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! 
#1 - For a limited time, purchase wines from participating "Wine, Women & Shoes" wineries! Click here to shop now and a percentage of sales will be donated to Forty Carrots.
#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.
(Says Wine Director Sean King)
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.
Click here to shop for 90+ point wines from michaelswinecellar.com.
Or simply stop in the wine shop or give us a call if you’d like for a wine specialist to guide you in your quest to enjoy wines you decide upon and “drink for yourself!”
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
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 - 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.
(The Cyber Monday sale excludes Michael's Wine Club & select wines featured as part of this year's Wine, Women & Shoes fundraising campaign.)
Bourbon: 
Rye:
Reservoir; Bourbon, Rye and Wheat Whiskey - Retail Pricing: $94.95
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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
- Moonshine, Catdaddy "Original Spiced", 750ml, $27.95|
Wines Named with Edgar Allan Poe Inspiration:
- 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.
