What’s the Most Memorable Bottle You’ve Ever Had?
VinePair
August 2025
We all have our favorite wine that we enjoy on a regular basis, but there is always that one bottle of wine that really stands out in our mind. It might be the first bottle you really loved, or the ‘just out of reach’ bottle that you could finally afford, or the bottle that connects you to a special memory with loved ones.
VinePair asked nine wine professionals from across the country to name the most memorable bottle of wine they’ve had. The article states, “while the wines themselves are impressive, often it’s not just what’s in the bottle that makes them so special. Instead, it’s the environment it was enjoyed in and the people it was shared with that made the experience stick out.”
We are delighted that a RIDGE wine was selected as a most memorable bottle. For Paul Brady, then a young sommelier, the trip to California’s wine country was very meaningful to him; it became even more memorable as he was able to share this wine experience with his mother.
“I had done my homework and handed the sommelier my notes — mostly California reds with some age. Almost as an aside, I mentioned that I’d also be curious about any older Ridge Zinfandel not listed on the menu. Her eyes lit up, and she returned with three off-list bottles: ’91, ’92, and ’93. After some discussion and tasting, we chose the 1991. It was everything I hoped for: bright acidity, vibrant Zin fruit, and beautiful layers of secondary character. Drinking it with my mom, just the two of us, made it unforgettable.” — Paul Brady, owner, Paul Brady Wines, Beacon, N.Y.
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