As we say goodbye to another year and 2013 is in our rearview mirrors, we can begin to look ahead at the new year of 2014. I was thinking how fortunate I was to have enjoyed some wonderful wines and had the opportunity to visit some of Napa Valley's most iconic wineries. Now, as I look to the very near future, I see some incredible wine events that are directly in our sights…

Coming at the end of the month is Nadia Galati's Italian Winemakers' Tour, one of the most anticipated wine happenings on the calendar. These events bring many of Italy's finest wine minds to the Sunshine State for a tour of Italy’s finest wine regions. So on January 29, 30 and 31^st you can visit your local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits locations in Tallahassee, Ponte Vedra and Oviedo to meet these talented winemakers from all parts of the “boot.” Special guests will include Alberto Passeri of La Gerla in Tuscany, Giovanna Tantini of Tantini from the Veneto, Gregory Perrucci of Racemi in Apulia along with many more Italian winemaking artists. If you are a already a lover of Italian wines, looking to learn a thing or two, or you just enjoy drinking fine wines, then this is the place for you…be sure to mark your calendar!

Another unique wine event that is right around the corner is the Bordeaux Grande Tasting being held Wednesday, January 15, at the beautiful Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. This is another one of a kind event that brings 30 or so of France's finest producers of Bordeaux to Florida. Here you get another opportunity to meet and speak with some of the superstars of Europe's wine community. You also get to taste some of Europe's finest wines such as Château Léoville Barton, Domaine de Chevalier and Château Angélus without ever having to show your passport. This was one of the highlights of last year's wine events and is sure to be one of the best of 2014.

If these two amazing Eurpoean wine events are any indication of what is in store this year for the wine enthusiasts in Florida, than I can’t wait for February!!

For more information on these events, visit abcfws.com/events.

Ken Amendola, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinekena