My Favorite Affordable Pinot Noirs from the Supermarket
For the past few years, I have tested and tried many Pinot Noirs from the supermarkets in my area. I often share my favorites or new finds on Instagram stories which I also have saved on my highlights for reference. All of these red wines are available at stores like Safeway, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Sprouts. I will include where I have found each bottle in my area, but it may vary by location, and some may even be available at additional stores than the ones I have listed.
These are my 7 favorite and most purchased wines throughout the years, but aside from reading the label and tasting them countless times, I had never done extensive research on them until I began this blog post. I include a brief background on each along with what makes them special to me. I learned so much about each of the regions and various wine makers in the process. It was so cool seeing the similarities and differences with each bottle! Spoiler alert- one thing I learned is that I love Oregon wine because 4/7 of the wines on my list are from the state.
Each of these red wines are affordable, tasty, easy to drink, and have never let me down. The prices range from $12.99 - $15.99 before tax in my neighborhood. I typically go for balanced Pinot Noirs with a smooth and luxurious finish. If we have a similar taste palette, you may enjoy some of these as well! I recommend letting each of these wines breath for 10-15 minutes so that they can reach their full flavor profile potential before enjoying. Please remember to drink responsibly and at the legal age in your area!
Coppola Diamond Pinot Noir | Monterey County, California | Safeway
Coppola Pinot Noir is the most purchased wine on today’s list. In doing a little research on the winemakers, I learned that this fruit-forward and lush wine was released in 2001 before the style of grape gained the popularity it has today. The vineyard was initially dedicated to Merlot vines, however, after a few years the growers realized the cool climate and rich afternoon sunshine created the perfect growing atmosphere for Pinot Noir instead. Insider tip- I have also seen Coppola at Trader Joe’s, but the ones in my area only carry their white wine.
A to Z Pinot Noir | Oregon | Safeway and Trader Joe’s
A to Z Pinot Noir is available both at Safeway and Trader Joe’s. This Pinot Noir is bright with soft tannins. The flavor can be described as berry forward with undertones of chocolate and coffee. After looking on their site, I learned that A to Z Wineworks is a B Corporation which means that they are certified in meeting higher than average working standards. Aside from loving the way this wine tastes, I love that purchasing this wine supports a company that takes good care of their employees with benefits like 100% paid health care and carbon neutral shipping. Insider tip- it is less expensive at Trader Joe’s.
ERATH Pinot Noir | Williamette Valley, Orgeon | Safeway and Trader Joe’s
The Williamette Valley is often compared to France's Burgundy region due to its climate. Wines in this area are said to be more similar to the Burgundy region than their neighbor’s in California. The area is mostly cool with hot summers. This combination gives the grapes more time to develop and mature. The warmer summers in Oregon allow the grapes to have a more fruit forward approach and an easy finish with light tannins. Insider tip- similarly to the wine listed above, ERATH is also less expensive at Trader Joe’s compared to Safeway.
Cloudline Pinot Noir | Williamette Valley, Oregon | Trader Joe’s
Cloudline Pinot Noir is slightly more expensive than others on the list, but whenever I get it, each sip is a fruit forward, silky treat. The taste can be described as a berry forward with a long finish full of flavor. Similarly to ERATH, Cloudline is grown in the Willamette Valley in low-yield vineyards. I never realized how much I love Oregon Pinot Noirs until I wrote this blog post, lol!
Giesen Pinot Noir | Marlborough - Wairau Valley, New Zealand | Whole Foods
I first discovered Giesen when I purchased their white wine for a 4th of July picnic. At first, I did not know what to expect from the winemakers because I had never tried wine from New Zealand before. After a few sips, I quickly fell in love and was excited to try other options they had available. The Wairau Valley has cool and dry inlands that are moderated by coastal sites. The landscape allows for a consistently bright and smooth wine each year. Aside from being delicious, I also feel that it’s a great price point for a wine that is shipped into California from New Zealand.
Pacific Redwood Pinot Noir | Mendocino, California | Whole Foods and Sprouts
Prior to purchasing Pacific Redwood, I was not aware that wines were not always vegan! When a wine is not considered vegan, it is typically due to something in the process of creating it called fining. Fining agents can be found in a variety of animal based ingredients such as egg whites, gelatin, and fish bladder protein. In addition to being vegan, the wine is organic, made sustainably, and does not contain added sulfites. Sulfites occur naturally in wine, but some wine makers add additional sulfites as a preservative. It can be difficult for people with allergies and sensitivities to alcohol to drink high levels of sulfites, so this is also a good option for those that deal with redness and get headaches easily. The flavor profile is described bright and smooth with flavors of berry and spice.
Underwood Pinot Noir | Williamette and Umpqua Valley AVA Oregon | Safeway and Whole Foods
Suprise, suprise, the last wine on the list is also from Oregon. This wine has grapes that travel from both Williamette and Umpqua Valleys. Unique from all the others on the list, this Pinot Noir comes in bottle and can form. Generally, I prefer the bottle option, but cans are nice for parties and picnics, or if you don’t have a bottle opener handy. I would say that each can is equivalent to about 1.5 - 2 glasses of wine. This everyday red wine is rich and juicy with berry flavors and mild spice.
I had such a blast writing this blog post and learning more about my favorite Pinot Noirs. I hope you found the list insightful and that you get a chance to try a few of these!
What is your all-time favorite wine from the supermarket?
