Oh. Hi there, reader of this blog. I’m sorry for the absence. Although, judging by my site stats it’s not like you’ve been refreshing the page every day waiting for an update. What can I say… the holidays were a busy time. Travel. Work. Christmas Zoom Parties. Whatever. I’m not mad at you for not checking this blog every day. Ergo, you shouldn’t be mad at me for not posting every day. Week. Whatever. It’s fine.
Lucky for you though, I’ve popped in just in time to save your New Year’s Eve. For all you procrastinators, I waited in line today at Trader Joe’s just to tell you what’s good. In the rain, I might add. All for you!
If you’re anything like me, then you must be thinking that the last day of 2020 doesn’t deserve your best bubbly. But maybe you’re also superstitious and don’t want to welcome in 2021 with lousy festivities. Enter Trader Joe’s! And for those of you who like options, well… buckle in. Options galore! I usually hit up TJ’s for mimosa ingredients. The Blanc de Blanc is clutch for a mimosa or bellini, and Trader Joe’s has the best juice selection around. However, I don’t think I would drink the Blanc de Blanc, solo… it’s just special. It’s more the fizzy and functional variety, if you know what I mean (and it also broke my boyfriend’s kitchen light a long time ago, so uncork with caution).
Today I want to tackle two staples of the Trader Joe’s New Year’s Eve line up:
The Reserve Brut ($9.99) and the Platinum Reserve Brut ($14.99). Sure, neither are AWARD WINNING, but $5 is $5. So, in the name of both science and personal finance, I’m here for you.
First up – Trader Joe’s Reserve Brut, North Coast Sparkling Wine – Retails for $9.99
“A Blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier from the North Coast of California”
I almost hate to lead with this, because for the price it absolutely delivers on taste. Almost the color of Orange Wine, the Reserve Brut is hella dry and ultra tart – just what I like in an effervescent wine. With the lingering bitterness of a candied orange peel, this is a bottle I will look for again. I would love to pair with an orange or grapefruit juice on a Sunday morning (or a Monday morning – I don’t judge).
Next is the Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Brut, Sonoma County Sparkling Wine – Retails for $14.99
“A blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and a dash of Pinot Meunier from Sonoma County, California”
Hmmm… judging by the list of blended wines… the exact same thing but $5 more? Maybe…
They say you taste with your eyes first, and if that’s true, then this wine comes in on top. It’s clearer, lighter, more like what you expect a bubbly wine to look like. However, I taste with my nose first. I can’t help it; I have an incredibly sensitive olfactory gland. And I just couldn’t get past the minerally, almost sulfuric smell of this wine. Note that my husband couldn’t detect it, AND it doesn’t taste sulfuric, but to me this was a deal breaker. This one was also sweeter, with notes of stone fruit – specifically apricot. All around it was tasty, if you didn’t think of hard-boiled eggs first… which I did… and maybe I’m crazy but this is my blog, so I feel an obligation to tell you about it.
So, which one won? Well, my money is on Perrier-Jouet. Oh, that wasn’t a choice was it? Maybe 2021 will inspire me to shell out for fine wine, but until then I feel confident in recommending the Trader Joe’s Reserve Brut! But, my partner picked the Platinum Reserve… which checks out actually. However, I’m the non-professional wine blogger so take my word for it. At $9.99, you would be hard pressed to find a better bottle of bubbles for the price.
And it pairs so well with Parmesan Pups and Buffalo Chicken Poppers and fancy-pants pajamas. If you’re like me and waited until the last minute to plan your quarantined NYE, then head to your local Trader Joe’s and thank me later.
And on a sentimental note, thank you, dear reader, for finding this corner of the internet this year. I can’t wait to share moments both sentimental and snarky in 2021. Cheers to a better year. I hope it’s a good one.