Journalist Judith Smelser on Zoom Wine Tastings, Disney Sommeliers and How to Find Your Next Favorite Bottle of Wine

So, a guy walks into a wine bar. Actually, for a good chunk of 2020, no guys or gals were walking into any wine bars in Florida—unless it was to pick up a to-go order for drinking at home. Today, Judith Smelser will explain why this matters. Judith is the founder of Orlando Wine Blog and the wine columnist for Edible Orlando. She also holds a Level 2 Certification from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. Last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought Florida’s hospitality industry to a screeching halt, she started the podcast UnWineding to chronicle the effects on Florida’s wine-based businesses. She shares how wine bars got creative to survive, explains why Disney World is good for Orlando’s wine scene and offers suggestions for discovering your new favorite bottle of wine. We recorded our conversation in November 2020, but we think you'll find that it ages well—kinda like a fine wine.If you enjoyed this conversation with Judith Smelser, then check out these other interviews: Talking and Tasting Florida Wines (season  1, episode 15) Bourbon 101 with Nate Wilson (season 1, episode 7)