We're Not Playin'....We're Tastin'

Last week I previewed the "Cupcake and Cupcakes" event I got to host at The Firepit City Grill at Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero, FL. Cupcake Vineyards sampled nine different wines, paired with real cupcakes and live music. Wine, desserts, music, a paycheck...life doesn't get much better.

Another wine-loving friend accompanied me, ready to try EVERYTHING. We were given strategic seats outside, near the tasting table and right along the walk-way. When our server showed up with a tray of eight glasses, you should've seen the looks from those walking by and those sitting around us. I turned to a neighboring table and said, "We're not playin', we're tastin'....this is how you taste wine!" Lined up side-by-side, we started with the whites: Reisling, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Angel Food and Moscato.

The Reisling was a bit effervescent with pineapple. Also a bit effervescent was the Pinot Grigio; tropical with a hint of ginger. The Moscato was full of peach and citrus and went well with the desserts. My favorite was  the Sauvignon Blanc, crisp and lemony. I really wanted to like the Angel Food, a Chardonnay blend, but it didn't do it for me, it might work for you though. On second thought, it did work with the spicy chicken lettuce wraps. All are good for the hot, Southwest Florida summer.

The reds were next: The Pinot Noir smelled a bit like bacon, who doesn't love that? The Merlot had some cocoa, the Cabernet Sauvignon was full of tart cherries and the Red Velvet blend was full of dark fruit but not as jammy as I had anticipated. It's the vineyard's first red blend and it DID go well with the red velvet cupcakes.

If you happen to be in the area, the Firepit is running a special on Cupcake wines for the entire month of May, $5 glasses and $20 bottles. Thanks to Beverage Underground for a great event!

Eating and Drinking Cup Cakes

With Summer right around the corner, I'm on the hunt for good, affordable wine that will be refreshing in the heat; good for both sipping and dining.

I was introduced to Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc at a wine tasting years ago, and I remembered it to be full of lemon and citrus. Last night I tried it again and sure enough that acidic lemon just exploded on my tongue. It worked well with the shrimp, avocado and cilantro salad I was eating. The grapes are sourced from one of the best Sauvignon Blanc growing regions in the world, Marlborough, New Zealand and it's a bargain for around $10.

The cupcake Gods must be smiling on me because also yesterday, I was asked to host a Cupcake tasting Saturday the Firepit City Grill, at Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero, FL. We are trying nine different Cupcake Wines while eating what else....cupcakes! I can't wait to try the vineyard's two blends; Angel's Food and Red Velvet.

The Firepit is featuring Cupcake wines the month of May and we kick it off this weekend. Saturday (4/28). You get $5 glasses with an additional free taste, a mini cupcake and $20 bottles. That's not all, the Firepit has a license to party on the lawn. Typically, alcohol has to stay in the confines of the restaurant's patio. However, Saturday you can take all the cupcakes you can carry, to chairs or blankets on the lawn and listen to live Blues on the center stage of  Gulf Coast Town Center.

See you there!

To see how the event went, click here: