Wine Report from the Fort
The best wines tasted at the Fort this year
By Fred McMillin

Of the many, many wines we tasted at the Fort this year, which where the most popular?
Well, some were not low cost, with the favorite Chard at $70 and Cab at $85, but there were bargains, too – eight of the favorites were below $20. So, without further adieu, here are all 22:

Whites
Chardonnay: Jarvis Winery (Reserve) Napa Valley 2006, $70
Gewurztraminer: Kenwood Vineyards Sonoma County 2007, $11
Pinot Gris: Lake Sonoma Winery Russian River Valley 2007, $17
Sauvignon Blanc: Mayacamas Vineyards Napa Valley 2006, $30
Viognier: Joseph Phelps Vineyards Napa Valley 2006, $50

Pink
Rosato di Sangiovese: Valley of the Moon Sonoma County 2007, $16

Sparklers
Brut Rosé: Domaine Carneros Napa Valley NV, $36

Reds
Barbera: Sunset Cellars Napa Valley 2004, $22
Cabernet Sauvignon: Flora Springs Napa Valley 2004, $85
Carignane: Deaver Amador County Signature 2002, $23
Malbec: Bodegas Tapiz Mendoza (Argentina) 2006, $18
Merlot: Jarvis Napa Valley 2005, $70
Petite Sirah: Silkwood Stanislaus County 2004, $39
Pinot Noir: Gary Farrell Russian River Valley 2002, $38
Rioja: Contino Estate Reserva (Spain) 1999, $42
Sangiovese: Valley of the Moon Sonoma County 2005, $16
Syrah: Steele Sonoma County Parmellee Hill Vineyards 2005, $28
Tempranillo: Shenandoah Amador County ReZerve 2004, $24
Zinfandel: Sobon Estate Amador County Rocky Top 2004, $18

Dessert
Muscat: (tie)
Beni di Batasiolo Moscato d’Asti (Italy) 2006, $16
Quady Orange Muscat California Electra 2005, $11
Port: Story California Mission 2004, $30

Try it before you buy it! Take a wine class
Saturday, 1 p.m., 20 wines, at Fort Mason.
Dec. 13: Taste the Terms – Taste wines that illustrate the 100-plus terms used to describe wine.

Many people take the “Terms” class over again because the wines and terms are different each time. To enroll or wait-list, phone San Francisco City College at 415-561-1840, or visit www.ccsf.edu/Services/Continuing Education.

Credits: Edgar Vogt (Tastings); Ophelia Mercado (Statistics)

Fred McMillin was voted one of the best wine writers in the United States by the Academy of Wine Communications. Phone him with questions at 415-563-5712 or fax him at 415-567-4468.