Dirty South Wine

What Were They Thinking? Hardy Wallace in Mr. Healdsburg Pageant???

In the most recent installment of "What have I got myself into?"  I am participating as a contestant in the Mr. Healdsburg Pageant.  A tongue-n-cheek, spoof, event which is an actual fundraiser for The Raven Theater in Healdsburg. (Raven site down, will post URL once up)

The winner participates in parades, ribbon cuttings, and living for a year in all the glory that is Mr. Healdsburg--  I think I can handle that!

There will be talent, swim wear, formal wear, and some grueling questions (where I hope I perform better than Miss Teen South Carolina).  I'll be posting the link for tickets asap, and get them early.  The show sells out way in advance.

And for now other reason than I need some Jay-Z...

Can I Get A... - Jay-Z

An Auction for Your Rights To Wine, And A Wine Class for Clean Water!

 

The SWRA wine auction is going on through 11/19 at Wine Commune.  Support the SWRA's mission to allow you to buy the wines you want, and to have retailers have the ability to ship wines to all 50 states.

There are some killer lots available for bidding, and I hope to walk away with a few of my own!

On 11/20, folks in ATL can participate in the Old Fourth Ward Art Walk, support clean water in Latin America, and get a wine seminar put on by Ed Thralls of Winetonite.com.

Both the SWRA and The Old Fourth Ward Art Walk (with wine!) are great causes and worthy of your consideration.

A Tasting in Celebration of Henri: 4/24 Sherlock's Wine Merchants

In honor of Henri Ferrier, an Atlanta Dreyfus, Ashby & Co. rep who passed two weeks ago, Sherlock's in Brookhaven will be hosting a tasting and fundraiser to benefit to go for a scholarship fund for his two children.  Download Jane Garvey's tribute here.

All bottles have been donated, and 100% of the funds raised will be donated to Henri's fund.

The tasting will be held Friday 4/24, 7:30-9:30, Sherlock's Brookhaven

Tickets are $75.  To RSVP, Call Sherlock's at 404-949-9945

In celebration of his life, the following wines will be poured. (plus more yet to be announced)

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2006 Anderson's Conn Valley Right Bank
 
 1997 Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alla Mura
 
2007 Bergstrom Pinot Noir "Bergstrom Vineyard"
 
2005 Bernard Burgaud Cote Rotie
 
Buller NV Muscat Colliope

2005 Bleasedale "Frank Potts"

2005 Clos Martinet Priorat
 
2005 Clos St Jean Chateauneuf du Pape "Combe des Fous"
 
2006 Dumol Syrah "Russian River"

2006 Gaja Magari
 
2005 Girardin Clos Vougeot

2005 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon

2006 Kongsgaard Chardonnay
 
2006 Krupp Brothers Blackbart's Bride

2006 Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon

2004 Longwood Shiraz Reserve
 
2006 Mas Alta Priorat "La Basseta"

2004 Massolino Barolo "Margheria"
 
2007 Morlet Family Chardonnay "Ma Douce"

 2007 Orin Swift "Prisoner"
 
2006 Palazzo Cabernet Franc

2004 Paolo Scavino Barolo "Bricco Ambrogio"
 
 2005 Pesquera Crianza
 
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco "Asili"
 
1999 Quintarelli Valpolicella

2006 Ramey Syrah "Roger's Creek"
 
2005 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon
 
2004 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
 
2005 Tait Shiraz "Basket Pressed"
 
2004 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino

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Those who cannot attend may contribute directly to:
 
The Henri Ferrier Scholarship Fund
c/o Dreyfus Ashby, Inc.
50 Avon Meadow Lane
Avon CT 06001

Guest Blogger: A Few Sips From The HIGH Museum Auction Trade Tasting

During the HIGH Wine Auction's annual trade tasting, ol' Dirty got a wee bit distracted-- Mingling, cuttin' rhymes, kickin' and choppin' and probably dropping tons of F-bombs.  Thankfully, guest blogger, David M.  Aferiat, ran through a ton wines and picked a few of his favorites.

(I actually do have some notes that I'll include in a later post)

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On Thursday of last week I made my annual visit to the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction held over the past few years at Atlantic Station.  One of the best events of the entire weekend of activities is reserved for industry/”in the trade” representatives.  The hundreds of wines on display are showcased by local distributors, importers, and even the actual winemakers in many cases.  In attendance are media, wine retailers, wine educators, and restaurateurs.

With only an hour to sample the hundreds of wines on display, I got smart with some choices and lucky with others I tasted.  Here are the highlights:

2004 Jean Thevenet Macon Villages
(France, Burgundy, Maconnais, Macon-Villages)  Chardonnay.  Price unknown (should be under $25)
Wonderful floral aromas with traces of citrus and melon in the bouquet.  Great minerality supports a true pear, clementine, lemon and lime flavors. 100% Chardonnay.

2007 Tablas Creek Vineyard, Cotes de Tablas Blanc
(US, CA, Central Coast, Paso Robles)  White Rhone Blend.  Approx $20
Tasted the '06 the evening before at a Eno's Barrelman's event featuring Jason Haas and his family's wines.  Like the '06 this vintage showcases a great quartet of varietals lead by the floral/apricot aromatics of viognier, the minerality of Marsanne, and enhanced by the acidic brightness of Roussane and Grenache Blanc – American version of the traditional Southern Rhone wines done right.

2005 Herri Mina Irouléguy
(France, Southwest France, Pays Basque, Irouléguy) Gros Manseng - Petit Manseng blend  Approx. $20
Notes of melon, pear lifted with great acidity and freshness.  Interesting white for its uncommon blend of Gros and Petit Manseng and Petit Courbu grapes – no oak.  Different and very rewarding for the summer ahead.

