Named one of the 10 Best Food and Wine Festivals in the country, the Key West Food & Wine Festival roars onto the island on Wednesday, January 27 and lights up the town through Sunday, January 31.
The festival attracts thousands of culinary explorers from around the country who descend on the tropical island to escape the winter and delight their senses.
Now in its twelfth year, our own home-grown culinary arts celebration includes over thirty fun and delectable events: from extravagant waterfront tastings during the famous Key West sunset; to intoxicating winemaker and chef collaborations; to local funky events that are uniquely Key West.
Some of our favorite standout happenings include the indulgent “Grand Tasting” on Thursday, January 28 where you can taste over fifty specially selected wines on the beach; “The Absinthe of Ernest” a brand new event on Friday, January 29 that revolves around the sampling of five distinctive Absinthes; and the Original Shrimp Boil on Saturday, January 30 at Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar.
Of course the list of fun things to do goes on and on.
For complete details and late – breaking news, go to keywestfoodandwinefestival.com.
WINE TASTING TIPS
See: First, look at the wine. Is it clear or opaque? What sort of hue does it have? Does it have any sediment? All of these things can tell you more about the wine.
Swirl: Then swirl your glass gently. This will help awaken some of the aromas of the wine.
Sniff: Once you’ve swirled your glass, smell the wine. What kind of aromas can you pick up? Any fruits, florals or herbal notes? Does it smell like it was aged in oak?
Sip: Start with a small sip of the wine. Let it coat your tongue and palate (don’t swish it like mouthwash!). This can help you pick up on some more nuanced flavors of the wine.
Savor: When you’ve got a good taste, savor the wine. You can either swallow or spit. Ask how long the wine lingers on your palate. This is the finish.
