Held on the fairways of the Caymanas Golf Course and billed as Jamaica’s premier all-inclusive party, Climax! 2017 did not disappoint. Each year this event boasts the largest wine bar and wine list on the party scene, and for me it acts as a harbinger of sorts for the year in wine to come.

SELECT BRANDS WINE BAR

Importer/distributor Select Brands was the wine purveyor for the 2017 edition of the Frenchmen Climax, and the huge tent in the middle of the food court signalled the significance and importance of wine to this event, which draws people from near and far, locally and internationally, to start the year off with a bang. The wine bar was jam-packed from party start until close to midnight. The Select Brands wine ambassadors worked non-stop to serve patrons shouting for red, white, champagne, moscato, anything sweet, anything sparkling, Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio.

WINES

There were lots to choose from, with just about two dozen choices at the wine bar; no wine lover could complain about not finding something to drink from all the major wine-producing regions. A wide range of red wine choices including Malbec, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, St Emilion and red blend. White wine lovers could choose from Pinot Grigio, Viognier, Chablis, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and the massively popular Moscato, which was available in still or sparkling.

Wine appreciation is on the upward swing in Jamaica; this was evident from the types of requests, the details in the wine selections and the wider range in ages of the people drinking wine.

Happy New Year to you! Here’s wishing you all good health, increased wealth, and much happiness. Thank you for being such loyal readers.

Christopher Reckord – Information Technology Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram @chrisreckord and on Twitter: @Reckord