Italian Spritz on a Budget: Trader Joe's $5.99 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezia Vivace

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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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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hey, welcome, it's Domain Dave.
Again, cheapwinefindercom.
We've got another value pricewine review we're going to talk
about.
As always, we write them up onthe CheapWineFindercom website
and then, when we're donewriting it up, we plug in the
microphone and we're going totalk about it.
And here's one.
It's an import wine, it's $5.99.

(00:24):
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 inChicago called Giordano and I
knew I was going to say Giordano, but I said the Giordano, right
.
Pinot Grigio della Venezia,vivace 2024.
The Vivace means this is aspritzer, there's some bubbles

(00:45):
in this one and the DellaVenezia means it's in the
Venditto region.
It's in the northeast part ofItaly.
The vineyards are probablycloser to Austria and Slovenia
than they are to Rome.
Vineyards are probably closerto Austria and Slovenia than

(01:08):
they are to Rome.
In the southwest section ofthis entire region is where
Prosecco comes from, so it's upin the hills and people up there
speak as much German as they doItalian.
And the Alto Aldige, which isin the north central part.
That's where the money PinotGrigio is from.

(01:28):
That's the ones over $20.
The rest of the ones are fairlywell-priced and actually cheap,
and this one is $5.99.
And one of the interestingthings about it is that it's a
bubbly.
It's got a screw cap so there'snot a lot of pressure in there
but there are some bubbles whichgives it a little bit of a zip.

(01:48):
It's kind of a nice littleadded thing for a $5.99 wine.
He said it'd be a littlesomething extra.
It's always good.
This is one of those winesyou're going to want to keep
cold.
I mean, if you grab a champagnechampagne bucket, throw some
ice in there, stick this inthere, you're gonna want every
sip cold.

(02:16):
This one is more fruit thancitrus, but it's all rather
balanced.
It's got really good acidity toit.
Pinot Grigio in the past couldbe a little bit heavy on the
acidity.
Here it seems to be nicelybalanced.
The flavors are more peach andpear, lemon-lime nectarine, a

(02:44):
little bit tropical fruit.
Very nice, very nice for $5.99.
You know, it's not complex, itdoesn't uh, it doesn't
transition to other flavors, butit's 5.99.
It's got bubbles.
What else do you want to ask for?
I mean, it's really nice andit's a doc wine.
Uh, doc means it's.
It conforms to all the rulesand regulations from the region.

(03:05):
It's not a um.
You know it's not a wine,that's a.
It's a step below in any way.
This is a properly made wine.
The company that makes it it'sEtvino.
They are a custom winemaker andthey make wines from every
single region of Italy andmultiple brands from each thing,

(03:26):
and they made this wine, theGiodirum.
There's a couple of other winesthey make for Trader Joe's and
it's made exclusively for TraderJoe's.
Tastes great If you just want alight white wine that you can
have with a chill.

(03:47):
Having a little chill on thingsis always nice.
It has a screw cap so you cankeep the the cap still on it and
keep it.
Keep the whatever bubbles arethere from jumping out.
It's not overly bubbly, but itdoes okay In any at any time.
It's just a little and you have.

(04:09):
So just a little bit of aspritzer is a nice thing,
especially with a nice Italianwine.
Take another sip Tastes good.
I mean, it's for $5.99.
It gives you a little bit morethan what you expected.
You weren't expecting bubbles,you got it.
You got a nice fruit-forwardflavor wine.

(04:30):
That's the real deal.
Wine from Italy, it's not somemade-for-the-American flavor
wine, that's the real deal.
Wine from Italy, it's not somemade 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.

(04:51):
The price is right.
And what else are you waitingfor?
It's a little, it's hot aroundhere right now and this is a
perfect wine.
Actually, it's so hot it coolsoff 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.

(05:11):
I'll be talking to you in acouple of days.
Bye-bye.