Catching Up

Checking in on Some Favorite Wines and Finding Some New Favorite Bottles

A handful of recent highlights from our wine blogger's tasting adventures.

03/13/2024 By Bob McGinn

Rebrand

Bordeaux Wines Are Getting Stronger and Maturing More Quickly. Here's Why.

According to a recent panel featuring top French winemakers, answers range from climate change to competition from other styles.

02/16/2024 By Bob McGinn

High Note

What to Expect at This Year's Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival

Our wine writer previews the pours you should be excited about at this Saturday's event.

09/19/2023 By Bob McGinn

Trending

Are Muscadine Grapes the Next Big Superfood?

New research shows that the grape, which is used to make wine in the southeastern United States, can improve your skin and fight inflammation.

09/07/2023 By Bob McGinn

Better With Age

Were Grapevines the First Domesticated Fruit?

New research suggests that domesticated grapes (and wine) are older than previously thought.

06/07/2023 By Bob McGinn

S Tier

Discovering Some New Favorite Wines at Forks & Corks

Our wine writer names his top picks from the huge annual wine bash.

05/17/2023 By Bob McGinn

World traveler

The Growing Profile of South African Wines

A recent event at Michael's Wine Cellar introduced our wine writer to a number of exciting vineyards.

05/03/2023 By Bob McGinn

Class Is in Session

How to Avoid Making a Fool of Yourself at a Wine Tasting

With the Forks & Corks Grand Tasting right around the corner, let's review some basic rules.

04/19/2023 By Bob McGinn

Burning Question

Do You Actually Need to Decant Wine?

It depends.

01/18/2023 By Bob McGinn

Vintage 2022

A Look Back at the Events, Trends and Personalities That Shaped the Wine World Last Year

It was an eventful year for wine lovers in Sarasota.

01/04/2023 By Bob McGinn

In Vino Veritas

A New Sopranos-Themed Wine Bar Has Opened in Gulf Gate

The shop is run by Mitchell Soffer, who owns TheWinetoBuy.com.

09/07/2022 By Bob McGinn

Small But Mighty

Osprey Is Emerging as a Wine and Food Destination

Mel Weber recently opened Southern Vines Fine Wine & Spirits, among other new ventures in the town.

07/06/2022 By Bob McGinn

Straight to the Source

Now Is a Great Time to Plan a Trip to Wine Country

The cost of going to Napa Valley has skyrocketed, but there are many less-explored and more affordable regions to visit this year.

05/18/2022 By Bob McGinn

Vive la France!

A Unique Sarasota Club Gathers to Celebrate the Wines of Bordeaux

The local chapter of the international Commanderie de Bordeaux hosts regular dinners that highlight specific varieties of Bordeaux wines.

09/17/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Grove Brings Global Wine Experiences to Lakewood Ranch

Enjoy premium wine tastings at The Tour Down Under and the Wines Around the World series, beginning in late September.

08/30/2021

Wine Maven

Meet Gina Lyons, Sarasota's Champagne Doyen

Through her company, A Vine Affair, Lyons offers in-depth Champagne seminars and tastings in private homes and corporate venues.

08/18/2021 By Bob McGinn

Go Global Without Leaving Downtown Bradenton!

Wines Around the World: A Tasting + Pairing Series by PIER 22

01/06/2021

Call it a comeback

Wine Tastings Are Back

A number of local restaurants are offering innovative, structured tastings that follow social distancing guidelines.

09/08/2020 Photography by Bob McGinn

Go Global Without Leaving Lakewood Ranch

Wines Around the World: A Tasting + Pairing Series by GROVE

08/27/2020

Pop Fizz Clink

Five Great Wines From This Year's Forks & Corks Grand Tasting

Wine writer Bob McGinn highlights some standouts from this year's offering.

02/14/2020 By Bob McGinn