12 Best Wines at Kroger in 2023 [Essential Wines]
Thanks to supply deals with reputable independent wineries, Kroger can be a fantastic place to pick up great value wine that hits the spot.
From Cabernet Sauvignon's rich, fruity goodness to the light freshness of Sauvignon Blanc, Kroger has plenty to offer wine lovers.
In this guide, I recommend my favorite wines to be found at Kroger.
Reds
12. Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
Lusciously rich and bursting with oaky, dark fruit notes, this Cabernet Sauvignon from acclaimed winemaker Louis M. Martini ticks all the right boxes. It has a full body with ripe, jammy flavors and an intriguing vanilla undertone.
Big, bold black plum and blackcurrant flavors are complimented by oaky notes, strawberry, and cherry on the nose with a twist of mocha and oaky spice. Moderate tannins and a well-balanced dryness make it a real crowd pleaser.
This wine goes wonderfully with prime rib, lamb chops, sticky ribs, hamburgers, and barbecue. It's easily approachable, with the oaky, almost spicy finish lending itself perfectly to meaty, hearty dishes that need a touch of fruit.
11. 2021 Meiomi Pinot Noir
Meiomi Pinot Noir is sweeter than your average Pinot Noir and it's actually a bit too sweet for me. However, a lot of people love this wine so it's worth including.
It's perfect for parties where there might be people that don't usually drink wine. It's got a crowd pleasing flavor profile that's bound to go down really well.
It's fruit forward with jammy fruit notes of black cherry and plum along with some sweet strawberry candy. A little oak gives some nice vanilla and spice notes that tie it all together.
Really smooth tannins and low acidity make it very approachable and easy to drink.
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10. Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark and fruity with toasted hazelnut and cinnamon notes, Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon gives us that warm, fuzzy feeling. It's very smooth and drinkable, with an intriguing undertone of anise, vanilla, and mocha.
Josh Cellars winery began in 2007, founded by Joseph Carr, who discovered his love for wine in 1978 after moving to Napa, California. The winery produces red, white, and rose varieties in pure and blended forms to suit all tastes.
We love this Cabernet Sauvignon's intense black fruit flavor, with black cherry, blackberry, and plum wrapped up in a full body. Notes of red licorice, vanilla, and hazelnut give it one of the earthiest bouquets of any Cabernet Sauvignon.
Mezze plates, smoked sausages, goat's cheese, duck, steak with horseradish, and venison stews work great with this wine. It also pairs well with red fruits, jam, fruity dressings, and dark chocolate (including desserts like brownies).
9. Hands Hot to Trot Columbia Valley Smooth Red Blend
As blended wines go, this one's a cracker. Shiraz/Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, and Pinot Grigio combine to create a medium-bodied, off-dry red with fruity notes and a spicy finish with a touch of jam.
Produced by 14 Hands winery in Columbia Valley, Washington, this wine is aged for ten months in stainless steel vats and neutral French and American oak barrels. This combination balances fruity, spicy, and savory notes.
The palate is underpinned by plum, black cherry, and vanilla. A hint of raspberry and strawberry on the mid-palate delivers a sweet hit, while oak, vanilla, and chocolate on the finish create a rich, decadent tipple.
This is one of Kroger's most approachable red wines, perfect for sipping at parties and as a table wine. It pairs well with Asian-style cuisine with coriander and lime, roasted vegetables, white fish like halibut, zucchini, and salty cheeses.
Whites
8. 19 Crimes Martha's Chardonnay
19 Crimes Martha's Chardonnay is smooth and fruity, with a long finish and a light mouthfeel.
It's as crisp and refreshing as white wine gets, with strong citrus notes and lashings of stone fruit, honey, caramel, and vanilla.
The funky 19 Crimes name comes from the crimes for which people could be sentenced to transportation after the Revolution of 1776. The Australian winery was founded by Treasury Wine Estates in 2012, focusing on value-priced wines.
If you love the crispness of Chardonnay, this wine is for you. Slightly sweet with green apple, orange blossom, lemon, caramel, and honeysuckle notes, it's rich and flavorful, with a touch of stone fruit and pear for a tropical twist.
This wine's slightly sweet profile lends itself to spicy Asian and Mexican cuisine. Hot dishes like vermicelli and vindaloo are perfect matches, but it also works well with lobster, chicken, pork belly, jacket potatoes, and salads.
7. Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is a thirst-quenching powerhouse packed with grapefruit, lemon, and apple notes. Aromatic tropical fruits and bright citrus notes make it an irresistible tipple befitting the finest Sauvignon Blancs.
The acidity of this wine makes it perfect for oysters and other shellfish, calamari, white fish, green vegetables, and crab cakes. Seafood and chicken cooked with zingy flavors such as citrus or garlic marinades are ideal pairings.
