Sheila Gahan, Director, WHPR, shares her favourite wines
"I first became curious about wine when travelling to Europe on holiday. That interest blossomed when, in my early 30s, I spent a lot of time in Paris. I have completed all of the courses, right up to the WSET Diploma. I adored the tasting and the study, and still belong to a number of tasting groups. This year, I started the Wine MBA, based in the Bordeaux Business School. It's something that always interested me, and when my SSIA matured last year, I thought, now's my chance. Increasingly, my holidays revolve around wine. My favourite wine area is Piedmont in northern Italy, for both the scenery and the quality of the wines. The food is good too, and Barolo would be my wine of choice for special occasions.
"It's hard to pick an absolute favourite wine, as I have many, depending on where I am, who I'm with and what's the occasion. At home, I have access to reds thanks to my husband Garratt's collection. Day-to-day purchases tend to be whites, and I go for fresh, aromatic wines such as Albariño from Galicia in northern Spain, Sançerre, or New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.
"But if I have to pick a favourite grape, it is Riesling, and a favourite wine would be the Riesling Gueberschwihr from Domaine Zind Humbrecht (€22.50 from 64 Wine). I visited the winery on a trip to Alsace some years ago and vividly remember tasting the elegant and intense wines, overlooking the scenic vineyards on a beautiful summer's day.
My favourite restaurant would have to be Ely Wine Bar in Dublin. Six years ago our offices moved to a building across the road on Ely Place, making it a very pleasant and popular "local". I really like the newer Ely wine bars, too. Another regular would be the Winding Stair, where they present the wine list in an interesting way, as do Hartley's in Dún Laoghaire.
"It is not easy to choose a favourite shop. On the Grapevine, Mitchells, Searsons and McCabes are all very good and close to home, but 64 Wine in Glasthule would be my ultimate favourite for both range and quality of the wines they stock."