3 Wines To Keep You Warm In Southwest Florida

Thanks to Juggernaut for inviting me to review one of their wines.  They provided me with a bottle of free wine in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

You have to admit, we've had some crazy weather in the Fort Myers and Naples areas this winter season. I've already worn all of the sweaters I  still have which is unusual. I've also been cooking more and nesting. I think a lot of people do that when it is cold and or rainy. Food and wine go hand in hand for me. So what are the best things to drink when the temps dip besides hot toddies? Here are wines to keep you warm in Southwest Florida during these cold winter snaps and for Wine Wednesday.

Spoiler alert. They are all red. I know there are people who only drink white and there are certainly some robust selections that will stand up to hearty winter foods. Perhaps I'll address those in another post. However, today it is all about cozy reds.

I went to the Naples Winter Wine Festival over the weekend and got to try wines I'll never see on restaurant menus and store shelves. There were lots of hard to find producers and vintages. It was dreamy. Scroll down for a few photos of the event. However, now I'm back to reality and have to scour local retailers and online sites for shipping. All of these selections are available in Southwest Florida.

One more thing. If you're looking for some delicious and comforting soup recipes to pair with these wines to keep you warm, click here for a few that should do the trick.

There is nothing like this event anywhere else in Southwest Florida. Heck, anywhere else in the United States. It's an exclusive event and it attracts people from around the country and also the world. Tickets start at $15,000. I've been fortunate enough to cover this event for several years as a food and wine writer. Just when I think I've seen it all, the wine God's surprise me. I'm taking you behind the scenes at the 33 Million Dollar Naples Winter Wine Fest (NWWF). Yes, $33 million was raised in one afternoon. Amazing.

The NWWF is one of the most successful wine auctions in the country and the world. The money is donated to 60 different charities that support underprivileged and at risk kids. The festival began in 2001 and over the years has raised $269 million. It's held on the lawn at The Ritz Carlton, Tiburon and begins with an epic food and wine tasting. Ritz Carlton chefs from around the country serve creative bites and there are tables full of breads, cheeses and desserts. Delicious.

Next, tables full of wine. Selections include many you'll never see on any wine list in Southwest Florida. They are rare vintages, large formats and from cult wine producers. Some are wines you will only see in the cellars of avid collectors. However, here you can taste them with abandoned. Go!

Those photos don't even scratch the surface of the wow wines that were served and the beautiful small bites. Besides the food, there was fashion under the tent. Dress to impress. That was the memo. Outstanding.

Finally, patrons were ushered into a huge auction tent. Ready, set, go. $320,000 was raised on the first lot. There were 50 lots and the $10 million mark was hit less than half way through. However, minds were blown at lot #29. It brought in $2.7 million. Six couples sail around the Mediterranean on a private yacht with a crew of 27 plus a few more perks. Wow.

Meanwhile, here are a few more photos. Check them out. Bravo on a job will done.