Wine

Wine and Dine

Five Things You Didn't Know About Wine from Books & Books Wine Instructor Patrick Alexander

Let's face it: there's probably a lot you don't know about wine. Unless you're a professional sommelier, it's nearly impossible to master the wide world of vino. It spans centuries, continents and even religions. Everyone loves the grape juice. Though we'll likely never know it all, we can certainl ... More >>

SoBeWFF: Master Sommeliers Can Get It Wrong

If you're reading this blog post, you probably like wine. But however well versed you think you are, we highly doubt you have the knowledge of a master sommelier. There are only 129 in North America. Well, whether you are a wino or a wine connoisseur, Delta's Taste Wine Like a Master Sommelier at th ... More >>

Are You A Wine Snob? Find Out in Time for the Festival

For more on the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, check out New Times' Taste guide, hitting newsstands Thursday, February 21. Think about the last time you shared a bottle of vino with friends. Unless you're a group of uppity wine connoisseurs or sommeliers, chances are the wine in your glass mean ... More >>

The Vini: Fine Wine, One Glass at a Time

For commitment-phobes, sticking with anything can be tough -- even if it's just a bottle of wine. After all, that's four glasses to guzzle. Wouldn't it be better if you could switch up it up with every swig? Meet "The Vini," a patented screw-top vial serving up one glass of fine wine at a time. Th ... More >>

Taste of Brickell Valentine: Score Cheap VIP Couple's Pass Here

Come March, memories of the South Beach Wine & Fodd Festival (SOBEWFF) will be fading fast -- and you'll need some new bacchanalia to look forward to. Luckily, the third annual Taste of Brickell Food and Wine Festival is bringing eats, drinks, and entertainment to the Miami Circle on March 23 an ... More >>

David Bernard Talks Tejo Wine Tasting Tomorrow At Smith & Wollensky

Wine enthusiasts can indulge in an all-you-can-drink wine tasting celebrating the wines of Portugal at Smith & Wollensky tomorrow, Wednesday, October 10. The Tejo Wine Tasting offers 100 distinct wines from Portugal's Tejo region, a hilly place around the River Tagus.Tejo offers quite a variety, ... More >>

The Business of Bacchus

Master Sommelier George Miliotes on The Capital Grille's Generous Pour

There are fewer concepts more pleasing to the palate of a wine lover than the notion of a generous pour. Hence The Capital Grille's annual celebration by the same name, geared to its vino enthusiast patrons. This summer wine event offers visitors a chance to sample an extensive variety of selection ... More >>

The Federal's Women Who Wine Summer Series With Alejandro Ortiz

The first Women Who Wine, a new summer series at the Federal Food Drink and Provisions, wasn't just any ol' gender-specific, stuffy winetasting. As the female attendees sipped on complimentary Aperol Spritz, a bitter and refreshing cocktail made from the Italian aperitif topped with Prosecco, the Fe ... More >>

Balls in Our Mouths: Mark Oldman and Daniel Holzman Mix 'Em Up

​Around 100 folks at Saturday's South Beach Wine & Food Festival seminar with Meatball Shop owner Daniel Holzman and international wine personality Mark Oldman left with more than they probably hoped for: five balls in the mouth and all the alcohol a groupie should swallow by noon. The event w ... More >>

SoBeWFF: Does The Wine Glass Matter? Max Riedel Says Yes

​There are many factors when it comes to evaluating a wine, that it's hard to separate the glass from the equation, according to wine expert Max Riedel, owner and proprietor of Riedel Crystal. Riedel showcased his line of glassware yesterday at the Perry Hotel for the South Beach Wine and Food Fes ... More >>

SoBeWFF Grand Tasting Village: Where To Find The Good Booze

Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival/Facebook​The "Winebow Wine Pavilion" requires a powerful lesson in self-directed navigation (okay, the whole "village" is sort of a booze and food maze of confusion, see more for help on that here), but you don't want to miss out on international a ... More >>

