Modesto wine columnist sets the stage for Mendocino Pinot Noir Festival
The Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival will celebrate the region’s signature grape on May 20-22. The festival takes place throughout Anderson Valley but the largest event, the grand tasting, will move to a new location at Scharffenberger Cellars. The festival will highlight both Pinot Noir’s sparkling wines and its exceptional still wines. The festival will feature a VIP Bubble Lounge sponsored by the Roederer Estate Family of Wines featuring wines from Roederer Estate, Scharffenberger Cellars and Champagne Louis Roederer Family Estate.
The grand tasting will feature 50 producers pouring Pinot Noir ranging in style from sparkling to still to rose. Wineries pouring include Anderson Valley producers and more than a dozen Napa and Sonoma producers that source fruit from the region. Other events include a technical conference led by industry experts, a gourmet sunset barbecue at Goldeneye Winery and open houses throughout Anderson Valley. This is a Pinot Noir lover’s dream weekend and events usually sell out. For more info and tickets, go to avwines.com.
Wine competition winners
Forty-eight judges tasted 5,800 wines from the US, Canada and Mexico in mid-January for the 2022 SF Chronicle Wine Competition. Medals were flowing in the largest wine competition held in the U.S. The event determines the class based on retail cost. The Best of Class award is the best Chardonnay under $11 and that went to 2020 CK Mondavi, $7. Following are Double Gold awards: Box Wize, $4.50, Free Reign $6.95, Black Box, $4.99 and Four Vines 2020 Central Coast, $10.99. Gold Medals indicate the majority of the judges voted gold. Here are some to look for in your local market: Fetzer, $8, Bogle, $10, Gen 5, $9.99, Barefoot, $6.99, Barefoot Buttery, $6.99 and Challis Lane, $9.99.
The lowest price class for Cabernet Sauvignon was under $13 and that BC Award went to Bar Dog 2020, $12.99. DG Awards went to Line 39 2019, $10.99, Tiny Umbrellas NV, $5.99, Redwood Vineyards 2018, $8.99, Momentous 2019, $12.99 and Sutter Home NV, $6. Gold winners available locally are Challis Lane 2020, $9.95, 1924 2020 Lodi Double Black, $12.00 and Vampire Wine 2020, $12.95. If you’re tired of your Monday or daily wine, I hope these gold winners give you a few options.
What’s on our table
Depending on your budget, here are two Washington State reds that are either a steal or a deal. The Mercer Family Vineyards Horse Heaven Hills 2017 Reserve Heritage Red Blend and the 2017 Browne Family Vineyard Columbia Valley Red Blend, each $9.98, are at the Grocery Outlet. A bit steep but both drink like a Friday wine, so I think they’re a real steal. Cheers!
Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.