This Trader Joe’s $10 French Rosé Is the Only Wine We’re Drinking

One of my favorite things I did while working at Trader Joe’s was play a game I call “Wine Astrology.” I was one of the wine order-writers for Trader Joe’s, so I had to get really good, really fast at divining customers’ moods and tastes on any particular day. Yes, I’ve probably tasted nearly all the different wines sold at TJ’s.

Predicting summertime wine tastes was always a fun beast all its own: Do you want a BBQ-friendly wine? A light and breezy porch-drinker to break out on a Tuesday night? Something that tastes like a salty day at the beach? Even if you’ve yet to drink your way through the wine selection at Trader Joe’s just yet, there’s one style that you can’t deny is a summertime winner no matter the mood: rosé. Specifically? The truly hard-to-beat J.L. Quinson Côtes de Provence Rosé. 

Let’s be real: Rosé is so misunderstood. It’s so much more than “the pink wine” that’s cloyingly sweet. Rosé actually comes in way more varietals than you’d think and it’s hardly a monolith. As you’ll soon find out, there’s kind of a rosé blend for nearly everyone. The J.L. Quinson in particular is a blend of 50% Cinsault and 50% Grenache grapes, which lends way more punch and body than you might have expected out of a rosé. 

It also comes from arguably the #1 region for rosé, Provence. When in doubt, if you pick up a Provence-made rosé, you’re likely going to have a great time drinking it. If you’re of the “I look for a pretty wine bottle first” types (I don’t blame you), you’ll be in luck here. The outside truly matches the inside of the J.L. Quinson here. It’s fruity yet light, and has a bit of peppy acid and plenty of floral peach and melon notes. Even if you’re less into notes, what’ll immediately strike you about the J.L. Quinson is how downright refreshing it is. Plus, it looks really good in your hands as you enter your next BBQ. Everyone will be very impressed and very refreshed. 

Is it unbearably hot outside? Need something to break in case of emergency when someone just stops by this summer? Want a last-minute birthday cookout gift that’ll make everyone happy? Then it’s time for this rosé. Those are really the only conditions you need, outside of some wine glasses and maybe a picnic on the calendar. 

My one last lesson: If you still think rosé can’t pair with a juicy burger, let the J.L. Quinson prove you wrong in the most delicious way possible this summer. 

Find it in stores: J.L. Quinson Côtes de Provence Rosé, $9.99 for 750 mL

What Trader Joe’s wines are you buying on repeat this summer? Tell us in the comments below.