Modesto wine columnist has Portugal on his mind; award-winning Cabernets
I admit, I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to technology. In fact, if I didn’t have grandkids around I would be lost. I’ve been posting Wine Line on Facebook for about five years. Lately, I have been praising the quality and value of Portuguese red blends and just like magic, I started getting beautiful Facebook posts all about Portugal. Fifteen years ago, we visited and had a wonderful time in Lisbon and cruising up the Douro River. The food, the wine, the people, the music and the tempo made us relax. It felt like we were meant to be there. I got the same feeling when looking at the Facebook posts (visitportugal.com).
About three weeks later I received a press release for the fourth annual San Joaquin Valley Portuguese Festival to be held April 22-23 at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock. A freaky coincidence? I’m not sure but it’s only 10 miles from our house and you can count us in. The family friendly event will showcase traditional Portuguese dancing, music and cuisine.
The festival will start on Saturday with a Portuguese parade followed by plenty of activities. Food booths, carnival rides, wine and cheese tastings (YES!!) and cultural exhibits. The 51FIFTY STAGE will include Jorge Ferreira, Alex Ferrari, the Portuguese Kids and more. Parking and admission are free on both days. Tickets for the bloodless bullfight on Sunday at 4 p.m. are $15. All proceeds benefit the Carlos Vierra Foundation’s Race for Autism. More information can be found at SJVportuguesefestival.com.
Bargain Cabernets Under $13
The Best of Class Cabernet Sauvignon in the SF Chronicle Wine Competition went to The Collection Bourbon Barrel ($9.99). Double Gold winners were Robert Mondavi Private Collection ($10.99), NV Barefoot ($6.99) and the ’20 Bogle Family Vineyards ($11). Gold Medals went to the ’18 Montpellier ($6.99), Velvet Moon by Trader Joe’s ($5.99), McManis Family Vineyards ($11) and Gnarly Head ($12). Those not noted are the 2021 vintage.
Cheers to the Following
Cheers to Ficklin Vineyards for reaching their 75th year in business and for receiving a perfect score of 100 points for their flagship Old Vine Tinta Port. They also were awarded the Business Journal’s FOBA (Family-Owned Business Award).
Cheers to the Dust Bowl Brewing Company for announcing another tap room to open in Livermore this summer. This is its fourth tap room including the Turlock Brewery Taproom, the Tap Depot in Monterey and the Old Town Tap House in Elk Grove.
Cheers to the tiny Casto Oaks Winery in Mariposa for scoring a gold, a silver and two bronze medals in the SF competition. The gold was for a 2017 Sierra Foothills Zinfandel called ‘Jessie’s Zin’ ($23). Cheers to all!
Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.