MY INTRODUCTION to wine was while living in London, writes Sandra Mooney
What amazed me was the variety of wines on offer in restaurants and wine bars and how little I knew about them. My curiosity was aroused, so on my return to Dublin I immediately signed up for a six-week wine-appreciation course. An early memory was attending a Spanish wine tasting and being introduced to the wines of the Ribera del Duero region. Ever since then, I have had a soft spot for the Tempranillo grape, as it is always so versatile and easy to drink.
While studying at Ballymaloe, my passion for wine fully ignited, thanks to Tom Doorley's fun and fascinating wine tutorials. This was where I also learnt the importance of matching food with wine. I enjoy cooking for family and friends and matching wine with food, but I often choose the wine before the food!
The ultimate challenge after Ballymaloe was to study for the WSET Diploma in Wine and Spirits, the internationally recognised trade qualification. The course was very demanding but gave me confidence in the subject and a much broader knowledge of everything relating to wine, from soil types to the wine-making process itself.
I bring my wine knowledge in to work through hosting wine-tastings for colleagues and assisting with organising corporate wine-tastings for clients. I am also secretary of the wine club for WSET diploma graduates, known as "The Certified Dipsos". The club organises monthly tastings on specialist subjects at Berry Bros & Rudd. We also have an annual trip abroad to a wine region. I still recall my amazement at seeing my first vines on the steep slopes of the Mosel Valley in Germany and now know that German Riesling is one of the greatest white wines in the world. Other memorable visits to wine regions included trips to the Rhone Valley, northern Italy, Burgundy and Portugal. A particularly fond memory is of the Dipso gang collectively climbing the Hill of Hermitage in the Rhone Valley after a hard day's wine-tasting. Also, visiting Chateau Beaucastel and then popping in to the Valrhona chocolate factory for a chocolate tasting at Tain L'Hermitage.
I do not have a particular favourite wine but always love Pieropan Soave from northern Italy, as it is consistently good soave from a brilliant producer. My current favourite red wine is La Source 2006 from Château Haut Garrigue in Bergerac, east of Bordeaux, which is a blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon and absolutely gorgeous. I also love champagne, including Louis Roederer and Bollinger, and got to visit their cellars last year. Sweet wines are another favourite, including Farnito 1986 Vinsanto del Chianti and Chapoutier Terra Vinya 2001. I have a preference for Old World wines, mainly from France and Italy, but enjoy experimenting.To me, wine is about enjoyment and sharing the moment with like-minded people.
TWO TO TRY Château Haut Garrigue La Source 2006. The white is available from O'Briens at €11.99. The red is available direct from the website at €13.95. See www.hautgarrigue.com
Pieropan Soave is available at €17.95 from Donnybrook Fair; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Drinkstore, Stoneybatter; Hollands of Bray; Lilac Wines, Fairview; McCabes, Blackrock; Power and Smullen, Lucan; Red Island, Skerries; 64 Wine, Glasthule; On The Grapevine, Dalkey and Booterstown; and Enowine, Monkstown and IFSC.
• Sandra Mooney works in the banking group of Matheson Ormsby Prentice solicitiors.