Welcome to a new series of blog posts, taking a behind-the-glass look at D&D’s top sommeliers discovering what set them off on a course to follow the vines and take life by the grapes!
Introducing Charlie McSweeney, the Paternoster Chophouse Sommelier, who “loves the good stuff”…
First memory of wine?
Family dinners at my Grandparents. They always had “the good stuff”. This is the time I owe a lot of my passions too – food, drink, sports results etc.
First job working in the industry?
I was a bartender in Kent. Then I was given an opportunity to run a wine cellar which I snapped up and never looked back.
Biggest wine-geek passion?
I have really been very lucky and spoiled by so many trips to vineyards and tastings with so many bright wine people; but the one thing that I am very passionate about is the quality us Brits are now bringing to wine industry – it is great for us somms to be using local produce in London and not just the chefs.
Favourite region at the moment?
Douro – there is so much going on and a new approachable style has been creeping out of Portugal for some time now and is going down amazingly.
Most indulgent bottle?
Post Scriptum de Chryseia 2011 – What a wine! It’s the best wine in its price point by a long way, anywhere in the world!
Seasonal pairing?
Working in a chop house I would have to drink this with the great rump steaks we are selling.