Real Housewives' Ramona Singer in Miami For Pinot Grigio Signing

​Bravo show Real Housewives of New York features a cast of loud, brash women lunching, arguing, and drinking heavily. We love every second of their antics, especially Ramona Singer, the eye-popping, hyper blonde who acts as if she's had one too many Red Bulls at all times.Singer is best known for ... More >>

Rollin Soles, Top Oregon Vintner, Dishes On Argyle Wine, Nuthouses, and His Kinky Neighbor

Rollin Soles, the man some say put Oregon on the winemaking map.​From the time Rollin Soles first laid eyes on Willamette (rhymes with dammit) Valley in 1979, he "fell totally in love with the place." By 1987, "feeling like one lucky cowboy," the Texan-bred Soles started Argyle Winery (joined soon ... More >>

Know Your Champagne Before New Year's Eve: An Expert Gives Us the Low-Down on Bubbly

​Oh champagne -- just saying it makes us feel fancier already. While bubbly is always a requisite for celebrating the life fantastique, it's the last two weeks of the year that are the most popular for this golden elixir. You might be familiar with names like Dom, Krug, Bollinger, Veuve, and Crist ... More >>

Ten Affordable Thanksgiving Wines

​You have the turkey, the stuffing, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes -- but what about the wine? Consider this a break-down of tasty selections that will please your picky friends and that will satisfy those who only indulge on special occasions, like this Thursday.The BubblyConde de Caralt, Cav ... More >>

Le Beaujolais Nouveau 2011 Is Here

Photo by Marguerite Gil Beaujolais gets a kiss from Tara Salomon.​There aren't too many wines that come in roaring like a lion each year, but Beaujolais Nouveau fits that description perfectly.According to French law, Beaujolais Nouveau, a red wine made from 100 percent Gamay grapes, i ... More >>

Five Tips For Faking Your Way Through A Wine Tasting

Lee Klein​Attending a wine tasting is supposed to be fun, a social means of sharing sips, spits, and thoughtful conversation. But for those who don't know the difference between a Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio, the experience can be one of self-consciousness and apprehension about coming across as g ... More >>

Wine Dinner Line-Up: DB, The Setai and Meat Market's Last Stand

db Bistro ModerneChef Verbiak's "pressee" of poultry and foie gras.​There seems to be an abundance of wine pairing dinners happening both on and off the beach, providing a glorious opportunity to do a little high-end boozing. Sure, these prix-fixe gatherings can get a little expensive, but since t ... More >>

Yardbird Wine List Dissection: Made In The USA

​South Beach newcomer Yardbird has us all thinking of fried chicken, bourbon, and biscuits. We gave you a brief preview of the food and a glimpse inside the opening party madness, but what you may not know is that they also cultivated an extremely user-friendly wine list. Offerings are separated i ... More >>

Meat Market's Sarah Almand Gives Good Wine Advice

Courtesy of Meat Market​When we hear sommelier we think well-suited-gentleman with a stiff upper lip who looks down his nose at you for ordering anything less than a $100 bottle of wine. Sarah Almand, Meat Market's delightfully spirited sommelier, is different.A Florida native, she was a geography ... More >>

Weekly Wine Tasting at Sonesta Coconut Grove: Killer View Included

All photos by Laine DossBarry Alberts and Maribel Mazariegos toast to one of the longest running wine tastings.​Every Friday evening for almost 20 years, wine educator Barry Alberts has been hosting a weekly wine tasting series, making it one of the longest ongoing wine tastings in the country. Is ... More >>

Play Sommelier With Summer BBQ Wines Under $20

Alisdair/Flickr​The words "barbecue" and "beer" seem permanently wedded; a hot day is well matched with a cold one, and it's easy to pair with burgers, ribs, and grilled what-have-you. However, with backyard fiestas growing ever more gourmet, we champion summer appropriate wines that enhance the o ... More >>

Capital Grille's Generous Pour Offers Custom Wine Tasting Experience

It's wine time at Capital Grille​The Capital Grille's Generous Pour promotion, which runs through September 4th, offers patrons the opportunity to sample up to nine wines picked by master sommelier, George Miliotes, especially for the event They include the Tarima Hill Monastrell, which is o ... More >>

Faiveley With Fava Beans?

