Every year, some of the most discerning palates in wine come together to judge the San Francisco International Wine Competition. They plow through literally thousands of wines in search of the best. If a wine gets a double gold metal or better, it’s eligible for the Tasting Panel Magazine Wine and Spirits Tour, which has stops around the country to show off some of the best in wine and spirits.

This year the tour made its first stop in Portland, and I was able to taste through nineteen wines ranging from $7 a bottle up to $90. Here are some of the wines that stood out:

Pierrier-Jouvet Champagne NV Blason Rose ($75): A simply superb champagne that is lightly sweet and delicate, with beautifully small bubbles, great balance, and a slightly dry finish.

Stoneleigh 2010 Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand ($16): I adore the Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough, and Stoneleigh is classic for this style, with a very floral nose and wonderful gooseberry and grapefruit notes. I’m not typically a white wine drinker, but this style wins me over time and time again.

Target Wine Cube 2010 Pinot Grigio ($16): It’s surprising to see the boxed wine represented in a medal winning tour, but the category has come a long way. When you consider that you are getting the equivalent of four bottles of wine for $16, the quality is fairly surprising. This Pinot Grigio has a nice, bright, green apple nose. Things are a little thin on the palate but for a very casual wine to have out for BBQ’s, it’s not bad for the price.

Quady Winery Vya Sweet Vermouth ($21): A distinctly different sweet vermouth than the other entries in this space, Vya has a sweet nose but its taste is dominated by peppery spice and clove. It’s a nice tool to create more savory fall and winter drinks.

Hearst Ranch Winery 2009 Tempranillo from Pasa Robles ($30): This wine won best Tempranillo at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and I can see why. Packed with flavor, this Tepranillo is bright, bold, and assertive with solid oak. Good to drink now but with some great potential if cellared.

Troublemaker Blend 2, Rhone Blend from Pasa Robles ($18): This wine won best Rhone Blend, and it stood out as one of the best wines of the tour. Troublemaker is soft but flavorful with nice fruit that’s beautifully full and fresh. There’s a nice balance of oak and a hint of delicacy. Pasa Robles Rhone Blends aren’t wines that people typically seek out, but at $18 this impressive wine is worth trying to find.