Sez who? Sez me: Chris Sherman
I’ve been writing about food and wine for almost 25 years and eating and drinking with curiosity for much longer. Grew up in Cincinnati, the heartland’s first home of five-star restaurants and five way chili. Wine too. I lived down the pike from Meier’s wine stube, Ohio’s oldest winery, making tolerable ports and sparkling juices. When I saw the world outside, I had ham biscuits in Tidewater, tacos in San Francisco, North Carolina barbecue and Louisiana catfish. That’s where I turned pro, shifting from county zoning cases, cop stories and a very brief stint covering the war in El Salvador. For the last 20 years I’ve been in Florida writing first for the Orlando Sentinel and then for the St. Petersburg Times, eating my way from the shadow of the Mouse to Tampa Bay and the Grouper Sandwich Islands.
Since then I’ve tramped vineyards on both sides of the Atlantic but one treasure I found on this coast was a skinny liquor store on U.S. 19 just short of the county line called B-21. “You gotta check it out,’’ a wine friend insisted.
I made no discovery, smart wine buyers all over the area and vintners around the world knew B-21 for its vast selection, price and care. And the smartest staff any merchant, importer or shopper could want.
Among this noble crew of connoisseurs, I’m a lowly field blend, but then my favorite red grapes have always been the lusty peasant workhorses like zinfandel, grenache and carignane. Among whites I do root for the elegant elite, but my choice is the underdog riesling.
No matter the varietal, I’m a devotee of wine every day wine, sometimes it’s everyday stuff, sometimes grander vintages. But wine is a part of my every day. And yours.
I’ll keep you informed.
2 Comments to Sez who? Sez me: Chris Sherman
Hey, Chris — call me. You ARE expected at BOBO New Year’s!!
ND
Happy New Year, Chris. Me and the Mrs. are off to the Florida Grape Growers annual convention on Jan. 8&9. The 2009 IL PRIMO is the best ever and I’ll get some professional input there before I send some to the upcoming competitions. You have got to taste it. BTW, have you heard that Chase Marden was “let go” from the Keel and Curley Winery?
Stay in touch. Paul.
November 20, 2009