Bess and Harrys Grand Tasting: Key West Food & Wine Festival

All photos by Jake Romoser

Underneath a wide, white tent on the lawn of the Truman Little White House dozens of wine vendors from across the country set up tasting stations. Guests snacked on passed hors d'oeuvre's and filled their glasses with the latest vino on the market.

Now in it's second year, the Key West Food and Wine Festival started the weekend off right with Bess and Harry's Grand Tasting.

Vendors formed the edges of the tent while a large cheese and bread display from The Restaurant Store took center stage. 

Endive, Bleu Cheese, Cranberries & Walnuts

One of the prettiest plated dishes came from Great Events Catering. The extreme textures of Endive, Bleu Cheese, Cranberries and Walnuts mixed together nicely. I'm not too fond of endive, so I would have preferred either larger portions of cheese or some other type of base.

Callia Alta Torrontes

The Callia Alta Torrontes from Argentina left a nice, crisp taste on my palette with its dry finish. The floral notes weren't too sweet and I felt refreshed after finishing my sample.

Conch & Snapper Ceviche in Asian Spoons

I wasn't expecting any non-wine vendors, but to my surprise there was, of all things, tequila. A nice woman from Opici Wine & Spirits of Florida poured me some BooYa, a silver tequila made from pure agave nectar and rated higher than Patron. The shot I was given went down smooth, and I gladly shouted the brand's catchphrase "BooYa!" afterward.

Passion Fruit and Chocolate

At first I wasn't sure how to really talk about wine. Although I drink it often, I'm not exactly a Master Sommelier. One of the wisest things I learned throughout the two-hour tasting came from a vendor named Ron. 

"Nobody can tell you what's in your palette," he said. 

And you know what, he's right.