Modesto Wine columnist suggests budget buys on award-winning wines
My last column listed Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons as best buys based on the results of the SF Chronicle 2022 Wine Competition. Here are three more varietals that scored a Best of Class, Double Gold or Gold and priced in a category that I call the daily wines.
Sauvignon Blanc up to $15.99: The Best of Class award went to the 2019 H3 Horse Heaven Hills, $15. Double Golds went to Bogle Vineyards 2020, $10, Gnarly Head 2020, $10, Imagery 2021, $13.99, Lost Hog 2021, $14.99, and Barefoot NV, $6.99.
Merlot up to $14.99: The Best of Class award went to Challis Lane 2020, $9.99, and Golds were awarded to Barefoot NV, $6.99, 14 Hands 2018, $12, Ironstone 2020, $14, and Monterra 2020, $5.99.
Dry Rose/Blush: This category isn’t based on price but on the sweetness (residual sugar) of the wine. The $14 2021 Barnard Griffin Rose of Sangiovese took the Sweepstakes Award. Double Gold winners were the 2020 SEAGLASS, $12, the 2020 Menage a Trois, $10, 2020 Bogle Vineyards, $13, and the NV Sutter Home White Zinfandel, $6.
These wines are readily available in your local supermarket and the Challis Lane is a BevMo exclusive. I hope this helps you find some daily wines at reasonable prices. Happy hunting.
Behind the Cellar Door
How would you like to go behind the cellar door and experience the “Art of Winemaking” with world class Amador County wines? How about taking a vineyard tour with a winemaker or blending your own wine? Or maybe sitting in on a Q and A educational seminar or tasting barrel samples? How about nibbling on delectable food pairings? If the answer is yes, then keep March 26-27 open to get behind that door. To do that you’re going to need a passport. They’re available at www.amadorwine.com/bcd. Don’t wait. The 40-plus Amador wineries host great sell-out events. Other upcoming Amador Wine events are Amador Four Fires on Saturday, May 7, the Barbera Festival on Saturday, Sept. 10, and the Big Crush Friday-Sunday, Oct. 7-9. Save those dates!
What’s on Our Table
The steal this week is the Terre Di Mario, a NV Vino Rosso from Abruzzo, Italy. It is just $4.99 at the Grocery Outlet. The deal is the 2020 Sauvignon de Seguin from the Bordeaux Appellation of France, just $5.99 at Trader Joe’s. The splurge is the 2019 10,000 Hours Red Blend from Washington’s Red Mountain AVA. It’s a quality five varietal Bordeaux blend and is accessible now or can age 10-plus years, $35. Cheers!
Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.