Without fail as soon as someone finds out I am a 'wine person' they will turn to me and as serious as you please, will ask me THE question.  The one that I have heard with all too increasingly frequency.  "What is your favorite wine?"

As if it isn't hard enough to explain to someone what I do for a living, now they want me to choose one wine or one grape variety or one region as my favorite.  The hardcore fact of the matter is that I don't really have a favorite.  Gasps of shock followed by dead silence and the sound of crickets chirping in the distance. 

I could no sooner pick a favorite wine then I could pick a favorite food.  No one ever asks anyone that question, do they.  Ah, you're a foodie . . . what's your favorite food.  Maybe they do ask that question, but I've never heard it.  

For me personally, wine has almost always been something to enjoy with food.  Oh, sure, at my house we do drink plenty of it without food but usually that is after the food is gone.  It seems that there are more and more folks interested in pairing wine and food so I hope that someday when I explain to someone that my favorite wine depends greatly on what I am eating that they will understand.  After all, shouldn't everyone delight in the magic that happens when wine and food get together and provide a sensory experience that is truly memorable?

Cheers!

Jodi @tampawinewoman

Believe it or not, even wine and food bloggers, even the ones who do this out of passion, love and 'just for fun' occasionally suffer from writer's block.  I am not certain if its the gorgeous early arrival of Spring weather here in Tampa Bay.  The arrival of Spring always comes with the threat of Summer around the corner.  Something in the air just tells you to slow down and enjoy life and take everything less seriously, because soon it will be much too hot to be outside or have the windows open.  It's this time of year, when you can enjoy grilling and dining outdoors with friends.  

Whatever the reason for my personal struggle with writer's block, I am glad that it doesn't involve 'drinker's block.  I have been swirling, smelling, and sipping some awesome wines and look forward to sharing my favorites with you very very soon.

cheers! 

Jodi @tampawinewoman

It's not often that I find myself with free time on a Saturday afternoon, but a recent Saturday found me with an empty calendar.  A happy coincidence found good friend, Chris Fairchild (Wine Manager at Total Wine in St. Petersburg) teaching an introductory  class on Bourbon.  How could I resist an opportunity to step outside of my wine 'box' and learn something new about a topic I know virtually nothing about.

Stepping into the classroom at Total Wine, takes me back to my Sommelier School Days.  Long tables covered with white paper (in order to get a sense of the true colors of the beverage being sampled), set with water, pens, spill buckets, tasting mats, class materials, and of  course the best part, lots of glasses to be filled.

Although the  classroom seems very serious, and almost intimidating, once class started all of that was forgotten, as  Chris launched into his presentation and the first flight of four Bourbon's was poured (a total of 8 Bourbons were tasted).  Immediately the room began to fill with aromas of vanilla, caramel, honey, oak, and  cedar.  

I have long been a fan of  comparative tastings with wine, in my opinion the very best way to learn about wine and expand your palate.  I found the Bourbon tasting at Total Wine to be no different.  Tasting Bourbons at several price points ranging from $12 to $30 plus, is a great way to get a sense for the different qualities and subtle differences that make up one of America's  classic spirits.
Chris has a great calm and friendly demeanor that makes the topic very approachable and although extremely knowledgeable (and certified) presented the class without any trace of a condescending tone, that is sometimes all too prevalent in the beverage industry.

At $25 per class session, this is a great affordable way to learn about wine, beer or spirits in a non crowded,  classroom setting.  The calendar for  classes may be found on the Total Wine website at www.totalwine.com.  

I should also mention that Total Wine has several option to build custom tastings for your events under the "Book Our Room" category.   The next time you want to learn something new, give them a call!