I’m putting Costco and Trader Joe’s Spanish reds to the test in a blind tasting to see which budget giant actually delivers the goods (spoiler: it’s complicated).
Join my newsletter to get all the wines I reviewed! https://wineguydustin.com/
I’m Dustin, and I’ve tasted thousands of wines—my mission is to make wine accessible and fun for everyone by cutting through the snobbery and complication with honest, helpful reviews for non-wine people.
Buy my wife’s book here : https://amzn.to/4lbg141
My studio gear: https://tr.ee/nw3WA8
Great Wines under $25!: https://tr.ee/d5WGqF
Want to taste for yourself?: https://tr.ee/Lay8XU
Watch my other videos here!
🍷 I Rank Every Red Italian Wine at Trader Joe’s (There Were 23!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24-npw_9SPo&t=480s
🍷 I Took On 21 Bottles of Trader Joe’s Pinot Noir in One Sitting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKhsSc4lx4s&t=203s
🍷 How I wish ORDERING WINE was explained to me as a beginner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSxtx0vux4I&t=22s
🍷 Sommelier Ranked $400 of Trader Joe’s Bordeaux Wine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKaousRwylg
🍷 I Tested Costco vs. Trader Joe’s Cabernet Sauvignon: Which One Is Best? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qvuj5zlhWE&t=5s
🍷 Is a $300 Champagne Really Worth It? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i4s-ZD1mdk&t=782s
TIMESTAMP
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:48 Aroma test
00:01:49 Costco Grand Reserva Spain 2018 $13.99 vs Trader Joe’s Reserva Rioja Spain 2018 $9.99 taste test
00:03:12 Time for the reveal!
—————————-
Looking for the best Costco wine or best Trader Joe’s wine in 2025? I’m putting Costco wine recommendations head-to-head against Trader Joe’s wine reviews in this ultimate wine blind taste test. As a sommelier tasting these budget favorites, I’m comparing Costco wine with Trader Joe’s wine to find out which store offers better value for Spanish reds. My sommelier wine blind tasting reveals surprising truths about the best Costco red wine and best Trader Joe’s red wine options currently available.
Are you curious whether Costco wine 2025 selections outperform Trader Joe’s wine review favorites? This comprehensive wine review explores both retailers’ Spanish offerings, evaluating them like a professional sommelier tries to do at a winery. My wine recommendations come from extensive experience with both Costco wine recommendations and best Trader Joe’s wine selections. Through this wine blind tasting, you’ll discover which budget retailer truly delivers the best value when it comes to Trader Joe’s red wine versus the best Costco red wine options.
In this sommelier tasting wine video, I cut through the complexity of wine blind taste tests to give you straightforward advice about both Costco wine and Trader Joe’s wine. Whether you’re hunting for the best Trader Joe’s red wine or trying to navigate Costco wine 2025 selections, my wine recommendations will help you shop smarter. Subscribe for more wine reviews and sommelier tasting insights, including future Costco wine recommendations and best Trader Joe’s wine guides that will enhance your budget wine shopping experience.
11 Comments
I’ve enjoyed your new channel so far Dustin and the quality of your videos. That being said, and I know you are a sommelier and have high standards, if I had one critique it’s that your reviews still come off a bit, well, snobby? While TJs and Costco’s wines aren’t going to win a fine wine competition, many people enjoy them, and it seems you never have anything remotely positive to say about (almost) any of them. While I haven’t tried any of the ones you’ve reviewed personally, Costco’s southern Rhone seasonal offerings have been excellent for my new-to-wine palette. I loved the Kirkland CdP and the Cotes Du Rhone Villages was phenomenal for a $7 bottle. Bought a couple of the Gigondas that typically get positive reviews as well. Maybe my unrefined palette is just a sucker for a fruit forward GSM blend. Maybe at least try to incorporate how somebody less experienced in wine might enjoy some of these offerings?
I'm a non-wine person and I very much appreciate your videos! Keep up the great work!!!
Not the result I was hoping for. I'd love you to find a couple budget bangers, but it was as fun as always. Thanks.
Whether it is Bret or something else,for me,if can spot it immediately,then perhaps it's too much,on the other hand,if I say "what the hell is that",then slowly identify it,that I like..
This video is the way Dustin..
I can imagine these videos are expensive and time consuming..
This is a good compromise for you..
And us..
Quick video,digested quickly by us and takes up less of your time and money..
Don't get me wrong,I LOVE the longer more in depth videos but I don't want you to burn out..
This channel is exactly what I have been looking for. Please keep it up. If you are you looking for video ideas I have a billion.
Amazing video! Recently trying to learn more about wine and your videos are extremely helpful!
Hey Dustin, commenting for the algorithm 😅
Great content, but I'm missing the roller-coaster thrill of min-mid-max.
~10/50/300$ bottles always create that tension for the viewers, and I hope to see more of these.
(Confidential advice, a pretty lady in the thumbnail might boost views and subscribers. It's not cheating if she becomes part of the format, right 😉)
I really enjoyed this one! Also, the newsletter was awesome! Please keep them coming! Thanks for always being so thoughtful!
again best Video I saw this week 🙂
Great video, as always! Bummer these were disappointing, but love the face-off of the two! Maybe a Napa face-off could be interesting, Costco Oakville is shockingly good!