The Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition, like most every wine competition, provides affirmation for wineries seeking to find out where their wines fit from vintage to vintage. But bragging rights aside, the results are useful for consumers confused by the sheer volume of wines in the marketplace.

Wines that are evaluated in blind tastings during such events as the Winemaker Challenge are singled out for recognition without a hint of bias, which should be reassuring to wary consumers merely looking to find a tasty wine in their price range. Judges know neither the producer nor the price of the wines being evaluated. The medals are awarded strictly on the merits of the wine itself.

In addition to the big winners, V. Sattui (winery of the year) and Castello Banfi (wine of the year), there were other commendable performances worth noting. Space doesn't not permit the naming of all of the outstanding efforts, but complete results are available on the Winemaker Challenge website. The following wineries, however, were particularly impressive.

Barefoot Cellars & Barefoot Bubbly sell more wine in the U.S. than any other brand. There's a reason for that. Across the board, the wines are delicious and inexpensive. The Barefoot Bubbly wines retail for a suggested $9.99, and the Barefoot Cellars wines for $6.99. Winemaker Jennifer Wall and her enology team are master blenders who deliver an astonishing level of consistency despite millions of cases being produced each year. At the Winemaker Challenge, the Barefoot wines captured 23 medals. The haul included one platinum medal and 10 golds.

Cakebread Cellars, a family-run winery, has been a Napa Valley powerhouse for more than three decades. Despite all of its success, it still puts its rep on the line and competes in the major wine competitions. It talks the talk and walks the walk, and at the 2017 Winemaker Challenge, it walked away with four medals of four wines entered, including three golds. And it was a successful debut for Cakebread's new red Bordeaux-style blend, Vaca. The 2013 Vaca ($67) took a gold medal with a score of 93 points.

Cala de Poeti is an Italian brand imported by Wine Insiders. In a stunning performance, it scored three platinum awards — for the 2014 Maremma Toscana DOC ($25), the 2015 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC ($30) and the 2015 Sangiovese, Puglia IGT ($30) — to become one of only three wineries to take three platinum medals. It also won two silver medals.

Domaine Carneros by Taittinger entered two wines and earned platinum for both. The 2012 Carneros Brut ($33) won a score of 95 points, and the 2013 Brut Rose ($39) won 96 points. These are both elegant sparkling wines that compare favorably to fine Champagne. They have an excellent value, and the awards tee them up nicely for Valentine's Day, a time when bubbly flows freely.

Gloria Ferrer, another Carneros sparkling wine specialist, scored three platinums, including best of show sparkling wine with its 2005 Carneros Cuvee ($75), which received 97 points. If you don't believe domestic sparkling wine can age as well as Champagne, think again. The other Gloria Ferrer platinum award-winners were the Blanc de Blancs and the Blanc de Noirs, both for $22.

Menage a Trois is a value brand that retails for $10 to $14. It scooped up 11 medals, including two platinums and three golds. But that paled somewhat in comparison to its sister brand, Sutter Home, which won 13 medals, including two platinum and four gold. The Sutter Home wines have a modest price tag of $6.

Tasting Notes

Wines are rated on a 100-point scale. Wines are chosen for review because they represent outstanding quality or value, and the scores are simply a measure of this reviewer's enthusiasm for the recommended wine.

Marquis de Bacalan 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux AOC, France ($30) — The biggest issue that holds back Bordeaux blanc in the U.S. is price. The top classified chateaux of Graves or Pessac-Leognan often charge more for their white wines than their reds. The solution for fans of white Bordeaux is simple if you know where to look. This Bordeaux AOC white is a superb example of what the region is capable of beyond the famous chateaux. Offering juicy, ripe aromas of white peach and pear, a splash of wood spice and a mouthwatering acidity, this one's a beauty at a modest price. Rating: 95.

Andas 2016 Malbec Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina ($20) — Here's another remarkable value from Argentina, a reserve malbec that likely would fetch a much higher price if the wine were made in California. This vintage from Andas exhibits aromas of blueberry and plum, a smoky, savory note and hints of wood spice. The tannins are supple and smooth, making for easy drinking even at this young age. Rating: 94.

Cala de Poeti 2015 Sangiovese, Puglia IGT, Italy ($25) — Puglia isn't the first Italian wine region that comes to mind for sangiovese, but this expression of the popular Tuscan grape variety demonstrates there is potential in this part of southern Italy. With a gorgeous burst of cherry fruit on the palate and dry, dusty tannins, it could easily pass for a top-notch Chianti. Rating: 93.

Cantharos 2015 Cotes de Gascogne IGP, France ($14) — Southwest France is probably best known for its rustic red wines and sweet whites that are served with the region's most famous cuisine, foie gras. The dry whites are less well-known, and that's a shame because there is an abundance of quality at stunningly low prices. This Cotes de Gascogne from Cantharos offers a nose of stone fruits and baked brioche, and a tart citrus palate. It's utterly delicious and food-friendly. Rating: 92.

Follow Robert on Twitter at @wineguru. To find out more about Robert Whitley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.