One of the most important things I have learned in my 25 years in the wine business is that you continuously learn something about wine every day. Even the experts who make a living with their knowledge learn something daily.
It’s the nature of the beverage that is one of the most captivating subjects other than food, which is another subject unto itself. Put the two together, and you have a launch pad of opportunities for enjoyment.

Wine & Food are some of the greatest reasons that bring people together, whether it be dinner parties, picnics, special events or just sitting back and enjoying the aromas and tastes of a nice glass of wine with your favorite comfort food.

On April 14, there will be a great opportunity to experience a vast array of wines at the premier Pensacola Wine Festival from 3 to 6 p.m. at the new Plaza DeLuna Park (the former Bayfront Auditorium location).
Here you will enjoy the pleasure of sampling more than 150 wines as you stroll from tent to tent of wine venders offering up tastes of wines from around the world.

The park is a perfect setting for such an event with panoramic views of Pensacola Bay and the wonderful afternoon breezes. The main sponsors are the Downtown Improvement Board and its participating members, such as Artesana Fine Wines, Distinctive Kitchens “Culinary Arts & Wine Center,” Everman’s, Eat!, Global Grill, Jackson’s, Viking Appliances and Schott Zwiesel crystal stemware.

Tickets are limited and are available online at www.pensacolawinefestival.com or at participating downtown merchants.

For the price of $45 per ticket (the price of a good bottle of wine), it’s a great opportunity to taste and learn more about wine.

Great Value Wines:
One of the categories of wine that is sometimes overlooked is Bordeaux. The ’03, ’04 and some ‘05 vintages are available, and the value of these wines is worth searching out. The category of “Petite Bordeaux” is what I consider the sensibly priced wines of this sometimes absurdly priced category.
Petite Bordeaux is a term that is used for the growing number of producers who are not considered in the upper echelon of worldly wines. However, with modern technology and older established vineyards in Bordeaux, these producers are creating solid quality examples of the Bordeaux style and region. These “Old World” styled wines (which I will discuss next month) are blended from such popular grape varieties as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Suggested Wines:
$15 to $30 price range

• Chateau Martin, St Estephe
• Chateau Cotte de Rambaux, Bordeaux Superieur
• Chateau St Valery, Saint Emilion
• Chateau Ducla Permanence, Bordeaux Superieur
• Chateau La Rose Metairie, Haut Medoc