This weekend is going to be a boozy one with Ascot on the Saturday so I’m holding off from wine at home until then. However, I thought I’d jot down some notes about an amazing wine from the Napa Valley region that I had the pleasure of trying at a friend’s wedding to keep you going until the weekend.

I live in Rutland and through being in the area, became friends with a couple who lived in my village, Ben and Taylor. Ben has lived in this area for a long time, but Tay’s actually a charming Californian. Ben, Taylor, myself and a few others started a wine club called Ketton Wine League (shout out to #kwl.) We were all members of Naked Wines at the time, I’ve cancelled my membership to try new things but I think Ben is still a loyal customer. We took it in turns to order a box and then have a trying session, it usually got very out of hand but taught us a lot about what we all liked, turns out we just love wine.

Fast-forward a couple of years and I was absolutely over the moon to be invited to their wedding over the pond in the USA!

The wedding was in May this year and I started my trip sans company (my favourite sort of travelling) exploring San Francisco. Sausalito is now one of my favourite places in the world after that cycle ride over the Golden Gate bridge. I tried many wines but it was before I’d planned on telling you about them…so unfortunately I’ll have to go back another time and make some detailed notes on the goodies.

The wedding itself was just outside the city in a place called Emerald Hills, near Redwood City. It was a stunning day, the sun was shining and the wedding venue was perfect. Now, I could tell you all about how beautiful Tay looked, the hilarious speeches the guys and gals did but this is a wine blog so we’re going to talk about a Chardonnay called Rombauer instead.

Tay is obsessed with Rombauer, it’s her all time favourite wine. So when Ben’s brothers surprised her on the day with a Salmanazar and plenty to go round everyone else, you can imagine she was thrilled.

I was still in a stubborn and frankly boring ‘I don’t like white wine’ phase at the time but it was actually Rombauer that got me out of it. It is such an unusual Chardonnay.

Rombauer Vineyards

Chardonnay, 14.5%

Carneros, USA

This is the best white I have ever had, ever. I’m 24 and I have gone through a dry spell (pun intended) on the white wine front but I am back on the wagon. The best way to describe Rombauer is buttery, imagine a beautiful blonde Californian saying “I know it’s just so buttery right?” And it is, deliciously smooth, buttery and at the same time fruity and refreshing. The average price over here is £28 but this is a very special wine, it has won numerous awards and commendations from respected critics. If you can find a reason to celebrate, say a Monday night, I recommend you treat yourself to a Rombauer.