Articles and Information regarding Wine Tasting and events in Atlanta and Buckhead Georgia.

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Vino!

Wine Tastings every Tuesday

5-8pm

2900 Peachtree Rd N.E
Atlanta GA
404-816-0511

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Palate Wine Bar

321 W. Hill St.
Suite 7B
Decatur
404-373-4702

Wine tasting every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. followed by live Jazz with Nicole Chillemi and guest. Sample featured wines paired with food. $10. Every Sunday is Finish the Bottle from 6-10 p.m. All open bottles from the list of 54 wines are discounted.

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Grapes and Hops Bar and Bistro
4856 Hog Mountain Rd
Flowery Branch, Ga 30542

April 22nd
6pm - 7pm

We are happy to announce the first ever Italian wine tasting with some exciting new wines that are the first in Georgia! Peach State Distributors, Susan Favret, will be hosting the event and we will have bragging rights to be the first to try these great Italian Wines. Special appetizers by Chef Timmy Lee and Artisan cheeses by Publix on Spout Springs.

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Maggiano's Littly Italy in Buckhead

3368 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30327

May 1st
7pm - 10pm

Join us for our 5th anniversary of an evening of wine, food, friends, and fun all to benefit the March of Dimes of Georgia.  The evening will include the opportunity to taste over 50 wines from around the world complimented by specialties from Maggiano's Little Italy in Buckhead, talk with wine representatives, and enjoy a silent auction.  The evening will conclude with dessert and coffee.  Reservations are recommended.

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Habersham Winery
7025 S. Main St.
Helen, GA 30545

May 3rd
12:00 - 5pm

Complimentary tastings by members of the Winegrowers Association of Georgia. Expected participants include: Blackstock Vineyards, Chateau Elan, Crane Creek, Frogtown Cellars, Habersham, Montaluce, Persimmon Creek, Sharp Mountain,Tiger Mountain and Wolf Mountain Vineyards. Food, Live Music, Wine Arts & Crafts and Georgia Wine Industry Information. $10 Admission includes souvenir wine glass.

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The Ravinia Club
2 Ravinia Drive (I-285 at Ashford-Dunwoody Road)
Atlanta, GA 30023

May 7th
7pm - 9:30pm

It is going to be Zinfandels dry, Zins fruity, Zins tart, sparkling Zins, Zinfandel dessert wines, Zins brassy and bold--at least 75 or more for guests to quaff at the Atlanta Chapter of the American Wine Society's second annual memorial Zinfandel Festival honoring the late Atlatna Zin Fest Founder Richard Czerwinski. It is THE festival paying tribute to American's most famous wine grape

Wine makers from American and around the world are turning out a whole host of Zin varieties. This is your chance to try many of the new vintages or re-acquaint yourself with old favorites.

Admissions require $25 per person for wine society chapter members and their first guest, $35 per person for non members or individuals paying with credit cards.

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Publix Apron's Cooking School
4305 State Bridge Rd
Alpharetta, GA 30022

May 10th
7pm - 9pm

CLASS TYPE / FORMAT / COST - Pairing Topics / Demonstration / $45

DESCRIPTION - Whether you are a cost-conscious wine connoisseur or are just looking for more wine wisdom, this is the class for you. We will explore several value-priced vintages and varietals from around the globe. Many of these wines have been rated a 90+ by Wine Spectator magazine.

MENU - These wines will be accompanied by some of our resident chefs favorite dishes

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Stella Neighborhood Trattoria
563 Memorial Drive
Atlanta, GA 30312

May 18th
3pm - 6pm

Stella Neighborhood Trattoria is hosting the best block party in town, and you’re invited! The Stella Neighborhood Party will be on Sunday, May 18 from 3-6pm. We’re going to rock the block with $1.50 pizza slices, drink specials, free cake, and music. You can even enter the “Stella� yelling contest. The best “Stella yella� will win a $100 gift card to Stella. It’s a neighborhood party, so no RSVP or reservations needed. Just bring your friends and meet the neighbors-and some new friends-for the best block party this year!

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Murphy's
97 Virginia Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA 30306

May 27th
6:30 -7:30pm

Join Murphy’s in the Wine Shop for a themed wine tasting. Tickets are $20 and go on sale Tuesday at 10:30 am. We pour eight to 10 wines, and if you stay for dinner, you get $5 off any entrée over $11.
The tasting starts at 6:30 pm.

