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I don't know about you, but anytime I can try 22 wines in a single evening, life is good!
That's what I did last night at one of the best wine tastings in Broward County -- and this is a place I'd recommend whether you're a tourist or a local. I've attended five or six evenings here, at a spot in Wilton Manors on Wilton Drive called The Best Cellar.
It's not much to look at from the outside. Ah, but inside you'll sample some wines that aren't just hard to find -- they're impossible to buy anywhere else in South Florida. The owner and master of ceremonies for this sit-down evening is Richard Stetler. Very knowledgeable, but also just a very genuine, fun guy. He makes each tasting into a mini-party with different wines every week.
Wednesday through Saturday night year round, he hosts tastings that start at 8 p.m. and often go on for many hours. Last night, seven wines were promised on the written menu, including a terrific 2005 Selaks Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. (I bought two bottles and I'm not really a white wine drinker.)
But Richard always pulls out what he calls "bonus wines" and they're usually great! Ever tried a variety of wine called a malbec? A delightful red that's fruity and much lighter than a cab or zin. Richard served two incredible "bonus" malbecs late in the evening, right before he pulled out the dessert wine by LaPlaya and some chocolate truffles.
As you can imagine, no one was in a hurry to leave. The wines kept flowing, sipped one after another along with bites of crusty baguettes, cheese and crackers. And no, I'm really not exaggerating -- we tried 22 wines! After a while, everyone was feeling pretty good and the conversation was punctuated by lots of laughter and lots of talk that would sound like music to the ears of oenophiles.
"Cassis, I would say, is not a common characteristic of a Washington cab!" (Sounds good to me.) "No, it's the other way around in that region: the nights are cold and the days are warm." (Really? I didn't know that!) "This '98 cab tastes just like their '02 merlot!" (You took the words right out of my mouth!)
If any of this sounds pretentious, honestly it's really not. I enjoy fine wines but know relatively little about them but always feel totally comfortable at The Best Cellar and always learn a lot. It's kind of like stepping into the movie, "Sideways," without the Paul Giamatti character.
If you want to do your own sampling, you can call Richard at 954-630-8020. Or check out his website at www.beaconmgmt.com/rsfwt
Oh and the price? Usually these great wine tastings go for a $10 cover charge. Of course, nearly everyone buys wine to bring home. I purchased a case last night, mixing some of the new labels like the Selaks with brands I'd tried and loved before. Most of Richard's wines at The Best Cellar sell in the $12 - $20 a bottle range.
So there's your hot weekend tip from this wine-lovin' writer. I may not get out of my home office enough yet, but no one ever has to drag me to a good wine tasting!
That's what I did last night at one of the best wine tastings in Broward County -- and this is a place I'd recommend whether you're a tourist or a local. I've attended five or six evenings here, at a spot in Wilton Manors on Wilton Drive called The Best Cellar.
It's not much to look at from the outside. Ah, but inside you'll sample some wines that aren't just hard to find -- they're impossible to buy anywhere else in South Florida. The owner and master of ceremonies for this sit-down evening is Richard Stetler. Very knowledgeable, but also just a very genuine, fun guy. He makes each tasting into a mini-party with different wines every week.
Wednesday through Saturday night year round, he hosts tastings that start at 8 p.m. and often go on for many hours. Last night, seven wines were promised on the written menu, including a terrific 2005 Selaks Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. (I bought two bottles and I'm not really a white wine drinker.)
But Richard always pulls out what he calls "bonus wines" and they're usually great! Ever tried a variety of wine called a malbec? A delightful red that's fruity and much lighter than a cab or zin. Richard served two incredible "bonus" malbecs late in the evening, right before he pulled out the dessert wine by LaPlaya and some chocolate truffles.
As you can imagine, no one was in a hurry to leave. The wines kept flowing, sipped one after another along with bites of crusty baguettes, cheese and crackers. And no, I'm really not exaggerating -- we tried 22 wines! After a while, everyone was feeling pretty good and the conversation was punctuated by lots of laughter and lots of talk that would sound like music to the ears of oenophiles.
"Cassis, I would say, is not a common characteristic of a Washington cab!" (Sounds good to me.) "No, it's the other way around in that region: the nights are cold and the days are warm." (Really? I didn't know that!) "This '98 cab tastes just like their '02 merlot!" (You took the words right out of my mouth!)
If any of this sounds pretentious, honestly it's really not. I enjoy fine wines but know relatively little about them but always feel totally comfortable at The Best Cellar and always learn a lot. It's kind of like stepping into the movie, "Sideways," without the Paul Giamatti character.
If you want to do your own sampling, you can call Richard at 954-630-8020. Or check out his website at www.beaconmgmt.com/rsfwt
Oh and the price? Usually these great wine tastings go for a $10 cover charge. Of course, nearly everyone buys wine to bring home. I purchased a case last night, mixing some of the new labels like the Selaks with brands I'd tried and loved before. Most of Richard's wines at The Best Cellar sell in the $12 - $20 a bottle range.
So there's your hot weekend tip from this wine-lovin' writer. I may not get out of my home office enough yet, but no one ever has to drag me to a good wine tasting!
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 12:31 PM
I've always wanted to attend a wine tasting but never have. You've urged me to get on the ball, and now I know just where to go!
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