Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Bandol Rosé | Lot #130

Trader JoesTJ TuesdayRose Wines
Written By Catherine Courtney

Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Bandol Rosé

Lot #130

GRAPES: Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault ( Assumption based on the wine- not provided by TJ)

VINTAGE: 2024

REGION: Bandol Region | France

ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 13.9%

PRICE: $12.99

For those of you who are working this week, is it me, or does this feel like the longest “short” week ever?

The week leading up to the Fourth of July is all about soaking in summer’s best moments. From road trips and lake days to backyard grills and fireworks practice runs, everyone’s leaning into that laid-back holiday energy. Whether you’re headed out of town or just sneaking a few hours in the sun in between emails, this pre-Fourth stretch is the unofficial kickoff to high summer, and the perfect excuse to pour a glass of something chilled and festive.

Since I feel like I am one of the few people in Nashville working this week, I decided to kick off the holiday celebrations early by pouring myself a glass of Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Bandol Rosé. While my “rosé all day” days have subsided, I still enjoy a glass from time to time. Funny enough, I can’t say that I’ve ever tried a Bandol Rosé. In fact, I had very little information on what it was. So, let’s dive into it.

Bandol is a small appellation (AOC) on the Mediterranean coast of Provence in southeastern France. While Provence is widely known for its pale, refreshing rosés, Bandol roséis is in a class of its own. Think richer, more savory, and often times more worth age-worthy than its regional peers. Let’s talk grape composition. With Bandol rosé, Mourvèdre is the star of the show, as it must make up at least 50% of the blend. As for the other 50%, you’ll often find that it’s blended with Grenache and Cinsault.

While I find most people don’t typically pair rosé wine with food, at least in my inner circle, Bandol rosé is built for food pairings. Think seafood, roasted chicken, pork loin, and hearty vegetarian dishes like lentils and mushrooms,

Without further ado, let’s jump into the tasting details, shall we?

Tasting Notes:

  • Light coral hue

  • Bright citrus notes (lemon/lime) hints of spice and subtle tropical notes

  • Medium body; balanced acidity with a brightness that you often find in rosé wines

Verdict

Y’all this bottle went down WAY too easy. Perhaps one of my favorite bottles of rosé that I’ve picked up from Trader Joe’s in quite some time. If you find this in your reserve section, grab a bottle and let me know your thoughts!

Until Next Time!

Catherine Courtney

Welcome to Blonde Voyage Nashville!

I am so excited to finally see this dream become a reality.  Between the destination restaurants, the copious amount of food photos and insanely crazy travel stories, I have decided to share my journey. 

My name is Catherine Courtney and I am a Nashville native with a penchant for culinary creativity and epic travel adventures. I'll admit... I also have a slight obsession with handbags.

Two years ago, my life changed completely.  Everything that I knew to be was completely turned upside down.  I quickly realized that time is our greatest commodity and it's not to be taken for granted. I couldn't wait for the perfect time, who knew when that would be.  I needed to take the leap and explore the world on my own.  There were so many places I wanted to go, but where would I start. 

France was always one of those places that I had romanticized.  Wandering the streets of Paris and seeing the Eiffel tower were at the top of my list. Without hesitation, I booked a two week trip to the French Rivera and Paris.  It was a journey of a lifetime.  Not only were amazing friendships cultivated, but it was on that trip that i discovered that food and travel are the embers that that keep my soul on fire. 

It wasn't until I arrived back in Nashville with my passport that I realized I had been bit. Wanderlust had completely taken over.  I already started thinking about where I wanted to go next.  It was then that I decided that it was more important to have camera full of photos and a tattered journal full of stories than anything else. My heart was overflowing.

One of my favorite quotes that resonates is from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland:

"Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures...."

Join me as I explore near and far away places, filling my passport full of stamps and satiating my appetite with some of the most amazing cuisine the world has to offer. 

Thanks for reading! 

       

 

 

http://blondevoyagenashville.com
Next

Trader Joe’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc | Lot #267