March only has started, but the editors of Food&Wine magazine already are crowing about their list of the best American wines for $15 or less, to be published in the magazine's April issue. Ray Isle, the magazine's “Tasting Room” editor, tried more than 300 candidates to come up with 67 to recommend.

They include several local releases, including the Windmill 2006 Lodi Chardonnay ($12), the Dry Creek Vineyard 2006 Clarksburg Dry Chenin Blanc ($12), the 4 Bears 2003 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Sacramento wine negotiant Sean Minor ($15), the Lange Twins 2005 California Merlot from Lodi ($13), the Montevina 2004 Amador County Syrah ($10), the Bogle 2005 California Petite Sirah from Clarksburg ($11), the Vinum Cellars 2005 PETS Petite Sirah from Clarksburg ($14), and the Domaine de la Terre Rouge 2004 Tête-à-Tête Rhone blend from the Sierra foothills ($15).

Note that the only petite sirahs on the list both were from the Delta, which should be cause for pride in Clarksburg, but also note that not a single zinfandel from the Sierra foothills qualified for the roundup, which should be cause for concoern among vintners in the Gold Country, long seen as the Mother Lode of high-value, high-character zinfandel in the North State.