Uncorked: Layer Cake

Jayson Woodbridge is at it again with his new additions to his wine portfolio from around the world. Woodbridge is now making a Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain and a Cabernet and Chardonnay from California.

Woodbridge was inspired by his grandparents who made and enjoyed wine for 80 years. Every Sunday, his grandmother would bake a layer cake for dessert. Woodbridge would learn from his grandfather that the soils in which the vines lived were just like a layer cake. He would explain that “if properly made, the wine from these vines was like a delicious cake layered with fruit, mocha, chocolate and hints of spice – and rich, always rich.” Woodbridge has learned to look for outstanding soils to make his Layer Cake wines. The goal of his wines is a tribute to history, family, time, soil and, according to Woodbridge, something that can only be handmade!

>> Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles and Alexander Valley is a 100-percent Cabernet. Woodbridge says this Layer Cake Cabernet definitely shows its Paso side, with a prominent nose of concentrated black fruit, smoked meat and dark chocolate. Rich and layered in the mouth, it’s full of blackberries, Bing cherries and silky, elegant structure. Try this Cab with grilled meats like steaks, roast beef, rack of lamb or with aged Gouda cheese.

>> Layer Cake Chardonnay has it in the bottle again with this great valued Chardonnay. The fruit for this wine comes from the vineyards around Monterey and Santa Barbara. This virgin Chardonnay (not aged in oak) is a serious wine for the money. Woodbridge describes it this way: “the layers of Kaffir lime, guava and pineapple pour in at first, and then the light creamy texture of whipped lemon fills in the flavor palette.” The finish is clean, crisp and would be an excellent match for roasted or grilled chicken, tuna or a nice risotto with seafood.

>> Layer Cake Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain is a rich and powerful Garnacha, very layered aromatically with fresh red stone fruit, spice and hints of leather and tobacco. On the palate, the wine shows intense dark fruit with a background of chocolate and coffee with a long creamy finish. Pair this wine with Asian spicy noodles, risotto dishes or barbecued pork ribs.

You can find these wines at Acme Fresh Markets, Buehler’s Fresh Foods, West Point Market, Regency, Giant Eagle, 750ml, Mustard Seed Market, Papa Joe’s and other fine retailers in the Greater Akron area. All three wines retail for $14.99.

As Woodbridge’s grandfather would say, “Never pass up a good Layer Cake!” Cheers!

/ Rick Rodger is a manager at Heidelberg Distributing Company.