5. 2021 Kung Fu Girl Riesling
This is a wine I reviewed on our YouTube channel just recently. While, I didn't care for last year's offering, this time this off-dry Riesling has great acidity that makes it great for lightly spiced food.
Stone fruit notes of peach and apricot and a citrus element of lime give it a fruity profile. It's off-dry sweetness is lifted by some bright acidity that leads to a mouthwatering finish.
At just $10, it's really good value for money. Pick this up with some Chinese or Thai takeout for an amazing Saturday meal in front of the TV.
5. Chateau Ste. Michelle Harvest Select Riesling
Dessert wines don't come finer than Chateau Ste. Michelle Harvest Select Riesling. Light, syrupy, and brimming with peachy notes, this Riesling is easy to drink, with a hint of acidity to cut through the candied profile.
Chateau Ste. Michelle winery is Washington State's oldest winery. Founded in 1954 by a merger, it produces wines in Columbia Valley, which has a semi-arid climate and sees only 10 inches of annual rainfall, producing sweet, fruity grapes.
We adore this Riesling's peachy, appley profile, which has lots of depth with generous notes of honey, caramel, and hints of mineral, graphite, and lemon. The medium body and smooth mouthfeel make it highly drinkable.
Enjoy this wine as a dessert on its own, or pair it with cheesecake, meringues, and salted caramel cookies. The light acidity balances the sweetness, making it a perfect sipping wine for parties and those evenings in front of the TV.
4. Cavit Pinot Grigio
Light, refreshing, and zingy, everything about Cavit Pinot Grigio makes us jump for joy. This dry white wine uses grapes grown in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, fermented and refined in stainless steel tanks to retain the purity of the fruit.
On the nose, aromas of pear, green apple, grapefruit, honey, and stone, with citrus, honeydew, and vanilla on the palate. The finish is long and crisp, with pear and a subtle minerality making it irresistible.
Shellfish, pasta with white sauce, rice dishes with lots of herbs, fresh green salads, green vegetables, and sandwiches are perfect food pairings. The fair acidity and smooth mouthfeel also work well with savory snacks like pretzels.
Rosé
3. La Marca Prosecco Rosé
Love strawberry and red fruit? La Marca Prosecco Rosé delivers a red fruit bonanza with strawberry, raspberry, and melon flavors. It's produced with 100% Glera grapes from the northeastern Italy Prosecco di Treviso region.
La Marca operates cooperative wineries in the Province of Treviso, working with 5,000 winegrowers. Their Prosecco Rosé is the product of vineyards dedicated to rosé wine with the warm, humid climate producing intense grapes.
Zingy and fruity, this sparkling wine has medium bubbles with an off-dry, slightly mineral profile. Flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and a twinge of passion fruit shine. Butter and pear on the finish give it a delicate richness.
Pair this wine with barbeque meats, grilled vegetables, frittata, fruit tarts, and citrusy salads, or serve it with brunch for a refreshing tipple.
Also available at your local Whole Foods and Walmart wine sections.
Sparkling
2. Gemma di Luna Moscato
Sumptuous, fizzy bubbles and elderflower richness give Gemma di Luna Moscato a unique character. It's rich, refreshing, and off-dry, with a sweet palate leaning to tart on the finish. A light, easy wine perfect for any occasion.
Gemma di Luna is an Italian winery in Piemonte, Northwest Italy, with vineyards at the foot of the Alps. This is one of the coldest regions in Italy, with the winery picking Moscato grapes late in the season for an irresistible, floral fizz.
On the nose, peach, pear, elderflower, wildflowers, and apple, with a hint of lemon. The flavor profile leans heavily on elderflower, orange blossom, and sweet lime, and the crisp finish has notes of rose and honey.
1. Martini & Rossi Asti
This lush, lightly sparkling wine is made with the Moscato Bianco grape, known for its sweet, intensely aromatic profile. Martini Asti is a DOCG sparkling wine, fermented once instead of twice as with prosecco, giving it a light body.
Martini & Rossi is a famous Italian winery specializing in sparkling wines. Founded in 1863, it is one of Italy's earliest Pessione region wineries, with eco-friendly vineyards in the heart of the prestigious Italian DOCG area.
Aromatic white grape, ripe peach, melon, and brioche aromas are reflected on the palate with a touch of lemon and grapefruit. Sweet and low in alcohol (7.5% ABV), this wine is very approachable with a crisp, short finish.
The almond and vanilla notes of Italian desserts bring out the best in this Asti, but our favorite dessert pairing is Tiramisu, with its whipped coffee goodness. Fresh fruit, jam tarts, and English trifle also work brilliantly.
What are your favorite wines at Kroger? We'd love to hear what you think down below!
