In two previous posts, I started counting down the top five wine experiences from my recent trip to Italy. The trip was not focused on wine – I only visited one winery – but it did include a number of unexpected and delightful wine-related encounters that might not have happened on a highly-researched wine-centric itinerary.
The top two experiences on my list sit firmly in that category.
Continue reading “Top Five Experiences on an Italian Journey: The Exciting Conclusion!”
August is shaping up to be the kind of month that makes me happy to be a winelover in Orlando.
There are a TON of exciting new entries on the Events Page, many of which went directly onto my personal calendar as I was updating the site! There’s not time to highlight them all, but a few key words include:
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves! This week holds great promise too.
In my last post, I started counting down my top five wine experiences from my recent trip to Italy. The trip was not wine-centered, but in Italy, wine has a way of reaching out and grabbing you, sometimes even when you don’t go looking for it.
I did go looking for Number Three on my list, though. It was an experience that began in Orlando and ended on a remote patch of land in Tuscany.
Continue reading “Top Five Wine Experiences on an Italian Journey: Part 2 – Montenidoli”
If you follow Orlando Wine Blog on Facebook or Twitter, you know I’ve been in Italy for a couple of weeks. The focus of the trip was family, not wine, but you can hardly take a breath in Italy without also taking a sip of wine. And while I ached to fully immerse myself in winery visits, I did have some very special wine experiences that were almost entirely unplanned and unexpected.
Over the next several posts, I’ll count down my top 5.
Continue reading “Top 5 Wine Experiences on an Italian Journey that Wasn’t about Wine: Part 1”
It feels like the summer doldrums have officially kicked into full swing in Central Florida. It’s so hot and humid that even the wine glasses are sweating … and next week isn’t exactly buzzing with wine events.
But Tim’s Wine Market in Lake Mary-Sanford is doing its part to keep us all cool, with a free tasting of light wines from the pinot family (hint: not just reds) and another featuring that classic poolside favorite, sangria.
If you’re looking to deepen your wine knowledge in a significant way, Orlando’s resident Master of Wine, Jean K. Reilly, is kicking off her latest WSET Level 2 course at Tim’s Wine Market Orlando on Tuesday.
This would also be a great week to check out one or two of Central Florida’s regular weekly wine events, like Swirlery’s Blind Tasting Tuesday or WineStyles’ Tasty Saturdays. You never know, you might get hooked!
Be sure to check out our Events Page for details of these and many other Central Florida wine happenings. There are lots of new listings this week!
Cheers!
Today is Bastille Day, and if you’re a regular reader, you already know about the wine-centered celebrations going on today and tomorrow from last week’s post.
But the French fun doesn’t end there!
Santiago’s Bodega – Altamonte is highlighting the South of France at its monthly wine dinner Wednesday.
And Thursday, Swirlery takes a deep dive into one of the newest darlings of the wine geek world, France’s fun and funky Jura region.
Visit our Events Page for details on these and many other area wine events.
Happy sipping, Central Florida, and enjoy one more week of “Vive la France!”
No longer does France have a monopoly on quality wine – that ship sailed with the “Judgement of Paris” over four decades ago. But in my humble opinion, French wine will never lose its place as the gold standard and sentimental home of the world’s best wines, from great value bottles to luxury cult selections.
Next week, France celebrates 228 years since the storming of the Bastille, a turning point in the French Revolution. What better way to celebrate than with France’s favorite libation?
You can toast the occasion on Bastille Day itself at Swirlery’s daylong celebration next Friday with French wines and food.
Saturday, indulge in another French favorite – cheese! – at Audubon Park Garden District’s 6th annual wine and cheese pairing, hosted by East End Market’s La Femme du Fromage.
Get details for these and lots more Central Florida wine events on our Events Page.
À votre santé!
Tuesday may be a holiday, but there’s no rest for the weary wine lover in Central Florida next week!
Tim’s Wine Market Lake Mary will help you survive the long summer yet to come with a free tasting of “Porch, Patio, & Pool Pounders” on Thursday.
On Friday, Swirlery is heading east with a three-course Thai pop-up dinner with wine pairings.
Check out our Events Page for details of these and many other upcoming wine events in Central Florida.
Happy summer sipping, Central Florida!
Orlando Wine Blog 