I am honored to introduce to you a new category on Pulp and Circumstance! “A List Wines at D List Prices.” My first review is of a California Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a special occasion, as I do not normally like California wines. My friends at Total Wine suggested this particular indulgence to me when I explained that I wanted to start a section about good wines for under $10. “Crow Canyon” boasts a price point of about $6. When I first went in search of said wine at the North Miami Beach store they were sold out, but victory was had at the Total Wine in Tampa! (For those of you lucky enough to be attending the Super Bowl XLIII game at Raymond James Stadium on 2/1/2009 this store is just down street before you hit I-275.) Crow Canyon is a light bodied red wine. The aroma of the glass does not reveal much about the character of the drink; neither does the cork. On the first sip it is a little dull, but the finish was honest, silky, and smooth. There are aromas and flavors that I can’t quite pinpoint; I want to say they are herbaceous – almost grassy – yet nicely stated. The more of it I drink, the more it reminds me of the relaxed feeling of smelling freshly mowed grass in a field, subtle and harmonious. I encourage you to pull up a glass, or a bottle. This is a good wine at the end of a difficult day, and hard to beat for the price.
Crow Canyon
Exploring Tampa Bay
This past weekend Sari and I trekked to the Tampa Bay area of Florida. We decided to scour the area searching for points of interest, and to our jubilation the bay area delivered a few locales of wine friendly appeal. One place worthy of note is “Wine Design” at the Channelside Shops in downtown Tampa. The store itself must barely cover 600 square feet, but has walls and displays lined with regional, national, and international wines and paraphernalia. It boasts as “Tampa Bay’s Premier Wine Store.” Upon crossing the threshold of the shop a relaxed sense comes over you and the staff is friendly and informative. Finding the quant shop was truly a happy accident!
Our next wine find of the trip presented itself at the end of The PIER in St. Petersburg. The Pier has been a staple in the city’s history – in one form or another – since 1889. The first floor of The PIER’s current incarnation houses The Pier Winery one of The Florida Winery and Cigars stores. This is unique wine store sporting “the world’s largest selection of REAL FLORIDA WINES!” Containing all the trappings of Florida décor including a tropical atmosphere and stuffed gators smoking cigars and drinking wine! They have free wine tasting available at their bartop counter so you can enjoy all that the Sunshine State has to offer. Sari got a few bottles of Strawberry Riesling while I went for the Blueberry, Dry – both hailing from Keel and Curley Winery in Plant City.
In the evening of one of our last nights there Sari and I spotted a Total Wine just off of I-275. Wanting to thank my dad for extending his hospitality during our stint in the bay area we decided to gather a small sampling of our favorite wines. This branch did not disappoint. I was able to obtain the wines for my father, as well as find the Mulderbosch Faithful Hound that I tried at Seasons 52, and the Crow Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon that was advised to me by the North Miami Beach Total Wine staff (that store was sold out at the time).
Sari and I enjoyed our unexpected glimpse into the world of Tampa Bay’s wine culture. If you ever find yourself in that area looking for something to do, look a little harder and you might find a good wine waiting around the corner.
Season’s 52 Autumn Menu
Last night my girlfriend, Sari, and I decided to experience the new Autumn Menu at Season’s 52 in Ft. Lauderdale. If you are not familiar with Season’s 52 it is a self described “casually sophisticated grill and wine bar…” Their food menu changes seasonally, which helps to keep you from ordering the same old thing. Season’s 52 is always packed, reservations must be made a few days in advance, and walk-ups are welcome – just be prepared to wait for about an hour. On this outing we started out with our usual Parmesan Crispbread and perused the menu. The menu has some new delicacies including quail, cedar plank roasted salmon, and the like. I decided on the Pan-Seared Snapper, one of my favorites from the last season it was available, while Sari ordered the Sesame Crusted Tuna. Our waitress, Natalie, suggested the Mulderbosch “Faithful Hound” Bordeaux for my snapper (I will be reviewing this wine in a later post) and a Sokol Blosser “Evolution” Riesling for Sari’s dish. This Riesling has a good flavor and a crisp finish without a lot of sweetness. To finish out the evening they offer “mini indulgences,” low calorie deserts served in square shot glasses. Sari had the rocky road, while I had the tiramisu, both delicious. If you’re ever in Atlanta, or Central or Southeast Florida and want a sophisticated, yet casual dining experience go to Seasons 52. If have the chance make a reservation, if not it’s worth the wait. Lunch is a little less crowded, and just as enjoyable.
