Brew Hops & Wine Stops

There is no better place to be for food and wine lovers in the winter than South Florida. Seems like every year more and more of the food and wine world is discovering what a dynamic, vibrant, cutting-edge market we live in...and maybe it has something to do with our weather, as well. In any case you don't have to go far, or look hard, to rub elbows with the world's top winemakers and chefs this time of year.

Already this month we have hosted Count Cinzano from Col D'Orcia and Giovanni Cattani from La Calonica in our stores. This Wednesday, the 22nd, we will have two great producers of Amarone, Marlissa Allegrini and Nadia Zenato, in our Pembrooke Pines store pouring their wines [6-8PM]. Starting March 7th in Ft. Lauderdale, Nadia Galati brings back her much anticipated Italian Wine Maker's Tour. This is always one of the best in-store events we do all year.

There are countless numbers of food and wine festivals in south Florida as well. One, The Taste of Coral Springs, takes place tomorrow night, February 21st from 6:30 -9:ooPM at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts. There will be entertainment, a silent auction, and plenty of food and wine supplied by local restaurants and ABC Fine Wine and Spirits.

And of course the king of all epicurean festivals, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, runs from February 23rd to February 26th. This year's festival has a number of events planned that are guaranteed to satisfy any appetite. Fans of the Food Network will not want to miss this, as all your favorites, (Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray), will be back to entertain.

Once again I will be pouring wine for the only retailer allowed at the event. The ABC table is usually located in the south tent. Stop by and say hello....see you on the beach!

Paul Quaglini, South Florida Wine Supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinepaulq

Another NFL season has come to a conclusion with the New York Giants over the New England Patriots in the "big game." As is customary at my house, we had a few friends over for the traditional game day Football and Food Fest. Every year, I try to prepare dishes that represent each of the teams facing off for the beloved Lombardi Trophy. This year wasn’t too difficult; we just set-up our tailgate tent on the back patio, broke out the corn-hole game, kicked some fieldgoals, threw the football around and had a proper tailgate party without having to travel to Indy.

With New York and New England in the game it was very easy to come up with the menu: New York strips, New England clam chowder and a New York-Style cheesecake. With my seven-year old assisting, we put together the chowder and the cheesecake the day before, and by the time everyone starting showing up around three o’clock on Sunday we were all set.

 We served a few different beverages for the tailgate leading up to dinner. On the beer side, we had Unibroue La Fin du Monde, Dogfish Head Raison D’ Etre, Roscoe’s Hop House Amber and Napa Smith Organic IPA. For wine, I opened a Kenwood Jack London Cabernet Sauvignon and La Calonica Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. My favorite was the Dogfish Head, tons of flavor with a great finish.

 Although I was rooting for the losing team, (the Patriots, if you were on Mars over the weekend)  it was a great way to spend a Sunday with family and friends. Next year we will be cooking up some Jacksonville food to cheer on the Jaguars in Super Bowl XLVII…Go Jags!

Ken Amendola, Wine Supervisor, N. Florida

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinekena