It’s time for my “best of the BCBF Wine, Beer and Bourbon Tasting” picks. Thank you to everyone who came out. It was so nice to be together in person again, and have a good time while raising money for a great cause.

As usual, the crowd drank all four bottles of the 2020 Chandon Brut from Napa, California. I wrote about this wine in my “French champagne houses in California” article a couple months ago.  This has become my go-to, crowd-pleasing sparkler. Not too dry, not too sweet, but just right.  Made of  73% Chardonnay, 26% Pinot Noir, and 1% Pinot Meunier. A great, “every day is a celebration” wine. Green apple, pear and citrus notes on the nose, precede a soft, dry finish on the toasty, nutty palate. This has become my go-to, crowd-pleasing sparkler. Not too dry, not too sweet, but just right. $25 at Taunton Forge Liquors and Martin’s Liquors. ABV 13%

The favorite white was the 2021 Domaine Skouras – Moschofilero Peloponnese from Greece.  100% Moscofilero. A full bodied white, with beautiful floral aromatics on the nose. Round mouth feel, and a good balance between acidity and flavor. This wine smells as good as it tastes. I’ve been using this wine a lot for wine pairing dinners this fall. $13 at Wineworks. ABV: 12.2%

The first of the two favorite reds was the 2020 Guarda Rios Red Blend from Alentejo, Portugal.  Made of a blend of Aragonez, Syrah, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouchet. Intense, ripe blackberry, chocolate, and vanilla on the nose, ripe berries on the palate, with notes of olive, tobacco, and garrigue. Aged 8 months in oak barrels. At $14 a bottle at Wineworks, this wine is hitting way about its weight level. ABV: 14%

The second of the two favorite reds was the 2017 Bodega Los Toneles “Tonel 78” from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina. A blend of 50% Malbec and 50% Bonarda, a grape you may not be familiar with, that is a little more “rustic.” I used an aerator on this one, which smoothed out the tannins. Aromas of blackberry and plum that mingle with smoky mineral and woody notes. Full-bodied on the palate with blackberry, plum, mineral, and wood spice notes. Fresh acidity with tannic structure. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. $15 a bottle at Wineworks. ABV: 14%

Thank you to the Foundation Board Members who worked tirelessly to get auction items, helped organize and stage the event, and to the Bar members, family, and friends, who came out to enjoy the evening and raise money for the Bar Foundation’s charitable endeavors.  Hope to see you there next year!