Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences

25 years of Orlando wine history live on at “Brown Bag Friday”

On any given Friday afternoon, some of metro Orlando’s most interesting back-vintage wines can be found, not poured by a sommelier in a fancy dining room, but strewn unceremoniously across a back corner table at Antonio’s downstairs cafe and market in Maitland.

For the last quarter century, a small group of wine collectors and enthusiasts has been gathering there each week, bringing treasures from their cellars to share at an invitation-only tasting.

It’s not a dressy or formal affair – many of the guests come in shorts and t-shirts – but the wines they bring are anything but everyday sippers.

Continue reading “25 years of Orlando wine history live on at “Brown Bag Friday”” →

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences

THIS WEEK: 2 Chances to learn from a Master; Plus, Wines from Canada & Connecticut

You may have noticed Jean K. Reilly‘s name pop up on the blog a few times. She’s Central Florida’s only Master of Wine – that’s one of the highest certifications you can get in the field of wine knowledge.

She teaches WSET certification classes around town, but those can be a little pricey and time intensive for the purely recreational wine lover.

This week, Central Floridians have not one but two opportunities to soak in a little of Jean’s knowledge for a fraction of the time and money!

  • Monday, Jean will lead a tasting and class on chardonnays and merlots from around the world at the Rosen School of Hospitality Wine Lab, sponsored by Central Florida Women for Winesense.
  • Thursday, she’ll lead an exploration of sparkling wines at Swirlery Wine Bar.

This week, you also have a couple of chances to try wines from little-known (and almost completely unknown) wine regions.

  • Monday’s “Poutine Palooza” celebration of Canada’s Victoria Day at K Wine Bar includes a tasting of wines from north of the border.
  • Thursday, Tim’s Wine Market Lake Mary-Sanford will hold a tasting of wines from Connecticut’s Sharpe Hill Winery.

Get details for these and many other wine happenings on the Events Page. Cheers!

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences, Winemakers

THIS WEEK: More Bubbles! And a Deadline!

Happy Mother’s Day, Central Florida! Have a wonderful time celebrating Mom tomorrow – hopefully with a brilliant brunch and some bubbles.

The celebration doesn’t have to end there, though!

Bubbles will be the name of the game at The Occasional Grape’s monthly tasting, this time dubbed “Bubbly & Bold.” It’s coming up Thursday, and it looks like a fun lineup.

Also, don’t celebrate so much this weekend that you miss the early bird registration deadline for the Women for Winesense chardonnay and merlot class with Master of Wine Jean K. Reilly. The price goes up after Monday!

Find details for these and many more upcoming wine events at our events page. Cheers!

 

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences, Winemakers

Setting, Stories & Spectacular Wines Make Tim’s Ch. Musar Tasting a 2017 Highlight

There are a lot of great and even grand tasting experiences to be had in the wide world of wine. But every now and then, if you’re lucky, you’ll find yourself at an unassuming, casual weeknight tasting that somehow becomes transcendental. The setting, the people and, most of all, the wines come together to magically transport you to a place far beyond your workaday world.

Last Tuesday’s Chateau Musar tasting  at Tim’s Wine Market Orlando was such an event.

Before you call me overly sentimental or accuse me of having had one too many “tastes,” you must understand that I go to a lot of wine tastings – usually at least two a week and often more. I almost always enjoy them on some level – intellectual, social, or sensory. But for a number of reasons, this one was a cut above and a step beyond.

Continue reading “Setting, Stories & Spectacular Wines Make Tim’s Ch. Musar Tasting a 2017 Highlight” →

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences, Wine News

EVENTS: Glasses, Classes & Oregon Wines

As usual, there are plenty of events to keep you sipping this week in Central Florida.

  • Ever wonder whether the rumors about the shape of a glass affecting the aroma and flavor of a wine are for real or a bunch of marketing hooey? Judge for yourself tomorrow at Tim’s Wine Market – Lake Mary’s casual event, “Does the Glass Make a Difference?”
  • On Wednesday, try the famous Willamette Valley wines of Patricia Green Cellars at Tim’s Orlando.
  • Expand your intellect and your wine knowledge on Saturday at a one-day WSET Level 1 certification class taught by Master of Wine Jean K. Reilly.

Get details for these and many, many more wine happenings on the events page!

 

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 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 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” →