Michael's Genuine Celebrates Summer Wines

Michael's Genuine Food & Drink​Owner and Executive Chef Michael Schwartz and his hard-working sommelier Eric Larkee (who has been with Design District pioneer Michael's Genuine since 2009), are hosting a wine pairing dinner built completely around what they term "summer's most versatile gra ... More >>

Allegra Angelo From Michy's: Top 5 Summer Wines Under $15

Erich FerdinandSummer salads call for a lighter touch when it comes to wine selection.​Miami is about to get uncomfortably sticky. Suddenly, the breezes die and it's hot as hell. Summer, unfortunately, officially arrives on the calendar next week; and with it our dietary wants shift from heavy men ... More >>

Dom Perignon Winemaker Vincent Chaperon Guarded Cork in the Military

Laine Doss Vincent Chaperon, wine maker for Dom Perignon.​Even though Vincent Chaperon is only 34, he has about a dozen years of experience in the world of Champagne. He's also the winemaker for iconic brand Dom Perignon, which is located in the heart of France's Champagne region. The hands ... More >>

Bali Hey Hey

Thursday is Vino Italiano Day

​Today, Miami plays host to some of Italy's finest treasures -- wine treasures that is. JW Marriott Marquis serves as the stage for Simply Italian and the Italian Wine Masters Series.. One of the largest wine expositions in South Florida, Simply Italian will feature products from re ... More >>

Frenchy Delight

Sparkling Wine on a Budget

A.G. Ferrari Foods​New Year's Eve is T-Minus a few hours away. Whether the party is at your buddy's crib or at a club on the beach, one thing is for sure -- Champagne! Popping bottles is a celebratory ritual practiced all over the world on December 31. But what do you do when you can't ... More >>

California Wine Lover's Cookbook

​Sometimes cookbooks can do more than tell us how to prepare food. For example, a glance at the 1983 publication of California Wine Lover's Cookbook, by Malcolm Hébert and the Wine Institute and Wine Appreciation Guild, shows us just how much things have changed in the food world over the past 27 ... More >>

Thanksgiving Wines Under $25

Photo by Randy Larcombe The wine press at Torbreck Winery.​If you have no desire to spend Thanksgiving gulping beer like a Pilgrim and would prefer to swirl and sip some vino, here are some great suggestions we discovered while out tasting with fellow oenophiles. All of the choices are unde ... More >>

Frank Reider is Passionate About South American Wine

John ZurFrank Reider​Frank Reider says, "People shouldn't be intimidated by wine. They should come out and try and learn." His knowledge of the Chilean and Argentinean wines in his book, Wines of Passion: The Best of South America, is remarkable. The writing is reminiscent of a tour guide, whose z ... More >>

The Capital Grille Offers Tableside Wine Tour

​Phase One of The Capital Grille's summertime Master Wine Tasting Event, which runs through September 5, includes Napa Valley wines such as Bancroft Ranch Merlot from Beringer Vineyards; a Cabernet Sauvignon from Sella & Mosca Marchese di Villamarina; and Pinot Noir along with other varietals ... More >>

Sunbox Eleven Winemaker Dinner at Meat Market

Photos by Jacquelynn D. PowersSmoked, pan-seared scallop with coconut "caviar," griddled corn cake and hazelnut pesto. ​Last night, Meat Market hosted a winemaker dinner with Sunbox Eleven, a local winery. While Sunbox Eleven is based in Miami, the boutique company creates small-batch artisan wine ... More >>

