In the world of winemaking, elegance often comes with a hefty price tag. Today we discuss two brands that have redefined affordability in wine. Woodbridge and Barefoot Wines cater to both experienced and novice wine enthusiasts with impressive yet budget-friendly selections.

Woodbridge Wines, led by the renowned Robert Mondavi, has a history spanning more than four decades. Robert Mondavi had a visionary goal: to make high-quality Californian wines accessible to everyone. In 1979, he founded Woodbridge Winery in Lodi, California, with the clear mission of creating wines with a fruit-forward character perfect for everyday enjoyment. Mondavi's famous saying, "To succeed and have a happy life, you need common sense, a commitment to hard work, and the courage to go your own way," reflects Woodbridge's founding principles.

Woodbridge offers a diverse range of wines, each with its unique character. The following are some of their more popular:

• Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon: A medium-bodied wine with cherry, brown sugar, and oak aromas, complemented by berry, chocolate, and graham cracker flavors. Perfect for grilled meats and pasta with tomato-based sauces.
• Woodbridge Chardonnay: Known for green apple and vanilla aromas, this Chardonnay boasts pear, peach, and oak maple flavors, leading to a rich, toasty finish. Ideal with grilled summer vegetables and fresh fruit.
• Woodbridge Pinot Noir: With hints of strawberry, cherry, and subtle spice, this wine delivers rich, fruit-forward flavors with a toasty oak touch. Great with light red meats and creamy tomato sauce pasta.
• Woodbridge Buttery Chardonnay: Crafted for those who love a richer, creamier Chardonnay, this version offers toasty vanilla and brown spice aromas, along with golden delicious apple and tropical fruit flavors, leading to an indulgent finish. Pairs well with mussels, fried chicken, or pesto pasta.
• Woodbridge Rich Red Blend: Tailored for those seeking a fuller-bodied red wine, this selection boasts plum, dried cherry, and raspberry aromas, with blackberry jam, mocha, and caramel flavors. A versatile choice for smoked gouda burgers, pasta bolognese, and red velvet cheesecake.

In a remarkable blend of quality and affordability, Woodbridge wines cater to a wide range of consumers. Pascale’s Wine & Liquors offers 750ml bottles and cans for $7.99 or 1.5l bottles for $11.77. For those on the move, there's a convenient 500ml 'grab-and-go' resealable option for $4.99. These wines typically have an alcohol content of around 13%-14%.

Barefoot Wines embraces an ethos that strips wine of its seriousness, making it a lively and enjoyable occasion. As the most acclaimed wine brand globally, with over 10,000 awards, Barefoot is on a mission to deliver wines that are as approachable as they are flavorful. They offer various sizes and formats to cater to different tastes and occasions, believing that wine, like life, should be an experience free of unnecessary formality.

Barefoot's story began in 1965 when Davis Bynum, in his Albany, California garage, created the first Barefoot wine—Barefoot Bynum Burgundy. This marked the birth of the brand. In 1986, the brand was renamed Barefoot Cellars and introduced the iconic footprint label. But it was in 1995, with the arrival of winemaker Jennifer Wall, that Barefoot solidified its reputation.

Jennifer Wall, with over 27 years of winemaking experience, has made an indelible mark as the Head Winemaker at Barefoot Cellars, an E. & J. Gallo Winery brand. Since joining Barefoot in 1995, she has played a pivotal role in its transformation from a brand with just four wines to one boasting over thirty labels. Her innovative spirit and commitment to quality have led to Barefoot's wines consistently earning acclaim, with over 10,000 medals in the last decade alone. Jennifer's influence extends beyond the wine itself; she's known for her creative and adventurous approach to winemaking, constantly experimenting with new blends and variations. In one example, her innovative spirit shines through in her introduction of Barefoot Fruitscato, a line of fruit-inspired wines with natural flavors that has not only captured new wine consumers but also added a refreshing twist to the wine market. 

Barefoot Wines offer a diverse array of flavors, each with its own distinctiveness. The following are just a few of their many offerings:

• Barefoot Moscato: A lively white wine with sweet, vibrant notes. It features tropical aromas of pineapple and orange blossom, complemented by peach, honey, and zesty lemon. This wine is a refreshing choice for any occasion.
• Barefoot Cellars Merlot: Luxurious and evocative, this Merlot boasts flavors of boysenberry and ripe cherries, with hints of silky chocolate for a luxurious finish. It received 90 Points from Wine Review Online in September 2020.
• Barefoot Rosé: A delightful blend of cherries and watermelon notes, with a zesty lime twist and a touch of effervescence. Perfect for brunches and sweet desserts.
• Barefoot Fruitscato: This collection of fruit-inspired blends offers flavors like Apple, Pineapple, Lemonade, Mango, Peach, Sweet Cranberry, Watermelon, Strawberry, and Blueberry, delivering surprise and delight with every sip.
• Barefoot Rosé Spritzer: Effervescent and brimming with flavors of peaches, mandarins, sweet raspberries, and red cherries, this Rosé Spritzer is ideal for warm evenings and outdoor barbecues.

