CheapWineFinder Podcast
Talking about remarkable wines that pair nicely with your wallet! Because we like to keep it cheap but excellent.
CheapWineFinder Podcast
Italian Spritz on a Budget: Trader Joe's $5.99 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezia Vivace
Uncover a hidden gem in the world of budget wines with Domain Dave as he takes us through the delightful surprise that is the Giordano Pinot Grigio delle Venezia Vivace 2024. At just $5.99 from Trader Joe's, this wine defies all expectations of what a sub-$6 bottle can deliver.
What sets this Italian import apart is the unexpected effervescence – the "vivace" designation brings a refreshing spritz that elevates the drinking experience beyond typical budget Pinot Grigios. Despite its humble screw cap, those gentle bubbles add a zippy dimension that makes every cold sip a pleasure. Originating from Venezia in northeastern Italy (a region closer to Austria and Slovenia than Rome), this wine carries authentic Italian character while remaining incredibly affordable.
The flavor profile leans toward fruit rather than citrus, with delightful notes of peach, pear, nectarine, and tropical fruits, all balanced by perfect acidity. Most impressive is its DOC designation, confirming this isn't some artificial concoction designed for American palates but a genuine Italian wine adhering to strict regional standards. Produced by Etvino exclusively for Trader Joe's, it represents exceptional value that punches well above its price point. For maximum enjoyment, Dave recommends serving it ice-cold, perhaps in a champagne bucket during hot weather.
Ready to discover that great wine doesn't have to break the bank? Grab this bottle during your next Trader Joe's run and experience how the right $5.99 investment can deliver genuine Italian craftsmanship with a refreshing twist. Your wallet and taste buds will thank you!
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Hey, welcome, it's Domain Dave. Again, cheapwinefindercom. We've got another value price wine review we're going to talk about. As always, we write them up on the CheapWineFindercom website and then, when we're done writing it up, we plug in the microphone and we're going to talk about it. And here's one. It's an import wine, it's $5.99. We're going to talk about it. And here's one. It's an import wine, it's $5.99. Trader Joe's, it's the Giordano. There's a pizza place in Chicago called Giordano and I knew I was going to say Giordano, but I said the Giordano, right.
Speaker 1:Pinot Grigio della Venezia, vivace 2024. The Vivace means this is a spritzer, there's some bubbles in this one and the Della Venezia means it's in the Venditto region. It's in the northeast part of Italy. The vineyards are probably closer to Austria and Slovenia than they are to Rome. Vineyards are probably closer to Austria and Slovenia than they are to Rome. In the southwest section of this entire region is where Prosecco comes from, so it's up in the hills and people up there speak as much German as they do Italian. And the Alto Aldige, which is in the north central part. That's where the money Pinot Grigio is from.
Speaker 1:That's the ones over $20. The rest of the ones are fairly well-priced and actually cheap, and this one is $5.99. And one of the interesting things about it is that it's a bubbly. It's got a screw cap so there's not a lot of pressure in there but there are some bubbles which gives it a little bit of a zip. It's kind of a nice little added thing for a $5.99 wine. He said it'd be a little something extra. It's always good. This is one of those wines you're going to want to keep cold. I mean, if you grab a champagne champagne bucket, throw some ice in there, stick this in there, you're gonna want every sip cold.
Speaker 1:This one is more fruit than citrus, but it's all rather balanced. It's got really good acidity to it. Pinot Grigio in the past could be a little bit heavy on the acidity. Here it seems to be nicely balanced. The flavors are more peach and pear, lemon-lime nectarine, a little bit tropical fruit. Very nice, very nice for $5.99. You know, it's not complex, it doesn't uh, it doesn't transition to other flavors, but it's 5.99. It's got bubbles.
Speaker 1:What else do you want to ask for? I mean, it's really nice and it's a doc wine. Uh, doc means it's. It conforms to all the rules and regulations from the region. It's not a um. You know it's not a wine, that's a. It's a step below in any way.
Speaker 1:This is a properly made wine. The company that makes it it's Etvino. They are a custom winemaker and they make wines from every single region of Italy and multiple brands from each thing, and they made this wine, the Giodirum. There's a couple of other wines they make for Trader Joe's and it's made exclusively for Trader Joe's. Tastes great If you just want a light white wine that you can have with a chill.
Speaker 1:Having a little chill on things is always nice. It has a screw cap so you can keep the the cap still on it and keep it. Keep the whatever bubbles are there from jumping out. It's not overly bubbly, but it does okay In any at any time. It's just a little and you have. So just a little bit of a spritzer is a nice thing, especially with a nice Italian wine. Take another sip Tastes good.
Speaker 1:I mean, it's for $5.99. It gives you a little bit more than what you expected. You weren't expecting bubbles, you got it. You got a nice fruit-forward flavor wine. That's the real deal. Wine from Italy, it's not some made-for-the-American flavor wine, that's the real deal. Wine from Italy, it's not some made for the American market wine. It's an actual DOC wine. So there you go. It's $5.99 at Giardino. Pinot Grigio della Varenze, vivace 2024 at Trader Joe's. The price is right. And what else are you waiting for? It's a little, it's hot around here right now and this is a perfect wine. Actually, it's so hot it cools off right away. So there you go. I'm going to have to put it. I didn't bring a. I didn't bring an ice bucket. Should have brought one. So, adios, keep it cheap. This is Domain, dave. I'll be talking to you in a couple of days. Bye-bye.