Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences

Wine Geeks Rejoice! Rosé blind tasting contest, Jura & “Wild Wine” events this week!

If you’re a wine geek like I am and you’re in Central Florida this week, trust me, you’re going to wish you could clone yourself.

First off, Swirlery is hosting what might be (complete conjecture but I bet it’s true) Orlando’s first rosé blind tasting contest on Tuesday.

Of course, most rosés are not geeky at all. They’re what you drink when you want to kick back on your porch or by the pool. A rosé blind tasting, on the other hand, is pretty darned geeky. Make it a contest, and you’re into the realm of the super-geeky.

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Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences

Two Tastings TONIGHT! Three Continents Next Week!

It’s going to be a busy week for Orlando wine lovers, and it all starts with two tastings TONIGHT!

If you’re on the north side of town, you can help Steve Butler and his team celebrate three years of owning Tim’s Wine Market Lake Mary-Sanford with a party featuring wine tastings, snacks, and special deals.

If you’re on the south side, head to Vintage Vino in Kissimmee for “Couples Night,” where two local wine industry couples will tell their stories and share some of their favorite wines.

Next week, Orlando’s wine scene takes on a decidedly international flavor. These events will let you visit three continents without ever leaving Central Florida.

Plus, this week offers chocolate, cheese, and wine at Quantum Leap, seafood and wine at Paddlefish, and even more wine events that I don’t have room for. Check out the Events Page for all the details.

Happy travels!

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences

Riesling, Talley & a Deadline

Orlando wine lovers have some eclectic options this week.

The splashy headliner is the first anniversary celebration of 1921 by Norman Van Aken, featuring a chefs’ collaboration with Osprey Tavern and wine pairings from Talley Vineyards.

The sleeper favorite is a riesling class at Tim’s Orlando, focusing entirely on dry examples of this often misunderstood but well-loved varietal.

Early bird pricing for Women for Winesense’s anniversary event at Luma’s cellar room ends this week too.

Visit our Events Page for details on these and lots more Central Florida wine happenings in August and beyond.

Cheers!

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences

Orlando’s Week in Wine: Do some good, Raise your knowledge

I don’t usually list charity fundraisers on the Events Page … but then, charity fundraisers don’t usually happen at places like Eola Wine Company.

For the next two Wednesdays, the downtown wine bar will host “Wine Wednesdays” as part of Taste Central Florida, a series of events benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.  Not only is the cause worthy, but at a place like Eola, you can bet the wines will be too.

Also next week, Tim’s Wine Market Orlando holds its popular “Educated Consumer” class. It used to be called “Elements of Wine” – and still is at Tim’s Lake Mary, where it’s being offered later in the month.

I took this fascinating class years ago, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It was oe of the first steps in my transition from run-of-the-mill wine consumer to all-out wine geek. If you love wine and want to begin to really understand it, this is the class for you.

Visit the Events Page for details on these and so many more great August wine events happening in Central Florida!