For March there could only be one winner, an amazing trip out to Napa and Sonoma with the California Wine Industry. Wast Coast US wine’s got a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. Great trip, great people, and great wines!
“MARCH: Cakebread Merlot, Napa Valley, 2013
In March I went on a wino’s press trip of a lifetime (or for me at least) and headed off to California to visit Napa and Sonoma. Not only did I get to taste some wonderful wines, but I also met some friends for life.
The week gave me a much better feeling for the taste of the wine styles out there, and also helped me put the prices (which can put many off) into a better context. My top wine from there was Cakebread Cellar’s 2013 Merlot.
It’s by no means the best wine I tried out there, but that’s the wine we used when myself, Bruce Cakebread, Eleanor Standon from R&R, and Ashford Castle’s top drawer sommelier, Phillip Dunne, nailed the pizza-pairing competition. If we’d have let him, Phil would still be there drizzling olive oil on it with a teaspoon. Chef would be proud, my lad!”
