There are certain truths about living near NYC. Everyone is in a hurry. Everything is expensive. And you have the world at your fingertips. Except buying wine and liquor at the grocery store.
Wine and alcohol at Trader Joe's
If looking at the Fearless Flyer from time to time has taught me anything, it's that some stores get things we are simply not allowed to have.
Now, before you call me out saying there is a Trader Joe's Wine Store in NYC, there is. It just sells wine. I've never been to it. Because of the amount of wine I'd want to carry out I'd need my car. And parking in NYC is a pain.
So when my sister needed a ride to Newark airport in New Jersey, the wheels in my head started turning.
I can buy wine and liquor. I've already paid the $15 toll to get there.
Yes, you read that right the George Washington Bridge is $15 to cross. Everything in New York is expensive. I wasn't about to waste a trip over the bridge. So I found myself at the Westfield, New Jersey location where they sell both wine and liquor.
Oh, the joy.
And full cart that ensued.
And the two bells that rang.
Apparently, an out-of-state driver's license gets two bells at Trader Joe's FYI. My mom was standing behind me and gently told the cashier, "I'll vouch for her."
True story.
Tasting
So on to the cans, each can is about the size of a glass of wine. It's fizzy, not too sweet. Some bubbles but nothing too crazy.
It won't win any medals but had a decent wine spritzer taste to it. It's not for everyone, but it is portable for bringing this wherever you are planning on bringing it.
Would I reach for this over a good bottle of wine? No. As something light and refreshing it was decent enough.
It doesn't quite top my favorite canned wine either- Friends Fun Wine Sangria. But at the price point, there isn't much competition either. Even my beloved Friends Fun Wine is about $2 a can. I paid $4.99 for a four-pack of cans which are about the same size as a regular size bottle of wine.
Overall
This was drinkable, but might be improved with the addition of some fruit juice or puree.
Wine prices do vary because of local laws which may tax this product differently depending on the state you purchase them.
Would I buy this again? While this is a cheap treat, I don't think I'll be buying Trader Joe's Simpler Wines White again. That doesn't mean I'm not open to trying other varieties. It's not terrible, but I'd pay a couple more dollars for it to be really good.
Product photos
The box of Trader Joe's Simpler Wines White Italian Sparkling Wine:
The information on the package:
The rest of the information:
Out of the can you get a pale white wine with some fizziness but not a ton of bubbles:
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Simpler Wines White Italian Sparkling Wine
Product Name: Trader Joe's Simpler Wines White Italian Sparkling Wine
Product Description: Trader Joe's Simpler Wines White Italian Sparkling Wine is a mediocre wine in a can.
Price: $4.99
Currency: USD
Availability: InStoreOnly
Summary
Trader Joe's Simpler Wines White Italian Sparkling Wine is very basic passable wine.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Trader Joe's Simpler Wines White Italian Sparkling Wine is a decent white wine that comes in a very portable can.
Cons
- Not sold everywhere due to local laws. Like where I live.
Alek says
I did not know that u are from NY/NJ area! I am from NYC! AWESOME! For the wine I can see it used in recipes when you don't want to commit the whole bottle but just a cup of wine.
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! Yes I am. I'm natively from Queens and have moved "upstate" to Westchester. I don't ever consider it upstate, but I know some of my Long Island friends consider it upstate. And yes, I have 3 TJs within driving distance. Have you been to the Trader Joe's Wine store in NYC? I've never made my way down there.
Catherine of VegCharlotte says
I love your reviews. Seems so odd you cannot buy wine or beer at the local grocery.
becomebetty says
Hey Catherine! Thanks so very much for your kind words. And yes, it is really the weirdest thing. We still have some Prohibition Era Blue Laws on the books. For me its weird to see wine and beer at the grocery store. I had no idea it was the norm in some places. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Alek says
I have! On occasion I would go there just look at the wines but not to buy. Which part of Queens did you grow up? Mine is near the Mets stadium.
becomebetty says
My hometown is part of Flushing and I went to Townsend Harris HS.
Ttrockwood says
Omfg, I’m in manhattan- don’t even get me started on the stupid laws here!! And btw i hate beer, so I can’t pick up something at the grocery store or even the bodega :/
I looooovvveee the TJs wine shop in union square! However... then there’s a matter of getting it home somehow- their delivery fees are somehow really expensive, and I live far enough it’s also expensive to get a car. Anyways, i have a few favorites so on the rare occasion i go i buy several bottles and just pack them carefully in my backpack to schlep home.
I tried their canned rose and- ehh. Probably best as a spritzer with a splash of juice or as your third drink of the night 😉
becomebetty says
Hey Ttrockwood! I'm in Westchester now and yes, I've thought about going to the one in NYC and I had the exact same problem. I know I'm not walking out of there with a bottle (or bag) or two. I literally dropped $100 at the store in Westfield, NJ to not have that issue. I'd have to take Metro North and that is so not fun with lots of bags plus getting to Grand Central. I'm literally drinking the canned rose and OMG yes oh the meh side too. I'll have to think about making some type of frose with these. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!
Dag says
I grew up and lived on the East Coast Maryland to be exact for most of my life. Beer wine and liquor were only sold in liquor stores for the most part . And then moved out to California where every grocery store and every drug store had beer and wine. It took me awhile to get used to that. And now I've lived in Seattle for quite a number of years. When I first got here beer, wine and liquor were only sold in liquor stores although you could get some wine and beer in convenience stores. Now we have all of that in all of the drug stores and grocery stores. However it's a lot more expensive because of all the taxes attached to it now that it's sold in grocery and drug stores. Liquor laws are just so confusing lol
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! Thanks so much for adding this. I've only lived in NY and it so fascinating to see the patchwork of laws in this country regarding alcohol. Every place is so different and Trader Joe's even mentions the price variation on their website. Don't even get me started on when they amended things to allow for Sunday brunch. Thanks so much for adding this, you've clearly lived in quite a few places and can speak to this.
Kait says
Full of artificial sweeteners. Immediate result: insomnia. Long-term result, cancer (maybe). Worth it? H**l no.
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kait!