Michael’s Wine Cellar is the Official Wine Retailer of Sarasota's Wine, Women & Shoes benefiting Forty Carrots Family Center. Even if you haven't scored a ticket to the Signature Luncheon this year, there are plenty of ways to celebrate fabulous wines and support the parenting programs at Forty Carrots this fall!
#2 - Make reservationss for a Wine, Women & Shoes wine dinner, scheduled all around town! These intimate dinners which feature visiting vintners as special guests are the perfect venue to entertain colleagues, meet potential clients and visit with friends. Dinners attract not only devotees of the Signature Luncheon, but other interested community members as well. Click here to learn more about Wine, Women & Shoes wine dinners.
#3 - Sip and shop for yourself! Join us for our annual Wine, Women & Shoes Retail Tasting at Michael's Wine Cellar on Saturday, November, 10, 2-4 p.m. Admission is $10 per person and while you can register online in advance, reservations are not required. We also invite you to simply join us at the door. It's a great opportunity to sport your favorite stylish shoes and meet many visiting winemakers. Click here for details and online reservations.
Our palates are a curious thing. When it comes to food we trust it enough to opine. All of us are able to sit and discuss restaurants new and old; our favorite meals and our least favorite. We can go to work on Monday and tell our friends/co-workers about the fabulous dishes we had at a new hot restaurant: “I started with the citrus salad that was topped with a poppyseed and crème fraiche dressing. It was refreshing and delicious. We then shared the panko-crusted cod fritters served up with lemon aioli—they were a little salty, but still good—and my main course was braised short ribs with horseradish mashed potatoes. Oh my Gosh, they were SO indulgent, but in August who wants such a heavy meal?
Talk Amongst Yourselves
These kinds of conversations are not uncommon among people. In fact, they’re probably frequent if you are excited about food and food trends.
Now, allow me to divulge part of a conversation I had with a man I know after he found out about my wine background.
“Really, you were winemaker? I had no idea...” he said, adding “I just got three bottles of the 2015 Bryant Family Cabernet that Parker gave 99 points. It is an awesome wine.” (This is a wine that sells for about $500 a bottle so it had better be awesome.)
“But”, I asked him, “Have you ever tasted the wine?” The gentleman replied, “No.”
“How do you know it’s awesome if you have not ever tasted it?” I asked.
The guy tilted his head a little and said, “I know it will be delicious because Robert Parker gave it 99 points!”
“What the hell, man, you need to trust your palate!” I replied, only half-jokingly.
Like the Wine that You Like
I have made or helped make wines that Robert Parker scored 95, 98 and a couple of times 100 points, and while I know they are good wines, I would rather drink something I really love. Just because a critic gives a wine a huge score doesn’t make it an awesome wine.
“Hold on a sec and let me explain,” I said to my friend. “I really respect the winemaking in Australia and I fully accept that Robert Parker loves these wines when he gives them 95, 96, 97 regularly because he trusts his palate. I also accept that these wines are really, really well made, but here the thing: I don’t myself particularly enjoy American oak.”
As an example, the 2005 Molly Dooker “Velvet Glove” Shiraz—to which Parker bestowed 100 points—was aged for 38 months in new American oak. This, according to the Wine Advocate, is a perfect wine. But, as an example, if you are someone who doesn’t like eggplant in any way, shape or form and a respected food critic tells you that best eggplant that has ever been made is at a 3-Star Michelin restaurant you’d never know—because you don’t like eggplant.
So, this Velvet Glove might be the best Shiraz that Parker has ever had, but frankly, I would rather have a pint of Stella Artois because I don’t like American oak.
This guy says to me “Yeah, I hear ya’ but I know this Bryant Family is going to be awesome.”
Our team at Michael’s Wine Cellar is happy to assist you in all your wine-buying needs, whether you’re a “points person” or care to explore and taste new favorites for yourself.
