Judith Smelser Tastings, Uncategorized, Wine Experiences

Bubbles, Chocolate, & Master Somms!

Are you seeking a little decadence as we slip into Florida’s sultry summer? You’re in luck!

  • If you act fast (registration ends today), you can still get in on unlimited bubbly and lunch at Cooper’s Hawk this Sunday with Central Florida Women for Winesense Sunday Funday.
  • Later in the week on Thursday, indulge with wine and chocolate pairings at Swirlery.

Also, an early heads-up about a wine dinner at 1921 with not one, not two, but THREE Master Sommeliers. It’s May 11, and I imagine it’ll be worth the trip to Mt. Dora.

Check out our events page for all the details on these and many other Central Florida wine happenings.

Cheers!

Judith Smelser Small Sips, Tastings, Wine Experiences

Small Sips: Opici’s Spring Tasting Hints at New Arrivals for Central Florida Wine Lovers

“Small Sips” is a new, short & sweet feature showcasing wine events around Central Florida.

Opici Family Distributing holds a couple of trade tastings a year to show off its new arrivals and current standouts to somms and wine buyers from across Central Florida.

The spring event on Monday at Cafe de France on Park Avenue provided a sneak peak of wines that may be coming soon to your favorite bar, shop, or restaurant.

Here are a few highlights:

  • Albert Bichot Burgundies
    Great range, from entry level Beaujolais to Premier Crus – hard to pick a favorite

  • Krone rosé cuvee brut, Tulbagh, South Africa
    Champagne method, refreshing without being simple. (Expect to see this by the glass at a Park Ave. establishment yet to be named!)

  • Leeuwenkuil grenache noir 2015, Swartland, South Africa
    Soft, easy-drinking, lots of fruit

  • Groot Constantia pinotage 2014, Western Cape, South Africa
    A good introduction to pinotage, without so much smokiness and tannin

  • Markus Schneider riesling 2015, Pfalz, Germany
    Crisp, tangy, lots of minerality – everything you want from a dry riesling

  • Left Coast Cellars pinot noirs, Willamette Valley, Oregon
    Interesting line of single-vineyard pinots, plus a fun white pinot and a rosé of pinot
Judith Smelser Uncategorized

THIS WEEK: Spanish Wine & Food … and Sunday Funday!

Central Florida’s coming week in wine has a definite Spanish flavor, thanks to two Tim’s Wine Market locations.

  • Tim’s Sanford-Lake Mary kicks things off with an authentic Serrano ham carving and Rioja wines.
  • Later in the week, Tim’s Orlando hosts its second annual paella night with a big pan of the Spanish specialty and 20 Spanish & Portuguese wines.

If you’re still hungry and thirsty after all that, you can join Central Florida Women for Winesense for Sunday Funday at Cooper’s Hawk I-Drive with lunch and free-flowing bubbly.

As always, these events are subject to availability. Get details on the events page!

Judith Smelser Uncategorized

NEW Classes, Tastings, & Events

There’s an eclectic mix of offerings on Central Florida’s wine calendar in the coming week.

  • Compare Napa & Sonoma to the up-and-comers in the rest of the world at Tim’s
  • Pair Greek wine, food, and film at Swirlery
  • Take your pick of a couple of weekend charity events that promise better-than-your-average-charity-event wine selections.

Get details for these and more upcoming wine events on the events page!

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences

NEW WINE EVENTS!

The lovely lineup in the photo above came from The Occasional Grape‘s “Rosé and Summer Sippers” tasting last night. I discovered a few new favorites, including a fun and funky rosé of nebbiolo from Proprieta Sperino!

If you missed that or any of the other great wine events in Central Florida this week, not to worry. There are lots more coming up.

  • BevFly celebrates its third anniversary tomorrow with – what else – a wine tasting.
  • Tim’s Orlando showcases weird and wonderful wines that you don’t know about but should on Wednesday.
  • Swirlery gets festive Thursday with a Spring Fling tasting.

Check out the calendar and start sipping!