Layer Cake Wines

Jayson Woodbridge was inspired by his grandfather and grandmother who made (and enjoyed!) wine for 80 years. Every Sunday, his grandmother would bake a layer cake for dessert, and his grandfather would explain that the soils in which the vines lived were similar to a layer cake — and that if wine is made properly from these vines, the wine itself would be like a layer cake rich with fruit, mocha, chocolate and hints of spice.

“Never pass up a good layer cake,” his grandfather would say.

Woodbridge conceived Layer Cake Wines as a homage to his grandfather, with the goal of crafting wines that are stunningly good, yet affordable enough to be enjoyed every day. His first step toward this goal was to taste a couple hundred California wines priced between $10 and $30; he was appalled by what he found — and came away inspired all the more “to blow people away with a $15 wine that tastes like a $50 wine.”

He succeeded. Called “the ultimate in affordable luxury” by Food and Wine Magazine, Layer Cake Wines are handmade in some of Woodbridge’s favorite wine regions around the world. Woodbridge and his winemaking team work with small family growers, rigorously selecting only the very best fruit to produce a Shiraz from Australia’s Barossa Valley; a Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina; an old vine Primitivo (a.k.a. Zinfandel) from Puglia, Italy; a Virgin Chardonnay from the Central Coast of California; and a Cabernet Sauvignon from California.

Let’s take a closer look at two of them.

The Layer Cake Shiraz, South Australia 100% Pure Shiraz 2009

This estate-grown Australia Shiraz is handcrafted with rich mocha aromas that lead to an explosion on the palate with rich raspberry, black cherry and chocolate flavors. You can serve this wine with grilled steaks and lamb chops. It also pairs well with mild cheeses and spicier pizzas or a seafood dish like grilled salmon.

The Layer Cake Malbec, Mendoza Argentina 100% Alluvial Grown Malbec 2009

This Malbec is a powerhouse of lush black fruit that leads to a rich creamy texture of jam on the palate. It will stand and perform any time you think of a Cabernet and want something a little more exotic. It pairs well with grilled steaks and chops.

You can find these wines at Acme Fresh Markets, Buehler’s Fresh Foods, West Point Market, 750ml, Papa Joe’s, Mustard Seed, Fishers and other fine wine retails. Both wines retail for around $15.99.

Cheers!

Rick Rodger is a manager at Heidelberg Distributing Company.