B-21's B-Blog

So Who’s Behind The B-Blog?

Chris Sherman

Food and wine critic Chris Sherman files the B-21 Blog, swirling, sniffing and chewing on wine news and views from near and far. Sherman, author and former long-time columnist for the St. Petersburg Times and the Orlando Sentinel, will guide you through eating, cooking and living with wine, a few bottles of beer and a spot of spirits too. A B-21 Wine Company Publication (www.B-21.com).

 

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Bob Sprentall

Born and raised in Clearwater, Bob is the 3rd generation of this family business.  Bob has managed B-21 since 1981.  As B-21’s lead fine wine buyer in France, Italy, Australia, Spain, South Africa and New Zealand, Bob visits these countries each year tasting thousands of wines. Extensive traveling has made B-21 well known throughout the wine-world. (Email me: bob@b-21.com, Bob’s Picks)

Shannon Sprentall

I was Florida born and B-21 raised. Since the age of 10 I have accompanied my father throughout the years on buying trips all over world gaining knowledge on wine, food, and culture. Now a certified Sommelier and a fourth generation B-21’er, I’ve discovered an affinity for South American wines. I am now B-21’s Argentine and Chilean correspondent seeking out the “stars of the southern hemisphere”.  (Direct #: (727) 722-9105 , shannon@b-21.com, Shannon’s Picks)

Steve Rayman

I’ve been at B-21 on a daily basis since 1992.  My specialty is Italy especially the wines made from indigenous varietals. I will taste thousands of Italian wines annually both here and there and enjoy every moment. There are so many great Italian wines to choose from. Not a bad thing at all.  Zinfandel and Old Vine wines is another obsession of mine. This topic is much trickier but no less fascinating. (Direct #: (727) 722-9103, steve@b-21.com, Steve’s Picks)

 
Rhett Beiletti

So many different products, so many different countries, I wanted to learn them all. Of course I realize now how foolish that was, but I had to try. Over the last few years, 20+ yrs. in, I have come to understand my limitations (or at least some) and have decided to try to do the best with what I enjoy the most and what I feel I can communicate to people with the greatest efficacy; in essence, to specialize. The wines of France have become my focus. Though I enjoy them broadly, I follow Bordeaux, which I consider the cradle of wine civilization, most intently. (Direct #: (727) 722-9104, rhett@b-21.com, Rhett’s Picks)

Summer Martin

Spain has been a region of interest for me since I was a little girl growing up in Latin America and I first learned to speak Spanish from my teacher who hailed from Madrid. She taught us “Castellano” rather than “Español”. For a solid year my “S” sounded like “TH”, appropriately reflecting her dialect.  Follow me for ramblings on my favorite Spanish wines (and some Portuguese ones too!)  (Direct #: (727) 722-9106, summer@b-21.com, Summer’s Picks)

Shawn Reynolds

Many of you may remember me from my days at St. Larry’s of Palm Harbor. It was there where I cut my teeth on countless wines and was ultimately acquainted with B-21 Proprietor and local force of nature, Bob Sprentall.  In October 2009, I signed on with B-21 to handle the fantastic and varied wines of California.   (Direct #: (727) 722-9108, shawn@b-21.com, Shawn’s Picks)