Frank Reider is Passionate About South American Wine

John Zur

Frank Reider

​Frank Reider says, "People shouldn't be intimidated by wine. They should come out and try and learn." His knowledge of the Chilean and Argentinean wines in his book, Wines of Passion: The Best of South America, is remarkable. The writing is reminiscent of a tour guide, whose zeal for his work comes naturally, as he takes you on a tasting through the Andes and across the desert of Mendoza

Frank, once head of corporate lending for Chase Manhattan Bank in Brazil, began a tourism magazine that combined his skills in journalism with his love of South America. Then, while he owned and operated five-star hotels in Brazil, he discovered just how comparable many South American wines (whose vines have been transported from Europe in the 1850s) were to French, Italian, Spanish, Australian, and Californian.

Gol! The Taste of Brazil is Reider's celebrated Brazilian steakhouse in Delray Beach. His restaurant features many wines from vineyards Frank has visited. And all of the wines on his nationally recognized wine list have been tasted by the author.

John Zur

​In conjunction with the recent publication of his book Wines of Passion: The Best of South America, Frank has been hosting wine tastings. 660 at the Angler's hosted the first such tasting/ three-course wine dinner. For $66 per person, each guest received a signed copy of the book, dinner, wine pairings, and the accessibility to speak with Frank about the wines.

Frank hopes his guests and readers learn to enthusiastically appreciate South American wines. He hopes his next project will be blind tastings where participant determine whether wines are from South America or France, for example. "They're going to be surprised," he says.

The next wine dinner will be held at Red The Steakhouse on September 16. Frank will introduce a new set of Chilean wines.