May 27 - Sauvignon Blanc

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ISG Wine Fundamentals Certificate Level 1 & Level 2

The Art Institute of Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
Toll free 1-866-412-0464, 770-689-4764

Feb 3rd – May 11th
1pm – 8pm
$1500.00

Wine & Spirit education certificates leading to entrance into the Sommelier Diploma Program.
Fees include textbooks, materials, wines and examinations

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The Grapevine of Atlanta

Do you consider yourself a wine connoisseur? Do you like to try new and exotic wines in an entertaining atmosphere? Then Atlanta is the right place for you!

Atlanta is one of the premiere cities in the southeast when it comes to art, culture, cuisine and wines.

A multitude of restaurants, wineries, and luxury resorts in the area offer some of the finest wine around and frequently hold wine tasting events. Some even offer special classes that teach the art of wine making and wine tasting.

Below is a list of places and events you might want to check out:

Château Élan - Within the sweeping panorama of the north Georgia foothills, just 40 minutes north of Atlanta, but a world away from the bustling city is Château Élan Winery & Resort. Spanning 3,500 acres, French provincial and Southern hospitality combine to produce a superb leisure resort and conference destination.

In addition to quality wines, Château Élan offers a fine resort, a variety of dining establishments, an exotic day spa, a golf course, an equestrian show center, a rock climbing tower, a culinary studio, and guided tours. They recently hosted the 11th Annual 2007 Vineyard fest. Check out their website at: www.chateauelan.com.

ENO Restaurant and wine bar- ENO, Atlanta’s true European Mediterranean inspired restaurant and wine bar, or enoteca, has come to epitomize European-Mediterranean quality of life in Atlanta. This 95-seat restaurant and 30-seat wine bar with wrap-around sidewalk café is located in Midtown Atlanta, the city’s fastest growing and trendiest in-town neighborhood. Eno is a quality fine dining restaurant and casual enoteca or wine bar that imbibes the slower, more relaxed pace enjoyed by many in the Mediterranean. ENO takes on the chic energy of its Midtown location while exuding a very cosmopolitan sensibility.

Eno is also known for its luxurious multi-style works of art that adorn the walls, and it’s Barrelman Wine and Cheese Shop. www.enorestaurant.com

Wine South-Wine South is one of metro-Atlanta's largest and most prestigious wine and food events. Wine South 2007 will move in town to Downtown Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Center, and will take place will take place from September 28-30, 2007 from 1- 5 pm.

There will be more than 250 different wineries to sample from, as well as tidbits from some of metro-Atlanta's finest multi-cultural restaurants. There will be educational and interactive wine seminars, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, wine-related art exhibits, and live music all weekend long. Reserve event tickets are $185 in advance. For more detailed information visit, www.atlanta.about.com/od/winelovers/a/winesouth.htm or the official Wine South webpage at: www.winesouth.com/indexmain.htm.

International Food and Wine Festival

Walt Disney World - Epcot Center

September 28th – November 11th

Wine Tasting, culinary demonstrations and some of the worlds finest chef’s makes a visit to the International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World one not to be missed. Every year Epcot Center host the event allowing people from all over the world to explore and discover various world cuisine, spirits, wine and desserts in over 50 different countries around the globe in Epcot Centers World Showcase. Simply purchase an Epcot Center Theme Park Ticket and enjoy sampling the fine cuisine, wine and spirits from all over the world.

Temp yourself at each international marketplace with appetizer portions averaging from $2.00 - $4.00 and pair the flavor with recommended wine, beer or spirit samplings. Although there are over 50 countries represented, some of my personal favorites include; South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, Italy, France and Australia.

Special Exhibits found along the promenade, showcase native cuisines and offer demonstrations that give insight as well as taste.  One of my favorites is the Australian Walkabout, allowing you to discover Down Under. Purchase a walkabout passport and enjoy tastings of four major wine regions. Not only are the wines from the country, but you will also enjoy talking to the fascinating people that live there further educating you about their country. Make sure to also check out the American Wine Adventure featuring Napa Valley and New York Wine Regions, The Andes Mountain Wine Bar and the International Beers of the World Exhibit.  I would also suggest the Champagne and Wine Bar (another favorite of mine) were visitors can try different Champagnes or purchase one by the glass. It’s the perfect place to sit down, take a break and do some people watching while enjoying a good glass of Champagne.

