Things to Drink in Florida

Michel Abood

Michel Abood
I was in South FL for Thanksgiving, and to my horror and dismay my favorite little gem of a wine store had closed. Luckily, I had stashed some treasures at my family's place during my last visit and could revisit them, wallowing in my wine without a care. Until, of course, I deplete the reserve...

-2005 A&P de Villaine Cote Chalonnaise la Digoine
As a vehicle for pleasure delivery, this lived up to its promise. Delicious from the get-go and it got better as it breathed, with lovely earthy cherries wrapped in a silken, minerally structure that ended with a long finish. Absolutely yummy, and look at that, I've got one left for my next visit.

-2004 Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Chateauneuf du Pape
I was invited to Ruth Chris' Steak House in Boca, so knowing they were BYO, I grabbed this for an outrageous price ($60). Still, with some serious decanting at the restaurant (2 hours plus breathing time at home of about 1 hour), this began to show nicely, opening up to reveal peppery guarrigue with lots of dark fruits and berries. Lovely mouthfeel, and a finish that went on for quite some time. It handled the pepper-swathed steaks pretty well, though I was disappointed in the steaks.

-NV Mumm Cordon Rouge
Yes, you read that right.
I tried. I really did. I tried to analyze this. I tried to figure out why so many people like this. And I finally figured it out: MARKETING. There's no way anyone who tastes this on its own, blind, will think this is good wine. This was horrid, with no character, no soul, no nothing we look for when we taste wine. But man was its marketing budget huge. Still, I could not say anything, as my elderly aunt had popped this especially for me, knowing I was "into wine". Perhaps she knew what she was doing and this was a diabolical plot to kill me?

-NV Feuillate Rose Champagne
Aaaah, this is more like it. Finally, real Champagne. Gorgeous from the start, this only got better as it breathed, with creamy cherries and strawberries all vying for my attention, clamoring to be heard as they danced around the tiny bubbles and the minerals. Lovely. Better yet on a terrace overlooking palm trees and pools.
Cheers!
 
originally posted by Michel Abood:

-NV Feuillate Rose Champagne
Aaaah, this is more like it. Finally, real Champagne. Gorgeous from the start, this only got better as it breathed
No kidding, really?
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
originally posted by Michel Abood:

-NV Feuillate Rose Champagne
Aaaah, this is more like it. Finally, real Champagne. Gorgeous from the start, this only got better as it breathed
No kidding, really?

Yes, why? It was somewhat tight when I opened it but it opened up nicely. Not great, but in context of the horrors I was confined to in the area this was a relief.
 
Having worked in Palm Beach for two seasons, I can attest to having seen this same mindswitch. Parameters change. Palates look for more forward fruit. Terraces with palm trees sing their siren song.

Makes perfect sense to me. You ain't the first to go out this way, brother.
 
Michel,
That Digoine is glorious, life affirming wine!
I just wish I'd bought out the store when it came in - because it certainly went out fast.
Best, Jim
 
Indeed, that Digoine is gorgeous, luckily I have one left for my next visit. There's also a 2004 Carillon Puligny Montrachet in the fridge.

I was in the Boca area, and my gem of a store was Wine Warehouse. I liked Brendan and he had some nice wines at nice prices (the Digoine was $25 and I cleaned him out, and he also sold Krug at $100). I bought the 2004 VT at Crown and thought it was outrageously expensive at $60.

I will definitely hit Wolfe's on my next trip now that Wine Warehouse has closed, thanks!
Cheers!
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
originally posted by Michel Abood:

-NV Feuillate Rose Champagne
Aaaah, this is more like it. Finally, real Champagne. Gorgeous from the start, this only got better as it breathed
No kidding, really?

My thoughts exactly... but at Ruth's Chris, probably a breath of fresh air.
 
Despite the fact that the must arrives at the "winemaking facility" in tanker trucks, I have also liked some Feuillate champagne. I might have to turn in my "hipster" card now. That's OK, labels are for people who don't like to think.

Too bad about the Wine Warehouse in Boca, I also have bought some Digoine there in the past, as well as some other Kermit wines. Friendly people, nice selection. Oh well.
 
Michel,
Wine Warehouse is a chain throughout Florida. There's one right here in St. Petersburg that I go to regularly.
Best prices around and a pretty extensive stock.
Best, Jim
 
Wow. A Burgundy we can all agree on. I also loved the '05 Digoine and wish I had bought some when we had it. It went very, very quickly.
 
originally posted by Brad Kane:
Wow. A Burgundy we can all agree on. I also loved the '05 Digoine and wish I had bought some when we had it. It went very, very quickly.

WOW. You heard it here first, kids. Wow. Someone, somewhere, is rolling in his grave: Brad liked a Burgundy.
 
Actually had a couple of decent (though pricey) wines this past week on property at Disney World, of all places. First was a really nice Pinotage (of course I forgot to write down which one, $13) with a cheese course at Narcoosee's followed by a very good 2005 Sequoia Grove Cabernet ($17).

With dinner at California Grill, the Schloss Walhausen 2006 Kabinett (Nahe, $11) went well with appetizers, while Joguet "Cuvee Terroir" 2006 Chinon ($13) was spectacular with filet mignon. In the interest of science I let myself be talked into a glass of utterly ghastly Guenoc Port ($9) for dessert. Paint thinner has nothing on this: I could not finish it.

Markups in the better Disney restaurants are pretty steep - per glass prices listed above, although they pretty reliably serve a 5 oz pour.
 
Those sound lovely, especially the Chinon and the Nahe. I hate to say this but those prices would be standard in NYC. Actually, the Port might be more expensive.
 
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