When you think about vines, your first thought is probably France, Italy or California. In fact, Florida has its own Napa Valley, in Tampa Bay Area, and they have very interesting Tampa Wines. They have a tropical climate, and most grapes cannot tolerate it. Even so, they grow grapes since sixteenth century, and today they have their own hybrid, developed to grow successfully in these conditions.
Although there are some wineries in Tampa Bay Area that are specialized in traditional wine production, most wineries produce vines based on citrus, or specific combinations of grapes and other fruits. For example, the Strong Tower Winery produces their original beverages from four different types of grapes. Lately, they also offer very nice blueberry flavored wine.
Other wineries such as Florida Orange Groves and Winery, located in Pinellas County, offers pure citrus based vines. If you are more interested in traditional wineries, you can try some of their tasty and interesting products in Rosa Fiorelly winery, in Bradenton. They offer free wine tasting every day, and the same thing is with The Florida Estates winery in Paco County.
You have to be aware of the fact that most wineries in this state produce their beverages using the finest grapes from California and Canada. This includes their Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, White Zinfandel and Merlot. Some wineries combine these grapes with their own, and some produce their beverages from Californian grapes only.
In any case, citrus vines are really interesting. Blueberry wine, for example, has a tart scent, full body and warm dulcet fruit flavors. Made from sun-ripened blueberries, with no grapes added, it has very nice texture and delicate sweetness. Sweet, dry and semi-dry variations are mostly available. Strawberry wine is, on the other hand, mostly combined with Riesling. Beautiful, pale gold colored vine is best served chilled.
Keel and Curley winery produces very interesting combined grape and fruit wines. Some of their products won numerous golden medals for quality, and one of their great products is very tasty combination of Pinor Noir and wild berries, including blueberry, strawberry, raspberry and blackberry. Intensive aromas go very well with more intensive, spicy dishes, including Asian cuisine.
Bitter-sweet tasted, orange-red Tangerine wine is delicate and refreshing at the same time. Tangerine is mostly combined with Zinfandel. Lemon and lime are often used in production of these beverages. For example, Key West Key Lime was the best fruit wine made in Florida in 2009, and it combines zingy flavors of key lime with delicate aroma of Sauvignon Blanc.
For those who prefer stronger, more intensive aromas and tastes, full-bodied, deep red blackberry wine offers just that. Full fruit made, this strong and exciting vino has to age for many months to become so specific. It is widely appreciated, because it has numerous great qualities. It contains very high level of anti-oxidants, among other things, and it's great help for people recovering from illnesses.
Among this wide variety of different tastes, you will certainly find something for yourself. Tampa wines are interesting, full of flavor but refreshing and aromatic. You will find more or less traditional wineries here, as well as those focused on citrus vines only. The decision is yours, but you won't know for sure unless you try them. Some fruit vines really deserve to find their place in your wine cellar.
Although there are some wineries in Tampa Bay Area that are specialized in traditional wine production, most wineries produce vines based on citrus, or specific combinations of grapes and other fruits. For example, the Strong Tower Winery produces their original beverages from four different types of grapes. Lately, they also offer very nice blueberry flavored wine.
Other wineries such as Florida Orange Groves and Winery, located in Pinellas County, offers pure citrus based vines. If you are more interested in traditional wineries, you can try some of their tasty and interesting products in Rosa Fiorelly winery, in Bradenton. They offer free wine tasting every day, and the same thing is with The Florida Estates winery in Paco County.
You have to be aware of the fact that most wineries in this state produce their beverages using the finest grapes from California and Canada. This includes their Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, White Zinfandel and Merlot. Some wineries combine these grapes with their own, and some produce their beverages from Californian grapes only.
In any case, citrus vines are really interesting. Blueberry wine, for example, has a tart scent, full body and warm dulcet fruit flavors. Made from sun-ripened blueberries, with no grapes added, it has very nice texture and delicate sweetness. Sweet, dry and semi-dry variations are mostly available. Strawberry wine is, on the other hand, mostly combined with Riesling. Beautiful, pale gold colored vine is best served chilled.
Keel and Curley winery produces very interesting combined grape and fruit wines. Some of their products won numerous golden medals for quality, and one of their great products is very tasty combination of Pinor Noir and wild berries, including blueberry, strawberry, raspberry and blackberry. Intensive aromas go very well with more intensive, spicy dishes, including Asian cuisine.
Bitter-sweet tasted, orange-red Tangerine wine is delicate and refreshing at the same time. Tangerine is mostly combined with Zinfandel. Lemon and lime are often used in production of these beverages. For example, Key West Key Lime was the best fruit wine made in Florida in 2009, and it combines zingy flavors of key lime with delicate aroma of Sauvignon Blanc.
For those who prefer stronger, more intensive aromas and tastes, full-bodied, deep red blackberry wine offers just that. Full fruit made, this strong and exciting vino has to age for many months to become so specific. It is widely appreciated, because it has numerous great qualities. It contains very high level of anti-oxidants, among other things, and it's great help for people recovering from illnesses.
Among this wide variety of different tastes, you will certainly find something for yourself. Tampa wines are interesting, full of flavor but refreshing and aromatic. You will find more or less traditional wineries here, as well as those focused on citrus vines only. The decision is yours, but you won't know for sure unless you try them. Some fruit vines really deserve to find their place in your wine cellar.