Hey folks, I’m getting some great feedback on the Contra Costa County wines story in today’s Food section, so thanks. Some of you have asked which one is my fave, or what I would recommend as a good example of the region’s capabilities. I think the best ones coming out of the area are reds, and here’s three that prove it:

My top CC wine that’s affordable, good for everyday drinking and smells faintly of roses is Hannah Nicole Vineyards Red Table Wine. It’s either $10 or $14 and you can find all their wines at the BevMo! in Walnut Creek.

I also love love love Cline’s Zinfandels, they’re peppery and smooth. All of them are worth trying. These are everywhere.

Ca’na, the label of Tamayo Family Vineyards, puts out some fabulously meaty syrahs. The 2002 is great at $20. You should be able to find Ca’na at BevMo!

Corks off to my fellow sassy drinkers at Wine X Magazine. Not only do they weave witty wine tales, the people are geniuses. For serious. They’ve designed wine varietals by Jelly Bean kits, trying to help our palates once and for all find the licorice in petite sirah.

Each varietal kit comes with a carefully-paired selection of jelly beans (cabernet sauvignon features four berries, plum, licorice and Dr. Pepper; add buttered toast, chocolate pudding and french vanilla for California cabs. French? Pop a dirt Jelly Bean). A half-pound will run you $27 and feed a party of 25. No, there’s no mold jelly bean in the chardonnay kit. Order them online at www.jellybeanwinebar.com. Genius.

I’m always looking for good classes. Polish the old palate and learn a thing or two, eh? In the past few years, Jenny and I have taken worthwhile classes at Solano Community College and BevMo! Here’s another one we’re signed up for in Lafayette at the end of August. It’s all about Italian wines, something my California-honed palate could always use more of. There are still 12 or so slots open. Join us!

Enrollment in Wine Tasting 101 Series - Italy Uncorked; First meeting: Thursday, August 31, 2006, 6:30 to 9pm. Location: Sequoia Room at Lafayette Community Center; 500 Saint Mary’s Road Lafayette, CA 94549
The price is $27.00. Please bring 5 wine glasses to class. 15 dollar supply fee payable to the instructor on the first night. For more info, go to www.lafmor-recreation.org.

Friday was a quintessential Livermore Valley night. Mom was visiting, so we escaped to Wente to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the restaurant and the concert series. Fifth-generation winemaker Karl Wente, all 6′7” of him clad in a red dinner jacket and a platinum mop to boot, unveiled two fabulous wines: the Twente Chardonnay, which paired deliciously with a butter lettuce salad, and a Cab-Syrah, strong and smoky, which we had with beef carpaccio. We rocked out to Busta-Groove — the whole place was up and dancing — and schmoozed with Christine Wente, Karl’s sister, and took in golden rolling hills and sandstone caves. The party was a blast, and no doubt packed with Wente’s loyal wine club members. Didn’t have a chance to take mom to Napa, but I’m glad. Livermore’s got its own magic. Now she can tell everyone in So Cal about it.

No joke. Steven Spurrier, the wine merchant who arranged the original Paris vs. California tasting in 1976, has confirmed talks with Clear Pictures Entertainment to make a blockbuster about the legendary tasting that got the royal treatment by the media last month. Yours truly included.

Anyway, looks like Hugh Grant and Jude Law have been mentioned to play a young Spurrier, who was 34 when he arranged the first tasting. They intend to focus the film on the interplay between Spurrier and the Californians rather than the French angle, ending with the triumph of the Californian ‘underdogs’ in 1976. If Reese Witherspoon can fake a French accent, we see her playing Magrit Mondavi.

Just got word that the Times Wine Club dinner at Wente which was scheduled for June 6 has been canceled until further notice. Those in charge at the Times, Bevmo and Wente will be in touch to wine club members who signed up for this event. Apologies!

So the Judgment will not die, as several people have asked me for a full lists of the young wines. Here’s the list below, complete with prices. Cheers. Oh, and salut. Don’t forget to note the broad price differences, even within varietals.

Chardonnay:

Talley Rosemary’s Vineyard 2002, $45; Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard 2004, $50; Ramey Hyde Vineyard 2002, $56; Mount Eden 2002, $35; Chateau Montelena 2003, $38; Peter Michael Point Rouge, $175.

Cabernet Sauvingnon:

Clos du Val Reserve 2000, $95; Shafer Hillside Select 2001, $175; Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 2001, $160; Joseph Phelps Insignia 2002, $175; Ridge Monte Bello 2000, $120; Staglin Family Vineyard 2001, $170.

Red Bordeaux:

Chateau Montrose 2000, $150; Chateau Latour 2000, $600; Chateau Haut-Brion 2000, $600; Chateau Leoville-las-Cases 2001, $90; Chateau Margaux 2000, $600; Chateau Rauzan Segla 2000, $95.

White Burgundy:

Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Pucelles 2002 Domain Leflaive, $160; Mersault Premier Cru Charmes 2002 Domaine Roulot, $250; Beaune Premier Cru Clos des Mouches 2002 Domaine Drouhin, $70; Batard Montrachet Premier Cru Les Caillerets 2002 Louis Jadot, $65; Corotn-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2003 Donaime Bonneau du Martay, $95.