Weekly Wine Tasting at Sonesta Coconut Grove: Killer View Included

All photos by Laine Doss

Barry Alberts and Maribel Mazariegos toast to one of the longest running wine tastings.

​Every Friday evening for almost 20 years, wine educator Barry Alberts has been hosting a weekly wine tasting series, making it one of the longest ongoing wine tastings in the country. Is this weekly gathering of wine and the people who love it in Napa? Paris? New York? Nah, it's in Coconut Grove!

Every Friday, Panorama Restaurant and Sky Lounge, on the eighth floor of the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove, hosts Albert's weekly wine tasting. Starting at 7 p.m., wine lovers will enjoy a tasting of ten different wines and complimentary fruit and cheese, while Alberts explains each pour.

Each week boasts a different theme, which could be based on grape type, region, or country of origin. Last week's Wines of Chile featured ten wines, ranging from delicate Sauvignon Blancs to a rich Carmenere.

The view from The Panaroma Restaurant in Coconut Grove is spectacular.

​The tasting allows each individual to go at their own pace, which makes the evening a great way to meet new people. Our tasting turned into a fabulous cocktail party, with people mingling and laughing over some very nice wine and cheese. Especially fetching was the full moon over Miami, though the view is breathtaking even without the fabulous moon.

The tasting is $15, payable in cash only (there is an ATM in the lobby for people like us who only carry plastic), and includes a ten-wine tasting, complimentary cheese and fruit and free valet parking at the hotel (make sure your ticket is validated).

If you'd like to stay for dinner afterward, The Panaroma Restaurant offers a $35 three-course dinner menu, which varies weekly.

Follow Short Order on Facebook and Twitter @Short_Order.