Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart / Josh Cellars / Total Wine
Have we tried every single grocery store wine in order to determine the best grocery store wine? No. Our doctors simply won’t let us. But we’ve certainly tasted a lot of grocery store wine. We’ve ranked grocery store staple brands Franzia and Josh. We’ve ranked Trader Joe’s boxed wine. We’ve ranked budget Aldi wine. And we’ve ranked multiple varieties of canned wine—a grocery store wine go-to.
So, when we say that these are the very best grocery store wines, you can trust us.
While we highly recommend you browse through the full rankings of all the good grocery store wine we’ve written, this article is a good place to start. In it, we’ll highlight all the winners from all of our grocery store wine rankings. So, if you only want the best of the best supermarket wine, read on.
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You’re going to see a lot of red wine on this list of the best grocery store wines. It’s a bit more forgiving and therefore it’s easier to find good grocery store red wine. But if you really want white, then this canned Pinot Gris is the best grocery store wine for you. It’s super crisp and citrusy. It’s not too light, but it’s not too heavy, either. It’s zestier than a lot of Pinot Grigios, but softer than a Sauvignon Blanc. And, since it comes in a can, it’s great for al fresco enjoyment. Read the full ranking of the best canned wine
If you’d prefer to sip a red wine in nature, then toss a few cans of this Pinot Noir into your bag. It’s a little minerally with a fruity, cherry backbone. You can drink it at room temperature, but it’s also great with a bit of a chill. Pack a few cans in a cooler when you head to the beach.
Good grocery store wine is hard enough to find, let alone a good grocery store Pinot Noir—especially a cheap one. But Aldi did it! This light and berry-rich Pinot Noir is zippy and even a little herbaceous. And it costs less than $6 per bottle! If you’re looking for the best grocery store wine, chances are you’re also looking for a good cheap wine, too. Head to Aldi.
Big, bold, and oaky, Franzia Dark Red Blend is the best grocery store wine in a box to plonk down on the counter and dip into at the end of the day. As the box suggests, it’s a really good supermarket wine to pair with a slice of chocolate cake, though it would be an equally good match for a bowl of chili or a big, juicy steak.
We tasted all the boxed wine at Trader Joe’s and this extremely drinkable Cabernet Sauvignon took the top spot. It’s shockingly light for a Cabernet, but it’s still complex enough to keep you coming back for another sip. And it’s just a touch on the sweet end, which makes it exceedingly gulpable. If you do your grocery shopping at TJ’s, then this is the best grocery store wine for you.
Josh Wines became a bit of a meme, simply because the idea of a wine named Josh tickled people. But the wines are pretty darn good. They’re a solid choice for a good grocery store wine if you’re willing to shell out nearly $20 for a bottle. Josh’s North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon is well-worth the extra scratch. It tastes like berries and smoke and sage. It’s bold enough for meaty dishes, but easy going enough to enjoy on its own, too.
The best grocery store wine is there for you when you need a celebratory beverage in a pinch. Snag a few cans of this sparkling wine for a birthday in the park, easy brunch beverages, or sipping with dinner. It’s lemony and spritzy and such a crowd pleaser. It’s no expensive Champagne, but it’s damn good supermarket wine.
Justine Sterling is the editor-in-chief of Sporked. She has been writing about food and beverages for well over a decade and is an avid at-home cook and snacker. Don’t worry, she’s not a food snob. Sure, she loves a fresh-shucked oyster. But she also will leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases and loves a Tostitos Hint of Lime, even if there is no actual lime in the ingredients.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!