I was recently invited to a small dinner with Dennis Cakebread of Cakebread Cellars. I know, close your mouth, I was equally shocked.

Now, I don’t want to fall all over myself but I do consider Cakebread to be a benchmark California winery. They have an iconic Chardonnay that may be the very definition of a California Chard. But frankly it is their reds that really get my attention. Big, sweetly-oaked Pinot Noirs, abundantly aromatic Syrahs and elegant, well-balanced Cabs that are nicely acidic.

Many of the styles and trends (for better or worse…) we associate with California wines began because pioneers like the Cakebread family saw the potential of the California climate and terroir of the Napa valley.

Still, I am not here to discuss California wine styles. That’s not what I do. That's not my thing.

But I do want to talk about what to serve with this excellent wine. And make no mistake it is an excellent wine with a price point to match. So whatever recipe we develop needs to be equally special.