rioja region.  It is aged 12 months in new American oak barrels and French oak.  Hints of cassis and cherry… complements well with steaks, burgers and other meats.

Often with less expensive wines you’ll find they give you a headache because of added sulfites (think Barefoot and Yellow Tail).  Not so with most imported wines.

Always remember to drink a glass of water for every glass of wine.  Staying hydrated will alleviate a hangover (or you could drink less, but who does that?).

Hopefully you will enjoy these wines and take a chance on some new ones.  At this under $20 price, you can’t beat it.

Cheers to Summer!