Trader Joe's has become a default wine stop for many. Incredibly priced, with a good selection of unique wines. But more than ever, finding the diamonds is more and more of a challenge.  This list is focused on the best values (bang for the buck) at Trader Joe's - and it'll change every year as not only their selection changes - but the wines themselves can vary substantially year after year.

One of the reasons you find such unique wines at Trader Joe's is that they'll often buy surplus wine from a vineyard and put a custom label on it.  Vineyards have lots of reasons to not bottle wine under their own name. You may think that the main reason is that a batch wasn't good enough. Maybe. But more than likely, they produced to much and would make the supply/demand unfavorable for their reputation. If you produced too many $30 bottles of wines, you don't want them left on the shelf - that would make them seem unpopular. And you don't want to cut the price - that would ruin your reputation. So you relabel them and sell them to someone like Trader Joe's.

That's why they can have some great wines that are priced REALLY well.  Of course, this list is not endorsed, approved, sanctioned or anyway involved with Trader Joes.

#6 R.G.M.V.(California) Honey suckle nose with a waxy spicy pear $4

Zinfandel is a distinctly American grape that captures spicy ripe red fruit notes, generally with higher alcohol. It can be used to pair with barbecue, pizza, pasta, and burgers. Although America, especially California, has some truly outstanding wines, perhaps there is no other varietal that screams California than Zin.

Finding a great Zinfandel shouldn't be hard - but because it's the most planted, it's also has the biggest selection. Many of which should be passed over. Here's our take on 5 best buys that you should try now. Try them all and find one that you can make your "House Red."

#4 Steele Mendocino Zinfandel Smooth ripe cherry notes. Less common, artisanally crafted. $18