2020 Favorite Wines of the Year with Tom Simoneau

California Wine Country today has Tom Simoneau in the studio with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger, to present his favorite wines of 2020. At the end of this episode they speak with Joy Sterling, from Iron Horse Winery, which is Tom Simoneau's 2020 Winery of the Year. Here are the wines presented by Tom and Steve. Today's page was written by Tom Simoneau. He can be reached at [email protected]. Best Whites Sparkling Wine: Iron Horse Vineyards 2016 Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blancs, Green Valley, $55. This sparkling wine is a limited edition bottling. Iron Horse gives $4 a bottle to National Geographic’s Ocean Initiative. Crisp, delicate, nice and dry. This 100% Chardonnay Sparkler is just that “sparkling” bubbles with a cause. ironhorsevineyards.com Chardonnay: Clos Pegase 2018 Carneros Napa Valley, Mitsuko’s Vineyard, Estate Grown, $30. From this iconic Napa Valley winery, this wine with its classic cool region Chardonnay flavors of peach, apple, and pear shows how this varietal grown in the right place can produce an almost perfect wine. The vineyard, 365 acres in size, takes its name from founder Jan Shrem’s late wife.  clospegase.com Sauvignon Blanc: J. Lohr Estates 2019 Flume Crossing, Arroyo Seco, Monterey, $14. The blend is entirely from the Sauvignon Musque Clone picked over a month’s time at different ripeness levels. Early picks give bright acidity and key lime flavors while more ripeness gives grapefruit and passion fruit. And the final pick achieves mango and fig notes, complex and delicious. Another terrific release from J. Lohr, one of California’s finest. jlohr.com Off Dry White: Dry Creek Vineyard 2019 Dry Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, $16. Congratulations to founder Dave Stare and his family for continuing to produce Chenin Blanc while other wineries gave it the Sideways treatment (ie. - Anything but Merlot.) This slightly sweet wine is perfect as a summer sipper showing bright mouth feel, all orange blossom and candied lemon. drycreekvineyard.com Alternative White: Priest Ranch Wines 2018 Grenache Blanc, Napa Valley, Estate Grown, $22. Not familiar with Grenache Blanc? It’s an aromatic white wine. Think biting into a ripe white peach and as the juice runs down your chin, lick it all up. The taste is bracing, yet balanced. It’s intoxicating! The Priest Ranch is now part of the 1,615 acre Somerston Estate of which 215 acres is planted to grapes. Also available in 375ml cans – 6 packs $60. priestranchwines.com Best Value White: Inman 2019 Vin Soave, DOC Classico, $16. This product of Italy’s Veneto region is 100% Garganega. How many new friends have you made this year? Well, I say this Vin Soave could be your new best friend. The flavors are a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc with a hint of Viognier, a crowd pleaser. dallaterra.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Most Fun Wine: Prosecco by Korbel, D.O.C. Sparkling Wine Product of Italy, 187 ml bottles, $5.25. Korbel, always a trend setter, now has a full line of mini-bottles. Pop the top (unscrew), insert a straw, and you’re good to go. Prosecco is a screaming category of sparkling wine accounting for $1 in every $5 spent. Prosecco facts: made in the Charmat process, tank fermented from the Glera grape grown in the Veneto in North Eastern Italy. korbel.com Rosé: Inman Family 2019 Endless Crush, Rosé of Pinot Noir, OGV (Olivet Grange Vineyard), Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, $38. The word delicate defines this wine. From its delicate pink color to its delicate pink kiss on your palate. All watermelon and wild strawberry… delicate and delicious. Kathleen Inman is a master winemaker who happens to be a woman. inmanfamilywines.com Sweet Wine: