South Beach Wine & Food Fest: survival guide

From good shoes to lots of water, here's how to survive (and enjoy) the SBWFF.

Justine Colee, right (blue dress) and friends taste Parducci Wine Cellers wine at the American Express Grand Tasting in the Publix Grand Tasting Village at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival Saturday afternoon on Miami Beach. Photo: John Vanbeekum.

Member rating: 4

By Fred Gonzalez

Footwear
No heels, ladies. No fancy shoes, guys. Wear your best sneakers, sandals or flip-flops. It's all about comfort, because you'll be on your feet and on the sands of South Beach for a long time. For tips on shoes that meet both style and comfort standards, read our shoe guide.

Scalping
So every event is sold out, huh? Yeah, right. There will be plenty of folks selling tickets outside the events, and at times you can get some deals. Just make sure to know what the original face value is before starting negotiations.

Strategy
Once the Grand Tasting Village is open, make your way to the far end of the second tent and work your way back toward the main entrance. There will be shorter lines, and you can hit the food, wine and liquor samples with no hassle. Think of it like a reverse commute, but with drinking allowed.

Rules of Engagement
When you get to the tasting tables, let them pour you a dollop, chat with the winemaker for a minute, then move aside. The most unpopular people at such tastings are those who plant themselves in front of the tables and carry on 20-minute conversations, keeping others from being served.

Half Glass
Don't demand a full glass of anything. This is a sampling, not a frat party. You shouldn't expect more than a 3/4-inch pour. (By the same token, don't load your plate with 37 pieces of boiled octopus at the food tables. It's a tasting, not an Army chow line.)

Take Notes
They'll give you a tasting book for that. You'll feel pretty dumb tomorrow if you start waxing eloquent about that fab cab you discovered, then can't remember its name.

Spit
Each table will have a bucket. Use it!

Waste is Good
If you don't like the way something smells or tastes, just toss it. No need to waste energy (and a good buzz) when there's plenty of other things to try.

Think H2O
Hit the detox tent (aka any bottled water stand like Evian, Fiji, etc.) regularly or you might be sorry come 5 p.m. Heat and alcohol are not a friendly combination.

Power in Numbers
If you go in a group to the Tasting Village, hit different tables so everyone can reconvene to report what was good and what wasn't.

Take Aim
Usually some of the really good food runs out later in the day. If there's something you want to try, check your guide, head over there and don't delay, because it might not be there later.

Not all Good
Don't expect all the wine to be exceptional. Some of it is downright awful. A lot of companies are showing off their products -- high and low end -- for clients and families.

Finish Strong
Plan a grand gathering of your group one hour before the tasting ends to rev the party up. Usually there's a liquor-sponsored lounge area between the two tents with a DJ, perfect for a rendezvous to finish off the day.

Published: 2/09

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What you said

BadruttsPlace

Posted on Fri, 02.20.2009 @ 17:34

Visit Badrutt's Place - we're sampling amazing homemade vahlrona chocolate pate and rum raisn bread pudding both served with mojito creme anglaise - so yummy please join us! ... Read more

DJBradach

Posted on Thu, 02.19.2009 @ 16:17

Great tips. The one I love to promote is to ask the servers to remember that red wine is often served much to warm and please put those bottles in some ice a couple of times an hour. Nothing is worse than tasting a 80 degree Pinot Noir! david@winefestnews.com... Read more