Sunday, October 11, 2015

Wine, Fla. Rest. & Lodging Show, Orlando, Updated

Orlando, Fla.--Florida wines are liked by chefs. The standouts, at this year's Florida Restaurant And Lodging Show, were from San Sebastian Winery and Lakeridge Vineyard.  These sister wineries, run under the umbrella of the parent company Seavin, Inc., have been making wine in Florida for 32 years.

Lakeridge Vineyard & San Sebastian Winery staff, Florida Restaurant &
Lodging Show, Orlando, Fla.
Copyright 2015 by Helen A Lockey
"People are really surprised we are local and they are surprised how well the wines go with food," said Cassidie Corwin, Public Reactions/Loyalty Manager for both companies.

There was a surprisingly good response to the sweeter Florida grown muscadine grape wines. According to Corwin more people drink sweet wine.

Show favorite San Sebastian Port Ruby made with muscadine
grapes and aged in oak six months, Florida Restaurant &
Lodging Show, Orlando, Fla. Copyright 2015 by Helen A Lockey

The most popular wines at the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show were the Lakeridge Southern Red, a flavorful muscadine table wine, and the San Sebastian Port Ruby, a complex, rich port made with 100 percent muscadine grapes and aged in oak for six months.

Chefs, who visited the booth, were excited about working with the wines to make reductions and other things according to Corwin.

"The whole craft beer and spirits industry has helped us. We've been doing this for over 30 years," said Mark Shapiro, Director Wholesale Operations.

To taste and buy these wines for yourself, you can visit both companies for tours and tastings.

Lakeridge Winery & Vineyard is located at 19239 U.S. 27 North, Clermont, FL 34715
Phone: 1-800-768-WINE

San Sebastian Winery is located at 157 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: 1-888-352-9463 OR 904-826-1594

You can also buy these wines at Total Wines & More stores.

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