Perhaps a bottle of rose instead... inspired by the Billy Joel song, below you can find some wines to enjoy during your stay at Bella Vista. Our 25th floor oceanfront balcony is the perfect spot to enjoy sipping a glass of wine with a lovely charcuterie board as you wind down the day.
When thinking about the wines that I enjoy most, I realized that the vast majority of them actually originate from one place. Not the source of the wine, but actually where I discovered them! Aside from Myrtle Beach, one of our favorite vacation spots in the world is actually on the One Happy Island of Aruba. A part of the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba is the first of what are called the "ABC Islands" which also include Bonaire and Curacao.
And on that happy island, our happiest place to be is a lovely spot called Carte Blanche, where we have spent many hours enjoying the finest cuisine the Caribbean has to offer. We have been coming back to this same restaurant every year (except 2020, boo for COVID) for as long as we can remember, back when they were running out of a cozy spot that had once been small storefront near the old Dutch Windmill.
Since those early days, Carte Blanche has moved twice, to the Tara & Bucuti resort, then finally settled into a lovely spot within an easy drive of the timeshare we own. The concept is brilliant, it is a small restaurant that serves 14 guests and has only one seating per night. It is like a dinner party where you don't know anyone at the start of the night but by the end you all are chatting like the oldest friends in the world. All of this magic is hosted by Michelin-trained Chef Dennis van Daatselaar and his Maitre'D Glen Bonset.
There is no menu to speak of, you just get to watch the chef in action and each part of the meal is a surprise! And with each course, an expertly-paired wine is offered that perfectly complements the flavors of the dish being served. So when I needed to pick someone's brain about wines, I could think of no better person than our buddy Glen!
So without further ado, here are Glen's recommendations for wines, some are quite reasonable and some are a splurge you might want to save for a special occasion. Over the years, I have discovered many of my absolute favorite wines after a dinner at Carte Blanche!
Whites
Riesling
Dr. Loosen Riesling from Mosel River in Germany
Dr. Konstantin Frank Riesling from the Finger Lakes in New York
Sauvignon Blanc
Beringer Bros Tequila Barrel Aged Sauvignon Blanc from California
Michel Redde Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc from Loire Valley, France
Chenin Blanc
Spier Chenin Blanc from South Africa
Chardonnay
Raymond Reserve Chardonnay from Napa
Louis Latour Bourgogne Chardonnay from Burgundy, France
Louis Jadot Bourgogne Chardonnay from Burgundy, France
Chardonnays from the Mersault and Puligny-Montrachet regions
Prosecco
Villa Sandi Millesimato Prosecco from Treviso, Italy
Reds
Malbec
Alta Vista Alizarine Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina
Cabernet Sauvignon
Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa
Pinot Noir
Etude Grace Benoist Pinot Noir from Carneros, Napa
Merlot
Duckhorn Merlot from Napa
Zinfandel
Rombauer Zinfandel from Napa
Blends
Penfolds Cellar Reserve Cabernet/Shiraz blend from Australia
Castello di Gabbiano Cavaliere d'Oro Toscana from Tuscany, Italy; this is a Super Tuscan blend that's very affordable
Chateau Chantemerle from Medoc, Bordeaux; this Cabernet/Merlot blend is great value for price
Many thanks to Glen Bonset of Restaurant Carte Blanche for this wonderful list of recommendations. If you ever find yourself planning a trip to the beautiful island of Aruba, be sure to book your reservations well in advance of arriving. They are the originators of this dining concept on the island, so don't be mistaken by imitators, they are THE BEST! You can learn more about this amazing dining experience in this lovely article about Carte Blanche.
Wine Shops
While you're in Myrtle Beach, check out some local shops to pick out your favorite vintages. We recommend you call ahead, if you are looking for something specific from the list above.
Coastal Wine Boutique & Tasting Room
4884-A Highway 17 South, NMB
The Wine Shoppe
3809 Highway 17 South, NMB
Charcuterie
And what would wine be without a lovely charcuterie board to go along with it? While you could certainly shop for all the items to make one yourself, on vacation it is a fun thing to splurge on!
I love supporting local companies, so when you're here, check out this woman-run business for the most delectable boards around. Plus I appreciate that she also partners with a local produce guy in town to source fresh veggies for her boards!
Well, that's our round up for wine recommendations! Have a wine that you absolutely love? Please share it with us in the comments below. Cheers!