I’m no wine expert. Look up the antonym of oenophile (I Googled that word) and you’ll find guzzler, swiller and Robyn George among the entries.
I was anxious (concerned, apprehensive and fretful to give synonyms equal play) when I was scheduled to go to Flock Wine Bistro.
My only wine knowledge came from my Portuguese grandfather who made 100-some gallons of it a year from red and white grapes shipped from California. He used it as a table wine and for cooking — rabbit in wine, beef and onions in wine, wine biscuits, more rabbit, followed by even more rabbit.
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The wine gene must be recessive because it was stomped, crushed and smashed right there.
Before going to the south Fort Myers bistro, I used my phone-a-friend lifeline and called former JLB extraordinaire Annabelle Tometich. I wasn’t sure if she was a wine aficionado, connoisseur or enthusiast, but I saw bottles of wine in her home when I dog-sat, and that was good enough for me.
I also knew I would be in good hands with Flock owners Matteo Affatati and Alyson Casey. The couple met in Rome where Affatati owned and operated a café for 12 years. They relocated to Casey’s hometown of Fort Myers after their 2016 wedding, bringing a taste of the Mediterranean with them.
Inspired by aperitivo — an Italian tradition of whetting one’s appetite with drinks and small dishes, Flock opened two months ago, nestled just off Cypress Lake Drive.
My concerns dissipated as we walked through the door and into the modern-yet-homey dining room for the 3 p.m. happy hour. Given the choice, we selected a seat by the window among the dozen or so ideally spaced tables where conversations stay comfortably within each group.
The wine list features offerings by the glass and bottle from Sicily, New Zealand, Chile, Umbria, Spain, Argentina and beyond.
Our server was an unexpected gift — friendly, knowledgeable, basically someone you would have a glass of wine with.
Not sure which wine to get? Tell her if you like dry, sweet or something in between and she’ll whisk away to bring you a taste. She offered us a wine on the by-the-bottle-only list that was available by the glass that day.
That Ponzi pinot gris with hints of passionfruit, kumquat and kiwi had Annabelle sipping happily, while Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson’s Intercept cabernet scored points with me (I’m funny when I drink wine).
Making the food highlight reel (and I thought wine wasn’t fun) was the $20 happy hour special of a personal charcuterie board with two meats, two cheeses and accoutrements, plus a glass of house wine, all intricately described by our server and a perfect size for one.
The speck and porcini pinsa Romana was also a nice surprise. Described as a cross between a pizza and a flatbread but trending more toward the latter, it was topped with smoked ham, porcini mushrooms, mozzarella and caramelized onions. None of the flavors were overwhelming, allowing the crunchably light yet chewable dough to shine.
The small-plate menu features mussels and seafood dishes as well as gnocchi. The gnocchi amatriciana — cherry tomatoes confit, guanciale and pecorino — was a refreshing contrast to the other dishes.
Greens are an option as well, with the server-recommended Gorgonzola and guanciale being a winning choice.
The only drawback was the eventual lack of room from all our boards, plates, bowls and glasses. Our Tetris-master of a server managed it well though.
Just when we thought we could eat no more, along came the sweet board with homemade tiramisu, more cheese, chocolate, and fresh fruit. We tackled it admirably.
As we feasted, talked and drank, other patrons drifted in and out, conversations bubbling up here and there.
Nearly two hours later, we left.
And that’s what Flock is — friends gathering and chatting over wine and shared plates.
If you go, you’ll be in good hands.
And you don’t even have to be a wine expert.
Jean Le Boeuf is the brand under which our restaurant critics have written for more than 40 years. This article came from staff writer Robyn George. Connect: rhgeorge@gannett.com.
Flock Wine Bistro
9405 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers
Price: $$
Call: 239-245-7105
Hours: 3-10 p.m. Monday to Saturday; Happy hour 3-6 p.m.
Sample menu
The Boards
Charcuterie Flock, $30
Seaboard, $35
Bruschetta Flight, $20
Small Plates
Mussel sauté, $12
Gnocchi amatriciana, $15
Wine by the glass, $9-17
*Hours and prices subject to change
What the symbols mean
$: Average entree is less than $15
$$: $15-$25
$$$: $25-$35
$$$$: $35-$45
$$$$$: $45 and up
