Wine is Talking and Jax is Listening

Jacksonville is long overdue for a love letter to the local wine scene. There are more than enough reasons to celebrate the unique and copious options to experience wine in our city. As a sommelier, I make it my life’s work to track down the best outlets for wine enjoyment. Whether I’m trying to indulge in perfect pairings, find an escape in a glass of wine, pick up a unique bottle after a long day or discover a new spot to imbibe, I have found several spots for vinous fulfillment in Jax. They all provide their own special kind of wine magic to eager palates.

A truly sensational combination for the palate is food and wine. Royal Palm Wine and Tapas in Atlantic Beach happens to bring the two together exceptionally well and have become known for their wine and tapas style dishes. I know what you are thinking, there are a million spots to eat and drink wine in the city. At Royal Palm you'll find the expertise, wine and dishes come together to create unforgettable pairing moments.

The staff has their own special way of making sure people gain a deeper appreciation for pairing vino and bites. With that kind of passion, it's easy to return again and again. Whether I stop in and ask for Kori, Kriss or Terrance for guidance, each expert can guarantee memorable drinking and eating moments throughout the night. They will take the time to listen to your preferences and find the perfect wine ofor you to sip. Not only that, they will tell you exactly what food to order to help make your wine sing.

One of my favorite pairing moments was when they guided me to a distinctive bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. They knew just what to do by recommending the indulgent roasted bone marrow as the accoutrement. Each bite and sip created a symphonic rich sensation on my palate. That’s just scratching the surface of the magical combinations from their wine selections and kitchen.

Along with food, travel comes to mind when thinking of wine. Some people swear that certain wines can take them back to their memories of enjoying a glass in that one small bistro across from the Eiffel Tower. I constantly seek out experiences with wine that can transport me. While I very rarely hear people compare Jacksonville to Paris, France, one local place might just change your mind - Le Petit Paris.

From the first moment I stepped into their cozy dining room, I felt the spirit of Paris. As you enter the front door with French flags dancing in the wind, the first thing that envelopes your senses are the pastry selections. Then, the exclusive French wine offerings bring everything home, while the sounds of Edith Piaf and other iconic French bistro music rings in your ears. I knew one sip of wine would reveal the streets of Paris to my mind’s eye.

My personal favorite way to experience Le Petit Paris is with a cheese plate and glass of wine. I would put them up against any bistro in Paris. Whether you are sipping a Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux or Pinot Noir from Burgundy, the cheese pairings are right on point. I believe it’s true that wine can take you to different places, cultures and moments in time. This bistro in the Mandarin neighborhood certainly embodies that sentiment.

All Spiced Up is the epitome of a neighborhood gathering place in Avondale. The home chef would definitely be in heaven in this shop, and the wine lover will be just as thrilled. They offer wines by the glass daily and everyone has the opportunity to simply grab a glass at any hour of the day. You can browse their unique culinary offerings with glass in hand. I tend to opt to forget my troubles while posting up with a glass at their communal seating space. It doesn’t get much better than sipping on unique wines and watching the world go by.

Above all, Ana (the owner) and Bronwyn (chef and manager) provide the best reason to stop in to grab a bottle or a glass: they give All Spiced Up a heart and soul. They do something quite refreshing with the wines they offer, as well. The dynamic duo choose to feature wines not easily sourced throughout town or online. That way, you can almost guarantee you have never tried the wines they are featuring. In a wine world where the “familiar” seems to be an easier sell, the All Spiced Up ladies believe in expanding every palate that walks through the door.

The feeling of unearthing a hidden gem in the world of wine is quite lovely, and it just so happens a local bierhalle provides this opportunity for everyone. With beer so prominently featured in the name, it’s easy to overlook Buchner’s Bierhalle as a wine destination. However, there is so much more than just beer in this Murray Hill oasis. The German-themed spot has successfully bridged their passion for beer and wine, while staying quite true to their German roots. The wines they offer are astute representations of what you would find as a local roaming the streets of Berlin.

For those with an open mind, the lesser known German and Austrian whites and reds offer palate expanding opportunities. Personally, I like a pretzel the size of my head to my left and a glass of tantalizing Riesling to my right. One can’t help but get carried away with the European vibe of the bar. I recommend you rethink Riesling, don’t worry about mispronouncing spatburgunder and most importantly go here to discover a new spot for esoteric and authentic wines.

You now know there are myriad ways to interact with wine in Jax, and the level of passion in our local wine outlets only continues to rise. Now, get out there, grab a glass, have a bite and create your own wine adventure in Jacksonville. I know that’s what I will be doing.

Here's where to find these wine outlets:  Royal Palm Village Wine & Tapas, 296 Royal Palms Dr, Atlantic Beach, Le Petit Paris, 9965 San Jose Boulevard Suite 46, Jacksonville, All Spiced Up, 3543 St. Johns Avenue, Jacksonville, Buchner's Bierhalle, 1188 Edgewood Ave. S, Jacksonville