3 Affordable, Double Gold Standard Wines To Sip At Home
photo by Rafael Barquero via Unsplash
These award-winning wines are ready to uncork now, and available at most online delivery outlets.
To say that 2020 has not reach double gold standard levels would be an understatement—and we’re not even halfway through it yet! While we’ve been given a bitter taste with what’s happening to the world, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t crave a dribble of something wonderful in our glasses. If we have learned one thing to date, it’s that every day is a celebration worth toasting to. A new wine to try may be exactly what we need to brighten things up.
While the date has had to be postponed as the country seeks to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 10th annual New York International Wine Competition (NYIWC) will take place at some point. Outstanding wines from all over the world are submitted to be judged by a panel of retail wine buyers, sommeliers, restaurateurs, importers, and distributors, who evaluate over a thousand submissions from different categories.
While we await the all clear for a new date, here’s a recap of some of last year’s Double Gold medal winners to enjoy now as you hunker down. All are available to order online through various outlets.
The full list of the 2019 winners is here.
J Vineyards & Winery 2018 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
The 2017 vintage won Double Gold Medal for Chardonnay, Sonoma County, $27
Made from grapes sourced from Sonoma’s cool climate Russian River Valley growing region, the wine is aged nine months in 100% French oak barrels. This full-bodied Chardonnay opens with bright fruit notes of mandarin orange, golden apple, anjou pear, tangerine, and meyer lemon. Giving it a deep contrast are rich hints of toasted hazelnut and vanilla creme brulée, finishing off with caramel toffee and toasted coconut notes.
With its exceptional richness, this white can easily be paired with baked brie served with persimmon chutney. Or enjoy it alongside seafood dishes, chicken pot pie with celery root for mains, and it even pairs well with roasted parsnips.
Beringer Bros. Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Double Gold Medal for Whiskey Barrel-Aged Reds
One of the winery’s latest expressions was aged for 60 days in second-pass, charred American oak bourbon barrels. The wine exudes robust fruit flavors with a satisfying, earthy, dry finish. Rich and warm to start, take in the aromas of vanilla, luscious dark chocolate, with ripe black cherry for integrated acidity. While full-bodied, the wine has a lingering finish with hints of blackberry, toffee, and toasted hazelnuts—you get something soft and candied at the same time!
Perfect with: grilled burgers, roasted chicken, sausage and lentils, mushroom polenta.
Try these wines, or treat yourself or a loved one to a care package from Jet Gift Baskets
Barefoot Merlot
Double Gold medal for Merlot, California
Barefoot believes that wine shouldn’t be taken seriously, and their line of approachable, refreshing, and unconventional drinks, including hard seltzers, truly has something for everyone. Like the quirky persona and casual mood of its branding, Barefoot Merlot, one of the more sophisticated, top tier offerings from the brand, promises interrupted fun with bold personality. It’s a classic red made using the traditional method of crushing grapes barefoot.
At $6 this wine over-delivers for the price. Experience lingering, smooth flavors of blueberry, sweet plums, boysenberries, cherries, and luscious chocolates, and a touch of spice from light oak aging. This fruity and versatile merlot, would actually make a perfect dessert wine for those home baked brownies, or usher in spring by trying it in a spritzer!