Alliance of Sommeliers
The Alliance of Sommeliers is a wine tasting that meets once a month at different restaurants in the Orlando area to discuss food and wine. You don't need to be a wine sommelier or any kind of expert to join. All you need is a desire to explore the world of wine and food.
Originally founded in 1972 as a chapter of the Sommelier Guild of Florida the group became the Alliance of Sommeliers. Originally, the group had 3 sommeliers on the board Reid Rapport, Dennis Kirkwood and Ed Cazel.
This group is one of the oldest wine tasting groups in the country. Some of the members are third generation in their families to continue the wine learning experience.
Wine and food pairnings have evolved over the half century of this wine groups existence. We strive to keep our tastings current and informative without becoming overbearing. New members continually rejuvinate the group as we find new areas of wine exploration.
If you'd like to be placed on our email list to receive future wine tasting notices. The next wine tasting event notice is included below.
Cheers
Let's Study Tannins
Get Ready to Pucker Up
Please join us at 4:00 pm on Sunday, July 13, 2025 for “A Study of Tannins”
4:00 p.m. Greet followed by 4:30 p.m. Tasting
Location: Aurora Restaurant at the Celeste Hotel
4105 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32826
Tannins form the basis of structure in red wines—and they’re the primary determinant of the longevity of red wines. White wine contains tannins as well, but in significantly lower concentrations; their ageability is mostly determined by their acid and sugar levels. The types of tannins in wine can be influenced by a number of factors—grape variety, conditions in the vineyard, vineyard management practices, vintage variation, and winemaking practices. Paying attention to the character of the tannins in a wine can give insight into the stage of a wine’s development and its potential for aging.
Join DJ Silverberg for an interactive and participatory tasting using a technique to isolate tannins and acidity in wines that DJ learned from his friend and Master of Wine Jean Reilly. We will taste the wines on their own and with food to see the interaction of the food and wine, and how each may influence the other during a dining or tasting experience.
Member & Co-Member or Guest: $75.00 each
All others $90.00 each
Food-Only or Wine-Only: $55.00
RSVP to cheers@orlandosomm.com.
Greet: Gulp – Hablo – La Mancha Spain – 2023
First Pairing – Light
Evesham Wood Pinot Noir 2023
Serol Cote Roannaise Eclat de Granite 2022
Food pairing
Burrata
Local Mixed Greens | House Made Croutons | Fresh Basil | Cracked Black Pepper | Balsamic Spheres
Second Pairing – Moderate
Wapisa Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Riserva 2020
Food pairing
Nueske Carbonara
Smoked Nueske Bacon | Spaghetti | Parmesan Reggiano | Eggs
Third Pairing – Jam-Packed
Vizcarra Ribera del Duero 2020
Garzon Tannat Single Vineayrd 2022
Food pairing
Ribeye
Local Corn Puree | Blistered Tomato | Asparagus | Peppercorn Demi-Glace