Oenological thoughts and odd lots

In my last column I shared some of the comments I’ve received in the 10 years of writing “Wine Line.” I wish I could have printed all of them but I really would like to keep this job as a wine columnist. I do make a point of responding, so if you have something to say, ask or accuse me of, don’t hesitate. It lets me know at least someone is actually reading the column.

If you see a Berryhill Family Vineyards label on a sauvignon blanc or chardonnay, don’t be surprised. Bill Berryhill, a fifth-generation grape grower is now making his own wine. Recently released, it’s available in several local restaurants and a few markets. Both wines are good and priced at $12.99.

Target has come out with their own brand of wine called “California Roots.” The suggested price is $5. This proprietary brand will prevent others (read Amazon) from selling it. The price puts it in competition with Sutter Home, Barefoot and Trader Joe’s Moon series wines.

The J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines (one of my favorite family owned wineries) Touching Lives Campaign has surpassed funding 5,000 mammograms in partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation; $3 dollars from every bottle sold of Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and $2 from every bottle of Carol’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc are donated to support NBCF’s efforts in early detection. The program honors J. Lohr founder, Jerry Lohr’s late wife, Carol.

What’s On Our Table

“A nice light red wine” is the response I get nearly every evening when I ask the Navigator what wine would she’d like with dinner. Pinot is her first choice but finding reasonably priced daily pinot is difficult. Merlot is not. I have mentioned Robert Hall Merlot and the Chilean Santa Ema and many times the J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot. Add to this list the 2014 Bonterra Merlot. With soft tannins, cherry-berry flavors and under $15, the Navigator smiles and even cooks with it. If that’s out of your price range, I bought four merlots (all $4.99) at the Turlock Grocery Outlet and called in my Wineaux Tasting Crew. The winner was the 2014 Double Decker but it was only 3 points ahead of the 2013 60 North. Both are very good and at $4.99; they’re great. I also bought a Qupe wine, called a Modern Red Blend. It’s a light blend of syrah, grenache and mourvedre, made by Bob Lindquist, the guru of syrah on the Central Coast. I’m not sure why this red found a home at the GO but at $3, I’m happy it did. Cheers!

This story was originally published September 26, 2017 at 9:10 AM with the headline "Oenological thoughts and odd lots."