Modesto columnist on affordable San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition winners
The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is unique. Because of the thousands of entries, wines are judged within their suggested retail prices (SRP). Would you put a $6 Merlot in the same class s a $50 Merlot? Of course not. The event is consumer friendly and that’s why I focus on the results.
Do you want to know what Chardonnay under $11 the judges selected as the best? They were unanimous in their decision giving the Best of Class award to the Non Vintage (NV) Barefoot ($6.99). If you’re looking for a good daily Chardonnay in this price range check out these gold medal winners. The Double Golds went to the Winemaker’s Selection ($4.99) and the NV Beringer Main & Vine ($6.99). The four Golds were Beringer Founders Estate ($9.99), Shaw Organic by Charles Shaw ($10.99), CK Mondavi ($7) and the Leaping Horse Vineyards ($10.99). (All the white wines here are the 2021 vintage, unless so noted.)
If you step up to the $11 to $13.99 price range, the Best of Class awards went to the Bogle Family Vineyards Chardonnay ($11). Golds went to the 2020 Columbia Crest ($12), Nobile 446 ($12) and the 2019 Longevity ($13.99).
The best Sauvignon Blanc under $17 went to the $9.99 Dark Horse. This wine is often on sale for $7.99 The five Gold winners were the 2020 H3 Horse Heaven Hills ($14), Sand Point ($12), Nobile 242 ($12), Trader Joe’s Bay Moon ($4.99) and SEAGLASS ($12).
Pinot Grigios under $15 took five Double Golds. They are Three Pears ($10.99), Bogle Vineyards ($11), SEAGLASS ($12), the NV Sutter Home ($6.99) and the NV Bota Box ($22.99). Four Golds went to the 2021 Black Box ($19.99), Menage a Trois ($12), the NV Middle Sister Drama Queen ($10.99) and Trader Joe’s Venetian Moon ($4.99).
Among these moderately priced white wines, it’s refreshing to see boxed wines garner some of those gold medals. The professional wine judges have a tough job. They do all the work so you don’t have to. You can buy a few of the medal winners, bag them up and invite your wine-loving friends over for a blind tasting. The entry fee should be a wine glass and an appetizer. Your friends will have a great time and if their palates align with the wine judges, well, then voila! You’re a winner.
The results of the Chronicle Wine Competition can help you (and your friends) find a wine that you like, one that you can afford and one you will enjoy. Moderately priced red wine winners will be in a future column\. If you can’t wait, go to winejudging.com and click on the 2023 medal winners. Cheers!
Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.