2011 Key West Food and Wine Festival aka Duval Uncorked

Ok, so Duval Uncorked was just one event in an entire Weekend of pairings, seminars and coconut bowling matches but it was the highlight of the weekend for me.

The event went from 301 Whitehead Road to 1405 Duval.  That's right 11 blocks of food and wine.  Starting at 4pm we had 3 hours to visit 56 different shops, restaurants, and galleries.  Some served wine, some food and others served both.  It was a veritable marathon of taste treats!

Coreen, Deb, Cheryl, Craig, Maureen Gardella and myself took on the challenge to visit every stop we could in 3 hours.  We made it through about 30 before our tongues died and our tummies popped but before that happened we enjoyed some of the best and worst of what Key West had to offer.  I tried to take pictures of it all!

Coreen and I loved the Pinot Noirs starting with Row Eleven Pinot  Noir served at Virgilios leading the pack. Row Eleven was fruit forward with dark cherries, bolder than a Merlot but softer than a Cab.  It was smooth and rich and delish!  The Enrico Cuvee Rose' was a sparkling wine made from the Pinot Noir grape and it was fantastic!  Light, refreshing and prettily pink.  Virgilios also served up a delicious tortellini all creamy and cheesy goodness.  At the Leather Masters, besides the cuddly gladiator, there was a really tasty Pinot Noir from Carmenet.  It was lighter than the Row Eleven but was no less fruity or full flavored.  The Leather Masters also served up a really refreshing Pezzi King Sauvignon Blanc.  It was crisp with a nice citrus note.  On a normal sweltering day on Duval this wine would have really hit the spot.
Debbie found joy in the Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz at 7 Artists.  A dark maroon wine, full of sweet black cherries that clings to the tongue really hit the spot for her.  There was a Muscato she liked too but unfortunately, I didn't get the label.  Hey Deb!  If you have the name add it to this post as a comment!
Maureen enjoyed the Riondo Preseco that was served at the Grand Key West Cafe.  This sparkling wine is familiar to us because it is the same wine Andy infused with lemon grass.  Wasn't that yummy?!  Riondo also made another appearance as an Amarone.  I didn't taste this one.  I think Coreen did and she liked it.  Coreen?  What was your verdict on this one?

I cannot lie there were some real duds at this event too.  The Blue Fish Riesling was simply put not good...at all...seriously.
The Pennywise Chardonnay was not a wise choice.
One of our last stops was the Tropic Inn and while the Inn was decorated tastefully the choice of wine was less than tasteful.  Most everyone, upon leaving, spit it out.  I don't remember what it was except it was white, cold and bad.

So we got to the Tropical Inn at the 800 block of Duval, 30 stops in when the clock struck 7pm and we acknowledged we were all filled up.  We drank everything from Preseco to Shiraz to Sangria.  We ate steamed clams, ceviche and chocolate covered key lime pie pops.  We were done.  Slowly we turned and step by step headed back to our hotel rooms to spend the rest of the night digesting the food and drink and reminiscing over the adventure that was Duval Uncorked.

Without exception this was a fantastic weekend and one I will cherish for the food, wine and friends.  Thanks Coreen!

See you next year!