Judith Smelser Wine Experiences, Wine News, Wine Reviews

Parkview Pushes Boundaries with New Flights

For the past three years, The Parkview has been pushing the bounds of oenophilic (that’s really a word!) creativity.

In 2014, Matt Coltrin took over the classy Park Ave. wine bar that was once the Winter Park outpost of downtown’s Eola Wine Company. He has since created a wine list that gently but persistently nudges patrons outside their comfort zones – and in a very smart way.

The Parkview continued Eola Wine Co’s popular program of flights, but Coltrin began sneaking a few lesser-known varietals into the lineups. A Uruguayan tannat could appear next to a Chilean cabernet and an Argentinian malbec. A picpoul de pinet might show up alongside a sauvignon blanc and a pinot grigio.

The strategy meant customers could gamble on a new wine without having to commit to a full glass.

After three years of training, The Parkview must now believe its patrons’ palates have significantly matured – because it’s just debuted two whole flights of some seriously unusual wines.

Continue reading “Parkview Pushes Boundaries with New Flights” →

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!

Judith Smelser Uncategorized, Wine News

NEW! Central Florida Wine Venue Listing

Central Florida is fortunate to have a growing number of wine-centered shops, bars, and tasting rooms – veritable playgrounds for oenophiles. They offer curated selections of wines by the glass and bottle, as well as offer tastings and classes to help wine lovers educate and expand their knowledge and their palates.

Not sure where to start? I’ve compiled a list of my favorites, organized by location. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but rather a work in progress. Check back for updates as I continue to explore the area’s wine locales. (I’ve got a couple on my list already.) Talk about a labor of love!

Is your favorite sipping spot on this list? If not, let me know where I should visit next. Cheers!

Judith Smelser Tastings, Uncategorized, Wine Experiences, Winemakers, Wineries

Colorado Wine – A Different Kind of Rocky Mountain High

Floridians travel to Colorado a lot. Only California and Texas send more tourists to this land of snow and yogis. If you find yourself heading to the Centennial State for some skiing or hiking or yoga (or, ummm, partaking of recreational substances) it’s worth checking out the local wine too.

In a state known – beverage-wise – for beer, and more recently for spirits, winemaking in Colorado has long played third fiddle. And it still does. But on a recent visit, I was pleased to find that the quality of Colorado’s wine is nothing to sneeze at. If you know where to look, you can find some lovely, cool-climate Old World-style wines, some of them even age-worthy.

Continue reading “Colorado Wine – A Different Kind of Rocky Mountain High” →

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences

Spring brings new classes, tastings, & dinners to Orlando’s wine scene

Spring is in the air, and Central Florida’s wine community is getting into the spirit with a plethora of new events.

If you want to refresh your wine knowledge, discover a wine you’ve never heard of, or get serious with a professional wine certification, you’ll find the perfect class among April’s many offerings.

If you want an excuse to strut your fancy new Spring duds, you won’t be out of place at a four-course wine dinner at one of downtown Orlando’s hottest restaurants.

Or, if you just want to kick back with a nice glass of rosé on the porch or by the sea, there’s a tasting coming up where you’re sure to find a new favorite.

Get details about these happenings and many others on our updated wine events calendar. You’re sure to find the perfect event to quench your springtime thirst.

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Judith Smelser Wine News

Two Orlando Wine Leading Ladies to Take Advanced Somm Exam

My journey into the world of wine can be traced back to two women – Jill Davis and Melissa McAvoy.

I met Jill in 2014. She’d just moved to Orlando for a job with an Argentinian importer, and we started chatting when she was pouring for a tasting at The Wine Barn. She was studying for her Certified Sommelier exam at the time, and she asked if I’d like to join her blind tasting group … even though I wasn’t studying for anything and was barely more than a novice.

Continue reading “Two Orlando Wine Leading Ladies to Take Advanced Somm Exam” →