Sip’N Shop Saturday, December 30th from 10AM-4PM
Champagne “Cuvee Leonie - Rose”, Canard-Duchene, FR, NV
Champagne "Yellow Label", Veuve Clicquot, FR, NV
Pinot Noir, Boen, Russian River Valley, CA, 2015
Red Blend, 2880 Wines,Napa Valley, CA 2014
Champagne “Cuvee Leonie - Rose”, Canard-Duchene, FR, NVChampagne "Yellow Label", Veuve Clicquot, FR, NVPinot Noir, Boen, Russian River Valley, CA, 2015Red Blend, 2880 Wines,Napa Valley, CA 2014
Sip’N Shop Saturday, December 16th from 10AM-4PM
Sparkling "Brut Rose", Graham Beck, Western Cape, ZA, NV
Chardonnay, Chamonix, Franschhoek, ZA, 2015
Red Blend "The Chocolate Block" Boekenhoutskloof, Swartland, ZA, 2015
Red Blend “Estate Red”, Klein Constantia, Constantia, ZA, 2014
Sparkling "Brut Rose", Graham Beck, Western Cape, ZA, NV
Chardonnay, Chamonix, Franschhoek, ZA, 2015
Red Blend "The Chocolate Block" Boekenhoutskloof, Swartland, ZA, 2015Red Blend “Estate Red”, Klein Constantia, Constantia, ZA, 2014
By joining the Michael’s Wine Club, I certify that I am, and the recipient of this gift is, at least 21 years of age.
I agree that I will receive my wine shipments in accordance with the Michael’s Wine Club schedule for the clubs that I have joined.
I understand that all memberships are for a minimum of three months. I may cancel any membership after subcription time is over and only if notice is received in writing at least 30 days prior to scheduled shipment.
I hereby authorize Michael’s Wine Club to charge my credit card 5 business days prior to each shipment of wine.
I understand and accept that pricing is subject to change based upon the following methodology: 15% off Michael’s Wine Club retail price for selected wines at the time of shipment.
I am aware that the government requires wine shipments to be signed for at time of delivery by an adult over the age of 21.
I understand that I am responsible for all costs incurred if my wine shipment is undeliverable due to outdated or inaccurate contact information.
Reservoir Distillery is a multiple Double Gold award-winning distillery located in Richmond, Virginia, created by proprietors and lifelong friends Jay Carpenter and David Cuttino. While tailgating at a Virginia Tech football game and enjoying a respected brand-name bourbon, we decided that – if we combined our innate talents and passions for fine whiskey – we could produce a highly exceptional spirit that reflected our Virginia roots and desire to bring our friends and family together. Just like that, Reservoir was born.
Unlike other brands focused on quantity, Reservoir does not follow a set schedule for aging; instead, we personally taste every barrel to determine when it is ready. In fact, we will age some 5-gallon barrels as long as two years which is the equivalent to 15 or more years in a 53-gallon barrel. Whiskey flavor profiles will shift depending on proof and temperature, so we proof every bottle to 100 so that consumers can adjust the whiskey to suit their particular tastes. It takes a personal touch to make an exceptional whiskey, and just like our distilling process, our bottling procedures are hands-on and end with each bottle being personally signed by one of our dedicated distillers. Reservoir’s goal is to provide our customers with impeccably crafted products and, hopefully, an experience that enhances their lives.
Bourbon:
Our Tasting Notes:
Pour neat with a single cube sweating allowing the whiskey to open over the course of time
Nose: Vanilla, chalk, corn and toast
Palate: Char, pencil shavings, coffee and pecan with a medium to full body
Finish: Tobacco leaf transitioning into a sweet cherry finish that lingers
Rye:
Our Tasting Notes:
Pour neat with a drop to open up to taste but savor over time as she develops on her own terms
Nose: Honey and crème brulee, rye spice and yeast, some orange peel/citrus perhaps
Palate: Sweet notes of dark chocolate, anise, spicy with pepper
Finish: Resolves into a dry finish leaving cola and molasses on the tongue, classic rye shortstop
Wheat Whiskey:
Our Tasting Notes:
Pour neat with a splash of water to blossom and mellow in the glass.
