Judith Smelser Beyond Central Florida, Tastings, Wine Experiences, Wineries

Finger Lakes Wine: Much More Than Riesling

Orlando has been buzzing about New York’s Finger Lakes wine country lately.

Central Florida Women for Winesense sent a hefty delegation there in July for the national organization’s “Grand Event”; fellow Central Florida blogger Melissa Radley-McConnell of Time to Unwine-d visited the area this summer too.

So when I ended up there last week, I felt a little late to the party. But it was definitely better late than never – especially since I was there during harvest!

Frank harvest
Sorting newly-harvested grapes at Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery

Whirlwind Tour

I had just one day to hit the highlights of this beautiful and prolific wine region, so I chose four wineries to visit: Dr. Konstantin Frank, Ravines, Hermann J. Wiemer, and Standing Stone.

My itinerary spanned two lakes, with stunning vistas and early fall colors around every turn, and a wide array of grape varietals and winemaking styles.

The Finger Lakes have won national and international acclaim for rieslings, and the varietal remains the regional specialty. But the area has diversified into many other varietals too; and while I’m a huge riesling fan – I even hosted a riesling tasting at my house recently – I was even more captivated by some of those other grapes.

Continue reading “Finger Lakes Wine: Much More Than Riesling” →

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences, Winemakers

The People Behind the Wine, Plus a Celebration Wine Dinner

It’s always fun and educational to meet the “Man (or Woman) Behind the Curtain” of your favorite wine. You’ll have three opportunities to do so in Central Florida next week.

On Tuesday, Tim’s Wine Market in Windermere hosts Bruce Neyers, owner of Neyers Vineyards in Napa, for a free tasting of his wines. I had the pleasure of meeting Bruce and his wife Barbara a couple of years ago – I was charmed by both of them and by their wines.

If you perused the Events Page early and often enough, you might’ve snagged tickets to The Wine Room‘s sold-out Grgich Hills tasting on Thursday with winery manager (and founder Mike Grgich’s daughter) Violet Grgich.

Also on Thursday, you can visit with Orlando’s own chef-winemaker Jamie McFadden of Snowbirds Vintners Thursday when he hosts one of Swirlery Wine Bar’s Somm Sessions. Jamie is also the owner of Cuisiniers Catering and an all-around good guy. I wrote about his fun and juicy rosé earlier this summer.

One more thing – if you can’t make it to Norman’s 14th Anniversary on Saturday, there’s another anniversary dinner on the horizon. The Ravenous Pig turns 10 this year, and they’re celebrating next Sunday (Oct. 8) with a five-course dinner prepared by an all-star cast of area chefs, with wine pairings by Master Somm George Miliotes.

Take a look at the Events Page for details on these and many other Orlando-area wine events. (Pro Tip: Check back often, and look beyond the current week – many of these events sell out quickly.)

Happy sipping (and noshing), Orlando!

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences

Wine Events for Every Budget

I’ve been thinking a lot about money and wine lately. Do you have to be wealthy to be a “true” oenophile? I sure hope not!

Perhaps there will be a philosophical post about this in the future, but a quick look at this week’s Orlando-area wine events proves you don’t have to be a big spender to participate in Central Florida’s vibrant wine scene.

The Tim’s Wine Market family is offering two FREE tastings next week – Bordeaux and Rhone reds on Thursday in Lake Mary-Sanford and Davis Bynum Winery selections in Windermere on Friday.

At a slightly higher but still affordable $25 price point, Swirlery Wine Bar is hosting “A Night in Greece”on Thursday with local collector, blogger, and Greek wine enthusiast Keith Edwards.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with splashing out on a pricey wine event once in awhile, and Norman’s gala 14th Anniversary event next Saturday wouldn’t be a bad way to do it. With food by five area chefs and wines chosen and poured by seven Master Sommeliers and one Master of Wine, it might be just the place to drop the $190 that’s been burning a hole in your pocket. (Last I heard, there were a few spots left, but best to grab them quick if you’re interested.)

Check the Events Page for details on these and more upcoming Orlando-area wine happenings. And whatever your budget, the most important thing is learning about wine and enjoying it with the people you love.

Cheers to that, Orlando!

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences

Post-Irma party & a Spanish-themed week of wine in Orlando

By the time you read this, I hope your power is back on, your yard is cleaned up, and you’re well on your way to repairing any damage you may have suffered at the hands of our dear friend Irma.

Whether or not that’s the case – and especially if it’s not – we all deserve a wine outing after the week we’ve been through here in Central Florida!

Swirlery Wine Bar has you covered on Saturday with its two-year anniversary party, featuring a grand tasting of Old World wines and a lot more.

Next week, a wealth of wine events makes up for this week’s closures and cancellations. And if you’re into Spanish wine, you’re in luck, because several of them have a distinct Spanish flavor.
Continue reading “Post-Irma party & a Spanish-themed week of wine in Orlando” →

Judith Smelser Tastings, Wine Experiences

Storm Relief! Next Week’s Orlando Wine Events

UPDATE: Capa’s Chocolate Day dessert and wine party has been cancelled. Refunds will be issued to ticket holders.

As all of us in the Orlando area await Irma’s arrival, let’s remember there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Assuming businesses are able to open by midweek, there are several great wine events coming up to relieve our collective cabin fever.

Nothing says comfort like chocolate! Capa is celebrating National Chocolate Day on Wednesday with a dessert buffet and specialty wine pairings by Master Sommelier George Miliotes.

Thursday, Tim’s Wine Market Lake Mary – Sanford offers a free tasting of South American wines.

And on Saturday, Swirlery Wine Bar is going all out for its second anniversary with a grand tasting of Old World wines and sour beers.

Check the Events Page for details of these and many other upcoming wine happenings. Take a break from your storm cleanup and have a glass or three. You’ll deserve it.

In the meantime, check out my Instagram and Facebook feeds to follow what wines I’m drinking as Irma moves through.

Cheers and good luck tonight Central Florida – we’ll all drink a toast on the other side!

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

Orlando’s Quantum Leap Winery: Worth a new look

Weekends are when I usually tell you about the plethora of wine events in the coming week … but next week is looking a little slow, what with the holiday and all.

So what better time to discover a new favorite wine place?

If you haven’t checked out the Wine Venues Guide in awhile, you’ll notice a few new spots on the list, including a couple I hadn’t visited in several years, simply because they’d fallen out of my usual rotation.

One of those is Quantum Leap Winery in the Mills-50 district, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. On a recent visit, I found a friendly space and passionate people who are taking risks, breaking rules, and making some pretty cool wines.

Continue reading “Orlando’s Quantum Leap Winery: Worth a new look” →

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.

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

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!