The International Food & Wine Festival is not only about food and wine; it includes the, “Eat to the Beat Concert Series!� Give your taste buds a rest and groove to the sounds of your favorite musical acts live on stage. Entertainment includes; The Beach Boys, David Cassidy, Little Richard, The Four Tops, Village People, Expose and many more!

Epcot has also prepared sumptuous premium dining events hosted by some of the finest Chef’s & Wine connoisseurs in the world. Make sure to visit the International food & Wine Festival website to sign up for these spectacular and educational events. Space is limited and reservations are required.

This is not an event to miss!

Call your local travel agent or contact Walt Disney World Direct for more information.

Hotel Reservations: disneyworld.disney.go

International Food & Wine Festival: Click Here

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The Perfect Wine

All wine drinkers want the same thing: the perfect glass of wine.  As drinking wine becomes more and more popular, great, innovative products keep appearing on store shelves to make that goal possible. 

One problem many of us face is storing wine after the bottle has been opened.  We’ve all tried the vacuum caps and other methods of open storage, but rarely maintain the quality, taste or integrity of the wine.  Finally, there is a solution to this problem.  ReServe (patent pending) is a product that claims to keep the wine’s taste almost exactly as it was before the bottle was opened.  The product uses Argon gas cartridges to slow the oxidation process and to create an airtight seal protecting the wine from other contaminants including unwelcome refrigerator odors.  ReServe is made up of three pieces: the Argon cartridge, the regulator and the adaptor. The product retails at about $149.95 and refill Argon cartridges may be purchased in packs of three for around $20.  Stores carrying ReServe in the U.S. include Williams Sonoma, Macy’s, Dean & Deluca, Chefs, and Sar La Table. 

More details may be found at www.wineinnovations.com.     

Another issue plaguing many wine lovers is achieving your wine’s perfect temperature.  The first of its kind, Nuvo Vino (patent pending), is an infrared wine thermometer tests the temperature of a glass of wine without actually touching it.  The product, a sleek, easy-to-read thermometer, is held approximately one inch above the wine in your glass and reads the temperature.  The Nuvo Vino is lightweight, barely larger than a standard ball point pen and guarantees the perfect temperature of your favorite wine.  This product retails at $49.95 and is available at www.nuvovino.com.  The site also offers an interactive serving temperature guide explaining the appropriate temperatures for nearly any variety of wine you could imagine. 




New products for improving your wine-drinking experience are invented and released almost every day.  Stay on top of new innovations by visiting your local vineyards and wineries.  Get to know some wine specialists, whether they are friends, colleagues or sommeliers.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions about wine; you’ll find that people love sharing what they know.  Finally, check out wine specialty shops in your area, or join a wine club, you are likely find some great help and ideas. 

Rebecca Haydu-Jackson - Journalist
Gungho City.com

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Wine Crash Course

Wine tasting can be considered an art unto itself.  When you truly wish to appreciate a good glass of wine, you realize that you cannot merely take a gulp and discern all that goes into making a glass of wine a memorable moment that highlights good taste among good friends.

For those of you who are new to the idea of wine tasting, you might be wondering what exactly entails this mysterious ritual.  For you, I give you a crash course in wine tasting.

When you are faced with a wine tasting, remember that you will use your senses of sight, smell, and taste to ascertain the differences between each glass.

First, when you look at a glass of wine, you will want to note its color.  The colors can vary far more than you might think.  Aged wine’s tend to show more oranges and browns, white’s will actually vary in color from water white to a golden yellow, and red’s can be as light as a pink hue or as dark as brick red.
Next, go ahead and take a sniff.  The aroma of the wine varies depending on the grape and how it was fermented.  You’ll probably get hints of smells both familiar and good like vanilla, but be forewarned, some aromas can be astringent and a bit hard to swallow.

Now you can tip the glass back and taste the wine.  Wines typically will have a bitter, sweet, or acidic taste to them.  Before swallowing, let the wine settle on your tongue for a moment to savor the flavors and how it feels in your mouth.  Depending on the way the wine was made, you will feel many different sensations along with the flavor, ranging from sweet to fizz to a stringent taste that makes you want to pucker your lips.  Usually, the winemaker is trying for a smooth overall balance.

Now by no means is the above meant to be an extensive lesson to wine tasting.  There are all sorts of other details that can go into a tasting ranging from types of glasses used, tilting the glass, swirling it to unlock aromas and tastes, the list can be quite extensive.  But the above should give you the idea.
In the end, just remember to enjoy yourself, enjoy the atmosphere and the company, and you’ll enjoy the wine even more.

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