Brew Hops & Wine Stops

Each April in Bordeaux people in the trade get to barrel sample the new vintage from just about any estate imaginable. The event is called the UGC (Union des Grandes CRU) and is attended by people from all over the globe. A long way for many to travel, so the Bordelaise began a few years back taking their show on the road to major markets around the world, including Miami.

We have asked, and they have agreed to visit Orlando next time, offering us at ABC, and therefore you, a chance to meet them AND taste the wines!!! Details are sketchy at this point, but we will most likely partner up with a hotel locally and put on our very own UGC tasting for you! WOW!!!

 The list of participants (estate owners and cellar masters) is hovering at around 18-20 right now, with a few more pending, and I can assure you there are some pretty spectacular names being poured! More details to come, as soon as we begin to finalize details, including date, location and a who's who of Bordeaux personalities!

Shayne Hebert, Central Florida Wine Supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineshayne

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