Plato Royale: Battle of White Wine Sangria, Jaguar vs. Por Fin

Photo by Danielle AlvarezWhite wine sangria at Jaguar​Plato Royale usually compares and critiques food. But in this edition, it's all about sangria. The punch-like concoction is traditionally made with Spanish red wine from the Rioja region. But white wine sangria, sangria blanca, is a cool and c ... More >>

A Virtual Chilean Wine Tasting -- Without the Virtual

Lee Klein​A virtual tasting of 8 Sauvignon Blancs from Chile (five of which were D.O.'s) took place last Wednesday evening. The promoters of the evening, Wines of Chile, invited me to participate along with 50 other wine enthusiasts, bloggers, writers, etc. We had all received our bottles in advan ... More >>

Mother's Day in Miami: Five Places to Take Mom

commons.wikimedia.org​Mother's Day is fast approaching and unless you're planning on cooking up a storm for mom, we suggest you take her out to enjoy a nice meal. It's on May 9 in case you're drawing a blank. Here are our favorite options so far to celebrate this Mother's Day. And don't forget to ... More >>

Let Them Eat Steak

Wine Know-How for the Rest of Us: A Q&A with Mark Oldman

Photo by Amy Fletcher​When you're not a wine connoisseur it's refreshing to have someone explain wine to you without pretense and with humor, instead of turning their nose up when you struggle to pronounce gewürztraminer. Mark Oldman, the author of Oldman's Guide to Outsmarting Wine, taught a s ... More >>

Sunbox 11 Winery, More Boutique Wine in More Places for 2010

Jacob KatelChef Superdave, co-owner Sunbox 11 Winery.​Grapes mean business.We first introduced you to Sunbox Eleven Winery in May and June of last year, and we're glad to say that Miami's own limited production, boutique California winery is stronger than ever going into the new year, and looking ... More >>

Michy's Wine Tasting: Zinfandel with Stalin?

​Michy's (6927 Biscayne Blvd., Miami) is presenting a distinctively different wine tasting. For one thing, it will be held on a Saturday afternoon (December 12, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.). And instead of pairing the dozen sampling wines with foods, they will be matched according to the following format:Fl ... More >>

Michelle Bernstein News of the Day

​Yesterday we wrote of Food & Wine magazine naming her cookbook Cuisine a Latina as one of the top 25 of the year. Earlier in the week we noted that her Sra. Martinez restaurant made Esquire's list of 20 Best New Restaurants in America. Today's Michelle news concerns an upcoming "California Gi ... More >>

Tonight: Tuscan Wine Tasting at Fratelli Lyon for $45

The wines of Tuscany, from Chianti to Brunello to Vino Nobile "and everything in between" will be poured at the sixth installment of Fratelli Lyon's "Passport to Italy" wine tasting series tonight at 7:30 p.m. Chef Alex Pinero will prepare snacks to pair with the 6 to 8 wines that will be sipped. Th ... More >>

Capital Grille's Master Wine Tasting Event and Wine Vacation Contest

Photos by Jacob Katel​The Capital Grille's Master Wine Tasting Event runs through August 23rd and offers the public the opportunity to experience new wines as selected by the Capital Grille's Master Sommelier, one of only 170 people in the world to hold the master sommelier title, George Miliotes. ... More >>

Wine Dinners at Blue Door, Cacao, And North One10

Dewey LoSasso of North One10Starting at 8 p.m. TONIGHT, Blue Door at Delano (305-674-6400) will host a five-course wine dinner pairing the cuisine of Delano's executive chef Maria Manso and consulting chef Claude Troisgros with wines from Silverado Winery. Here's the lineup:First course: Crabavocat, ... More >>

Iconic Aussie Winemaker Will Pour You His Famed Shiraz For FREE at Wolfe's Wine Shoppe Tonight

Hint: If serious wine lovers know the name Chris Ringland and his award-winning Australian Shiraz, you should too.  And now you can -- in person no less! Yes, this bloke from down under will be happy to pour you a glass himself at Wolfe's Wine Shoppe this evening. Thirteen different tastes, to be e ... More >>