Trader Joe’s takes a lot of big swings, especially when it comes to seasonal items. But Pumpkin Spice Chardonnay is the biggest swing I’ve seen them take so far. Pumpkin spice cider? Sure! But wine? That’s a new one.
I’ve had my eye on this release ever since I heard about it, so I was thrilled to find a bottle at my local Trader Joe’s. Like many other Trader Joe’s wines, it’s well under $10 (it was $6.99 when I purchased it). And in my opinion that’s an okay amount to gamble on a seasonal novelty. Should you take the plunge? Read on for the full review of this oenophilic oddity.
If you are a wine snob or a Chardonnay purist or even just someone who is really only interested in wine that tastes like wine, this is not for you. However, if you are interested in a sippable sweet treat with some fall flavor, then you might want to pick up a bottle.
Pros: This Trader Joe’s wine smells like walking into a cidery gift shop in the fall. It smells like apples and cinnamon brooms and candles. And It tastes like something you might buy at a cidery, too. It tastes like spiced apple juice. And when I say apple juice I don’t mean cider. I mean clear, sweet apple juice—the stuff you drank out of the box as a kid. But here’s the thing: Spiced apple juice tastes good. It’s bright and fruity and zippy and it happens to also be boozy (it’s about 7% ABV, which is lower than most wine but higher than most ciders). And, though I haven’t tried it, I bet it’d be pretty good warmed up, too.
Cons: It really doesn’t taste like Chardonnay at all. It doesn’t taste like any kind of wine at all. The label states that it was made by a wine company in California. It says it is made with Chardonnay and Chardonnay grape juice and natural flavors. But it’s hard to believe no apples were harmed in the making of this wine. If you want wine, stick with Charles Shaw. If you’re interested in tasting something fun and new while you carve your pumpkins, give this a shot.
Hi! I’m the editor-in-chief of Sporked. I will never turn down a fresh-shucked oyster but I’ll also leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases and I love a Tostitos Hint of Lime, even if there is no actual lime in the ingredients.
Why you should trust me: I have been writing about food and beverages for well over a decade and am an avid at-home cook and snacker. I began my career writing about fine dining and recipes, moved into cocktails and spirits, and now I talk about groceries. If you can eat it or drink it, I’ve probably written about it.
What I buy every week: Trader Joe’s dried okra. Appleton Farms prosciutto from Aldi. Some sort of Trader Joe’s cheese (I’m into the aged gouda at the moment). Frozen waffles (usually the Eggo Cinnamon Toast Minis). Spindrift water (loving the Cosmopolitan right now).
Favorite ranking: Smoked salmon. Imagine me as Scrooge McDuck but instead of coins I’m diving into a vault of slippery smoked salmon slices. Pure joy. I also found some real steals in that taste test!
Least favorite ranking: Canned oysters. I had such high hopes for this but it quickly became a chore. The kitchen smelled like an uncleaned aquarium.
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