Nose: Port, hint of oak, honey, and caramel notes
Palate: Velvet texture, sweet but not cloying given the lack of corn, perfumed notes of rose petals
Finish: Orange peels, herbaceous, and honeyed with a long lasting mouth feelClick Here For Purchasing
Reservoir; Bourbon, Rye and Wheat Whiskey - Retail Pricing: $94.95
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A magical evening awaits under the Banyan Trees & African Sky at Selby Gardens as Chef Anna presents a traditional “bush dinner” perfectly paired with South African wines.
Inspired by the Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club travels, the passion to support digital learning in rural areas of South Africa, and to honor an important legacy, our very own Safari Sarasota was created! Please join us for SAFARI SARASOTA events with Chef Anna Ridgewell from South Africa’s Londolozi Game Reserve! Michael and Terri Klauber invite you to join them for a series of exciting events this fall.
Held bi-annually in Sarasota since 2013, a series of “Safari Sarasota” events benefit the All Heart Fund, which was created in honor of Leanna Knopik, a 16-year-old Sarasota native who passed away almost a year after visiting some of South Africa’s most remote communities. It had been Leanna’s dream to support children and education in South Africa and, over the last two years, the All Heart Fund, in partnership with South African not-for-profit organization, Good Work Foundation, has provided digital literacy access to over 1,500 South African schoolchildren per week.
Join us for an evening of African gourmet food and friends featuring award-winning South African wines, an interactive safari-inspired dining experience with one of Africa’s top safari lodge chefs, and a celebration of the All Heart Fund, a Sarasota-based initiative that is helping to deliver education technology to rural, low-income South African schoolchildren.
Be prepared to COOK table-side as each guest becomes a”chef” and takes turns cooking at your table! Guests follow along with Chef Anna’s simple recipe instructions and prepare each course with pre-measured ingredients for their table. Fabulous South African wines will be served alongside each of the four courses too!Sponsorships: $1,000-10,000 ~ Patron Tickets: $300
General Admission Tickets: $200
Reservations Required ~ Limited Availability for Sponsorships & Tickets
This is a not-to-miss dining experience which will electrify the Michael’s On East Ballroom!
Click here to register for the Interactive Cooking Dinner on Thursday, November 2.
No TRICKS only TREATS! Check out our recommended list of Halloween-inspired wines and spirits available at Michael's Wine Cellar:
Cabernet Sauvignon "Freakshow", Michael & David, 2014, $19.95
Zinfandel "Sin Zin", Alexander Valley Vineyards, CA, 2013, $18.95 Zinfandel "Romanzo Moon", Lapis Luna, Lodi CA, 2012, $16.95 Red Blend, 19 Crimes, AU, 2015, $11.95
Cabernet Sauvignon, Ghost Block, Oakville, CA 2014, $69.95
Cabernet Sauvignon, Ghost Block, Oakville, CA 2014, $69.95 Whiskey, Jim Beam "Jacob's Ghost - White Whiskey", 750ml, $21.95
Moonshine "Cafe Moonshine - Full Throttle", S'Loonshine, 750ml, $34.95
Merlot "The Rook", Corvidae, Columbia Valley, WA, 2014, $13.95
Syrah "Lenore", Corvidae, Columbia Valley, WA, 2016, $13.95Click here to shop online anytime, or stop in the retail store, 10 am - 6 pm, Monday - Saturday.
As a proudly independent, family owned and operated restaurant, the entire Michael’s On East team takes special pride in offering holiday celebrations for our guests to enjoy with family and friends. A holiday menu—offering favorite signature dishes and inspired global fare—is offered on New Year’s Eve.
Two dinner seatings are available on New Year’s Eve at Michael’s On East each year, 5-7 p.m. or 9-10 p.m. A $50 cover charge applies for the later seating, which includes live music and dancing.
Reservations are required for New Year's Eve.
As a proudly independent, family owned and operated restaurant, the entire Michael’s On East team takes special pride in offering holiday celebrations for our guests to enjoy with family and friends. A holiday menu—offering favorite signature dishes and inspired global fare—is offered on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Reservations are required for Christmas Day.
As a proudly independent, family owned and operated restaurant, the entire Michael’s On East team takes special pride in offering holiday celebrations for our guests to enjoy with family and friends. A holiday menu—offering favorite signature dishes and inspired global fare—is offered on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Reservations are required for Christmas Eve.