Dick Young, Paris, France
Originally posted July 9, 2020.
When I am not in France, I buy my French and Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Rhone Valley Syrah from “The Wine Guy,” Mark Gambuzza.
Mark is based on the tiny, semi-tropical island of Key West, just 90 miles from Cuba.
Debbie and I have lived in Old Town Key West, only blocks from Mark’s shop, for three decades.
We see Mark, frequently, as part of our regular lunchtime foray to our favorite Key West haunt, The Thirsty Mermaid.
Mark specializes in case and half-case personal Old Town scooter delivery – a convenient door-to-door luxury service to be sure.
I have talked with Mark about wine so much over the years that I now trust him to bring me the best of his latest arrivals, all in the moderate 12.5% –13.5% alcohol range that works best with Pinot Noir and Syrah.
By way of introduction to Mark’s unique wine program for our horde of thirsty, warm weather loving aficionados.
A votre santé,
Dick
P.S. As COVID reinvents itself and more and more visitors are likely to wanting warmer climates, Dick and I are reintroducing readers to our friend Mark Gambuzza, owner of UVA Wine Shoppe in Old Town, Key West. Mark also runs a business group called Mom and Pop Businesses of Key West. By Mark’s own testimony (and by our observations), he is a proud entrepreneur who believes anyone can run a business, yet still have a positive impact on both the community and the environment
The outstanding UVA carries a wonderful selection of smaller produced wines from around the world, especially prestigious wines from little known, highly regarded vineyards from Europe. The focus is mainly on wines that have been produced using organic and biodynamic viniculture methods.
Mark’s expertise at UVA is his ability in rotating selections of wines not usually poured in most local establishments.
Mark’s business and members of his fellow Business Group promote a community that highlights the “real” Key West.
From my and Dick’s 30 years of living in the Southernmost City, we can attest to an amazing community steeped in history, culture, art and architecture. Residents of Key West take great pride in having people like Mark’s positive influence on our community through involvement in causes that support KW residents in sustaining a healthy economy and environment.
When in Key West, Mark warmly invites you to stop at UVA. Perhaps we will bump into one another there.
Cheers, Debbie and Dick
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