September is California Wine Month. Modesto columnist runs down the places to enjoy it
The first Wine Line column was printed on Sept. 5, 2007. It appears twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesdays in three valley newspapers. I enjoy writing about wine, reading about wine, talking about wine, discovering new wines and, of course, tasting and sharing wine.
My business card has the statement “a consumer-friendly approach to wine.” This means I’m on your side. We’re all consumers looking for the best possible wine experience. I wrote this five-step mission statement back in 2010, hoping it would help ease you into discovering the joys of wine.
Enjoy wine. Wine is supposed to be fun, enjoy it. Enjoy it alone or with food and if you like ice in your red wine, do it. Have some fun!
Wine is simple. Wine is just grape juice in which the yeast has converted the sugar into alcohol. It is not rocket science. To learn about wine, do your homework which is tasting different varieties, wine regions and countries
Ignore wine snobs.
Wine snobs/geeks and their adjective-laden winespeak are boring, avoid them.
Trust your palate. Develop your own taste and enjoyment of wine. Don’t out-source your palate to someone else. Ratings are just someone else’s opinion. What is your opinion?
Drink what you like. If you like White Zinfandel with rib eye steak or a Chardonnay with lime jello, what the heck, do it. Food and wine pairings are just suggestions. The bottom line is drink what YOU like and pair it with whatever works for YOU.
There you have it. I couldn’t possibly fit all that on a business card so “a consumer friendly approach to wine” will have to do.
The 17 years of 408
Wine Line columns, to me, is unreal. How did that happen? Is it really 2024? Where did that time go? Is the wineglass half full or half empty? Well, I’ve made a decision. I’m not quite throwing in the towel just yet. I’m planning to drop down to one column each month and have it published on the second Wednesday. Yes, it’s a bit of a compromise. However, it will give me more time to find good deals for the “what’s on our table” section. Thank you for reading Wine Line and now on to year 18. Cheers!
CALIFORNIA WINE MONTH
Raise a glass of California wine to celebrate this 20th annual event officially recognized by the California State Legislature. Here are some wine events to consider: the annual Lodi Grape Festival, Sept. 12-15; Paso Robles Wine Tasting Tour in Fresno, Sept. 12; Sonoma County Wine Celebration, Sept. 19-21; CRU Winery Clam Chowder Cook Off, Sept. 21; seventh annual Pacific Wine & Food Classic, Sept. 21; 27th annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, Sept. 21-22; Sample the Sierra Foothills @ South Lake
Tahoe, Sept. 21; La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, Sept. 28-29; and Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival, Sept. 26-28. You can check out websites for details.
Coming up on Oct. 5-6 is the Big Crush Harvest Festival in Amador Wine Country with 45 wineries, music and food. The 31st annual Calaveras Grape Stomp is Saturday Oct. 5 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in Murphys Community Park. And finally, don’t forget the Come Over October campaign which encourages friends, family and colleagues to “come over” during the month of October to share wine, celebrate friendship and leave your phones at home.
WHAT’S ON OUR TABLE
The 2023 Bogle Family Vineyards Rose is readily available in most supermarkets. The SRP is $14, sale priced around $12. It is a Best Buy (91 pts.) from Wine Enthusiast. The
2021 Louis Bernard Cotes Du Rhone Rose Imported by Boisset America, is an easy screw cap steal at the Grocery Outlet for just $4.99. The 2022 Kirkland Signature Prosecco Rose D.O.C. is extra dry, food friendly and an unbelievable price of $7.99. Great bargain Roses from Italy, France and the United States, life is good.
Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.