Local Flavors

Last month I attended the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. A food and wine lover’s paradise, the event is held yearly, and offers locals and tourists a great opportunity to experience outstanding food, fun and entertainment. In year’s past, the other 46 states have been featured, with Virginia, Hawaii and New York making an appearance. This year was no different with Florida marking their first visit to the marketplace with beverages from the Florida Beer Company and Florida Orange Groves & Winery.

Opening their doors in September of 1997, Florida Orange Groves & Winery quickly became the premier producer of tropical, citrus and berry wines in the sunshine state. Located in St. Petersburg, the winery produces over 43 different wines and are the only Florida wines allowed to display the Florida Department of Citrus’ official mark of superior quality – the Florida Sunshine Tree.

With so many choices and a long day of tasting and eating ahead, I opted for the Florida Shrimp Ceviche with Fire Roasted Vegetables, Fried Plantains and Cilantro paired alongside the Florida Orange Grove Key Limen. Nothing says “Florida” more than Key Lime, and the Key Limen proved the perfect match. Fresh, delicious and local!