This page is as much for me as it is for you. Too many times I’m introduced to a great little wine while out or at a friend’s place but when I’m at the store faced with a zillion labels I can’t remember the name or most often the vintage I like and end up purchasing the same ‘ol bottles I know and love.

Although I really didn’t get into wine until a few years ago, I grew up with it. My parents have been in the same wine tasting group for 40+ years and there was serious talk of opening a wine shop. This is a pretty typical scene when I go home now:

We conduct wine tastings for fun. Afterwards we drink more wine and eat lots of fresh-caught seafood.

Today, living in the Bay Area of California, I’m surrounded by the thousands of wineries and vineyards that dot Napa, Sonoma, Livermore, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. A little further south I’ve got Santa Barbara wines. I’m in heaven here. However, for all the tastings I’ve done I’m no expert. I simply know what I like and don’t like. When tasting my scoring ranges from “Do you want to finish this one?” to “Ooooh that’s yummy I really like this!” This is what I want to keep track of here. This page is my cheat sheet that I’m going to be able to access on my iPhone while I’m in the wine aisle but also thought I’d give you access, too.

Wines are listed by type and in order, #1 being my top pick but all wines listed are those I like and consistently purchase unless otherwise noted. Like the ones at the very bottom. Those are a few I steer clear of because I know I don’t like them want to avoid wasting more money. Check back often as I keep adding to the list. Also, please comment with a few of your faves for me to try and add to the list!

Cheers!

Chardonnay

1. Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay 2008, Napa - $30 at Bevmo
2. Kirkland Chardonnay 2009, Napa – $7.99 at Costco
3. Talbott Chardonnay 2009, Carmel Valley
4. Bernardus Chardonnay 2009, Carmel Valley
5. Louis Jadot Chassagne-Montrachet 2005, France – $50 online
6. Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2008, Monterey and Santa Barbara – $11.99 at Costco
7. Ridge Vineyards Chardonnay 2007, Monte Bello – $40 at vineyard
8. Shiloh Road Chardonnay 2009, Sonoma – $12 at Bevmo
9. Rapitala Piano Maltese Bianco 2009, Sicily – $27 at Enoteca La Storia
10. Far Niente Chardonnay 2008, Napa – $65 at Enoteca La Storia
11. Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay 2008, California – $13
12. La Crema Chardonnay Los Caneros Chardonnay 2007, Napa – $17 at Costco
13. Louis Jadot Mocon-Villages Chardonnay 2009, France – $9 at Trader Joes
14. Chateau St. Jean 2008 Chardonnay, Sonoma – $9 at Costco

Pinot Grigio

1. Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, Italy – $20 at Costco
2. Kirkland Signature Pinot Grigio 2009, Italy – $8 at Costco

Sparkling

1. Mumm Sparkling Pinot Noir Brut Reserve, Napa, CA – $13 at Target
2. Fortino Winery Almond Sparkling Wine, Gilroy, CA – $12 at Cosentino’s
3. Pol Clement Sec Sparkling Rose, France – $13
4. NV Gosset Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne, France
5. NV Gosset Brut Excellence
6. Bellussi Prosecco Brut – $10 at Costco
7. Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante Champagne – $10 (although I first had it in Italy where it was 2 Euro!)

Rose

1. Savannah Chanelle Rose 2008, Russian River Valley – $12 at Savannah Chanelle
2. Peju Provence 08, Russian River Valley – $20 at Peju Vineyards
3. Savannah Chanelle Rose 2009, Russian River Valley – $12 at Savannah Chanelle
4. Testarosa Novitiate Pinot Noir Rose 2010, $13 at Testarosa

Cabernet Sauvignon

1. Snoqualmie Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Columbia Valley – no longer available.
2. Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa – $23
3. Bogle Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Graton, California – $8.99 at Bevmo
4. Tre by Emilio Gugliermo Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, California – $9.99 at Emilio Gulgielmo Winery
5. Liberty School Caberbet Sauvignon 2008, Paso Robles – $10 Costco

Pinot Noir

1. Rex Hill Pinot Noir 2007, Willamette Valley, OR. $26 at Bevmo
2. Kathryn Kennedy
3. Bernardus 2008
4. Robert Stemmler Pinot Noir 06, Caneros, CA
5. Savannah Chanelle Pinot Noir 2009 Insider’s Club, Sonoma Coast – $40 ($24 Wine Club)
6. Savannah Chanelle Pinot Noir 2009, Russian River Valley
7. Paraiso Pinot Noir 08, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA.

Zinfandel

1. 2008 Layer Cake Primitivo, Puglia, Italy – $13 at Bevmo
2. 2009 Castle Rock, Mendocino County, CA – $8
3. 2008 Ridge Geyserville Zinfandel, Alexander Valley, CA – $28
4. 2008 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, CA – $35
5. 2008 Old Ghost Zinfandel, Lodi, CA – $36 at Bevmo
6. 2007 Punta Aguila Primito Zin…. Puglia, IT

Merlot

1. 2008 181 Cellars Merlot, Lodi – $9.99 Bevmo

Steer Clear

1. Toasted Head
2. Barefoot
3. Query Pinoit Noir
4. Guenoc Lillie’s Claret ’09 – boring