Barefoot wines have varying alcohol content levels, ranging from 8% to 13.5%. While these wines aren't labeled as vegan due to the use of traditional fining agents, they are gluten-free. Notably, Barefoot's 3-liter boxed wines remain fresh for up to 30 days after opening.

Both Woodbridge and Barefoot Wines excel in providing high-quality products at affordable prices, yet they employ distinct approaches in their winemaking processes. Woodbridge, guided by the visionary Robert Mondavi, leverages cutting-edge technology and innovative vineyard methods to produce a range of wines known for their fruit-forward and well-balanced profiles. An illustrative example of their innovation is the pioneering use of the "Direct-To-Press" technique for large-scale white wine production.

Conversely, Barefoot Wines places a premium on accessibility and approachability. This commitment has earned them over 10,000 awards and accolades. Their winemaker extraordinaire, Jennifer Wall, is known for crafting flavorful wines that resonate with a broad spectrum of consumers.

Variety is another hallmark of both brands. Woodbridge offers an array of wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon with cherry and oak notes, Chardonnay with a toasty finish, Pinot Noir with fruit-forward flavors, and the luscious Buttery Chardonnay. Their Rich Red Blend caters to those who favor fuller-bodied red wines.

In the Barefoot portfolio, the Moscato stands out with its tropical aromas and refreshing taste, while the Merlot boasts alluring flavors. The Rosé, with its cherry and watermelon notes, and the Fruitscato collection, featuring various fruit flavors, provide diverse options for wine enthusiasts.

In terms of alcohol content, Woodbridge wines typically range from 13% to 14%, with select 'Sessions' options at 8%. In contrast, Barefoot wines span from 8% to 13.5%, offering a versatile selection to suit various preferences.

Woodbridge advises pairing sweet foods with sweeter wines, rich dishes with full-bodied or crisp wines, light fare with delicate wines, and spicy cuisines with sweet or light wines. Bold wines are recommended for strongly flavored dishes. Barefoot extends a similar philosophy, meticulously crafting their wines to complement a variety of cuisines. Their light wines with acid and sweet wines with sugar are designed to balance spicy dishes, while rich foods harmonize with full-bodied wines. Light and crisp wines are versatile partners for a range of foods, and bold wines shine when paired with strongly flavored dishes.

Step 1:
To estimate the amount of wine needed for your event, you can use the following formula: Calculate the approximate number of glasses each guest will consume in an hour and multiply it by the number of guests and the duration of the event in hours. For example, if you expect each guest to consume 2 glasses per hour, and you have 5 guests for a 3-hour event, you would need 30 servings of wine.

Step 2:
Once you have calculated the number of servings needed, you can determine the number of wine bottles required. If you're using standard 750ml bottles, you can divide the number of servings by 5. For instance, 30 servings would require 6 bottles of 750ml wine.

Alternatively, if you prefer larger 1.5L Magnum bottles, you can divide the number of servings by 10. For example, 30 servings would necessitate 3 Magnum 1.5L bottles, which is equivalent to 6 standard 750ml bottles.

To cater to various preferences, it's advisable to select a mix of 50% red wine and 50% white wine. For lighter white wine options, consider Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. If you prefer a richer white wine with a buttery and oaky character, Chardonnay is an excellent choice. For those who enjoy lighter red wines, Pinot Noir is a popular selection, while Cabernet Sauvignon is a preferred option for those seeking a more full-bodied red wine.

When it comes to serving wine, both Woodbridge and Barefoot recommend enjoying it according to personal preferences. However, general guidelines suggest serving red wines slightly chilled (between 58F-65F) and white wines cooler (between 50F-55F). Woodbridge suggests placing red wine in the refrigerator 20 minutes before serving and white or rosé wine for 2 hours. While an ice bucket is a suitable alternative, frozen storage should be avoided for sparkling wines due to the pressure from carbonation.

In conclusion, the world of affordable and high-quality wines comes alive through the offerings of Woodbridge and Barefoot Wines. These brands have excelled in crafting wines that cater to diverse tastes and preferences, without compromising on excellence. Whether you're savoring the fruit-forward delights of Woodbridge or the approachable and flavorful creations of Barefoot, you're sure to find a wine that suits your palate.

To explore the exceptional selection of Woodbridge and Barefoot wines, visit Pascale's Wine & Liquor at 105 Towne Drive, Fayetteville, NY 13066. Our commitment to quality, knowledge, and customer service ensures a delightful wine shopping experience. Should you have any inquiries or require assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at (315) 355-6222.