This Presidents Day, we're all about Andrew Jackson, or recommending bottles that cost $20 or less.
Each of these wines is made by local wineries that have sourced grapes from the greater Sacramento area. They represent wines including consumer favorites, Old World varietals and other wine grapes that grow especially well in our soils.
Cheers to the Founding Fathers … and this time to unwind.
Bogle 2010 Petite Sirah ($10): If Sacramento had a hall of fame for wines, this signature bottling from Bogle would be a key contender. Bogle, of Clarksburg, initially built its successful business, and ultimate place on the wine world's map, by planting petite sirah in 1968. This inky and full- flavored red wine remains a Bogle staple, and a longtime customer favorite with its very reasonable price. www.boglewinery.com
Michael David 2010 7 Deadly Zins ($15): For those craving a full-throttled experience, Michael David of Lodi leaves most subtlety behind to craft ripe and fruit-forward wines that just about scream "scorching Central Valley." The 7 Deadly Zins is always a mouthful with its 15 percent alcohol, jammy fruit and hint of pepper. www.michaeldavidwinery.com
Clarksburg Wine Co. 2010 Chenin Blanc ($16): Speaking of Clarksburg, this section of the Sacramento Delta is renowned as a sweet spot for chenin blanc. Here's a crisp example of this grape that's synonymous with the Loire Valley in France, with stone-fruit flavors and quenching acidity. Keep some on standby for relaxing on the porch during warm Sacramento summer evenings. www.clarksburgwineco.com
Sorelle Winery 2011 Sangiovese Rosato ($16): If you like pink wine, here's a winner from Lodi. This rosé made of sangiovese was the sweepstakes winner at the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for pink wines. Not bad for a bottle that's just 16 bucks. www.sorellewinery.com
Sobon Estate 2010 Rocky Top Zinfandel ($17): The Sobon family ranks as one of the key vintners in Amador County with its string of accolades and long-standing dedication to the area's wine industry. While some of Sobon's recent bottlings have sold out, here's a single-vineyard zinfandel that features the fruity and rich character that's a hallmark of Amador. Pair it with a medium-rare rib-eye steak for maximum effect. www.sobonwine.com
Berryessa Gap 2011 Verdelho ($18): The Portuguese white grape known as verdelho is planted in various pockets around the greater Sacramento area, most notably in Lodi. This grape's one of the key components for Madeira- fortified wines, but on its own as a white wine it can serve your palate well with its prominent acidity and floral character. Break away from that same ol' sauvignon blanc and give this local verdelho a spin. www.berryessagap.com
Boeger 2010 Barbera ($18): The classic Italian grape barbera has found a welcome home in the Sierra Foothills, which hosts dozen of wineries annually at the Barbera Festival. Here's a fitting example from Placerville's Boeger Winery, which grows barbera on its estate and around El Dorado County. Plenty of red-fruit flavors are found in this wine, with a touch of spice and vanilla. www.boegerwinery.com
Bokisch Vineyards 2010 Terra Alta Vineyard Garancha ($18): Bokisch Vineyards offers a welcome taste of Spain to Lodi's wine region. Garancha, otherwise known as grenache around the wine world, is known for its full-bodied and spicy expressions. This version shows a bit more acidity than the typical Spanish garancha, which helps give the wine a solid overall structure, and is blended with 10 percent monastrell (a.k.a. mourvedre) to lend tannins and earthiness. www.bokischvineyards.com
Casque Wines 2010 Calotte Blanc ($18): Viognier, vermentino, roussanne and marsanne join forces for a Rhône-style white blend that's won a number of awards for this Loomis vintner.
Pair this fairly rich yet food-friendly wine with fish and whole-milk cheeses, including manchego. www.casquewines.com
Holly's Hill 2010 El Dorado Mourvedre Classique ($20): El Dorado County is renowned for its Rhône-style wines, and Holly's Hill crafts some of that area's best examples. While mourvedre wines can often be too earthy for many tastes, this version balances that note with tasty red-fruit flavors and a medium body that drinks easily.
A very reasonable price for a fairly complex wine. www.hollyshill.com
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