2006 Niner Sangiovese Bootjack Ranch,
(US, CA, Central Coast) Sangiovese.  Under $20
A chunky, peppery red with smoky kirsch/blackcurrant and herbs de Provence scents (think fennel); delicate floral nose, well-balanced tannins and acid; hints of raspberry on the palate and a great soft and filling mouthfeel.

Reynolds Family Winery, Persistence Red Wine, Napa Valley, CA
(USA, CA, Napa Valley) Red Blend.  Approx. $50
One of the finest American blends I've tasted (Washington's Bookwalter also comes to mind).  Superhero boldness – the bottle struggles to contain what's inside.  That said its a smooth roadster that hugs corners and delivers great cassis, chocolate flavors in a solid oak structure from first impression to the finish.

All of these wines are available in Georgia, and can be found or ordered by any wine retailer.  Also, find them online also via Snooth.

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David Aferiat
David writes about wines for several publications including Jezebel Magazine and Texas Monthly, reviews wines for Wine South, and regularly gives wine tastings for non-profits and private parties.  Previously David spent time working for a wine distributor and developed restaurant wine lists throughout Atlanta.  David.grapefields@earthlink.net and his wine and food photos can be found on Flickr

Check out the HIGH Museum Wine Auction Seminar Schedule

In just over a week, Atlanta takes its annual turn as a major wine destination with The HIGH Museum Wine Auction.  The HIGH's wine auction is the largest wine auction in the country benefiting the arts.  Last year's auction brought in over $2.1 million dollars in donations.

Along with dinners and events-- one of the most beneficial portions of the HIGH auction are the educational seminars.

This year's seminars will be held on Friday, 3/27 at both TROIS, and the Four Seasons Hotel.  The sessions are at 11AM and 2PM, so I'm giving you advance notice to ask for time off, or to skillfully time your next case of pink-eye.

RIESLING RENEGADES
Friday, March 27, 11:00 a.m., Four Seasons Hotel, Atlanta
Join Bob Bertheau, Chateau Ste. Michelle winemaker from Washington state, and Ernst Loosen of Dr. Loosen Estate of Germany for an extensive exploration of Riesling. Let these two top Riesling producers lead you on a unique tasting of more than 15 different Old and New World Rieslings where you will discover Washington’s unique place in the world of this intriguing wine, while raising your Riesling IQ tremendously in the process. $100 per person.

MARTINE SAUNIER & THE WINES OF BURGUNDY
Friday, March 27, 11:00 a.m.  Above TROIS, 1180 Peachtree Street
Burgundy lovers rejoice! Martine Saunier knows Burgundy’s wines like few other people in the world and she’ll be pouring out her insights and knowledge, not to mention some delicious wine, at this not-to-be-missed event. Come learn more from a master. Education has never tasted so good. Think how smart you’ll be after tasting the likes of Michel Gay & Fils 2004 Beaune-Greves 1er Cru, Chevalier Pere & Fils 2005 Ladoix Rouge “Les Corvees” 1er Cru, Denis Mortet 2006 Gevrey-Chambertin and Bruno Clavelier 2006 Chambolle- Musigny “La Combe d’Orveau” 1er Cru, among others. $100 per person.

LOUIS LATOUR & THE LEGACY OF CORTON CHARLEMAGNE
LOUIS-FABRICE LATOUR
Friday, March 27, 2:00 p.m., Four Seasons Hotel, Atlanta
Established in 1797, Maison Louis Latour has been passed from father to son for 11 generations. The company is currently run by the 7th “Louis,” Louis-Fabrice Latour and its Grand Cru of Corton Charlemagne is considered to produce some of the world’s most refined and noble Chardonnays. Robert Parker calls Charlemagne’s wines “Truly one of the world’s most compelling expressions of the Chardonnay grape…. Many people consider [Latour’s]
Corton-Charlemagne to be the reference point for the other wines of the vintage.” Louis-Fabrice will lead participants through a tasting of Corton Charlemagne vintages 1999 through 2006. $100 per person.

PASSION ON THE VINE: WINES THAT INSPIRED THE BOOK
SERGIO ESPOSITO
Friday, March 27, 2:00 p.m. Above TROIS, 1180 Peachtree Street
Special Guest of Honor Sergio Esposito’s evocative memoir of his journey from
Italy to America, and of his frequent trips back to his homeland, takes readers to the cold hills of Friuli, the world-famous cellars of Piedmont, the sweeping estates of Tuscany, the windy beaches of Le Marche, and the lush fields of Campania. Join Esposito for this very special tasting where he will highlight his favorite wines from the book and reflect on the remarkable characters that season the pages of his memoir, Passion on the Vine: A Memoir of Food, Wine and Family in the Heart of Italy  $100 per person.

For Tickets To The Seminars Go To The events section of the Atlanta Wine Auction Site

Here Come The American Wine Blog Awards!

Tom Wark of  "Fermentation: The Daily Wine Blog" is rolling out the 2009 Wine Blog Awards.  Awards are given out in several categories-  Best Wine Writing, Best Single Subject Wine Blog, Best Winery Blog, Best Wine Reviews on a Wine Blog, Best Graphics and Presentation, Best Business Industry Wine Blog, and Best Overall Wine Blog.

In what is often just a labor of love, The American Wine Blog Awards are a way for wine bloggers to be recognized for their efforts, and overall excellence. 

Nominee, winner, or non, In 14 months, Dirty South Wine has come a long way.  From barely a blip on the map, to now being ranked the 33rd most popular wine blog-  Yeah- it is now freakin' huge!!!! ; ) In this period of time I'm proud to say that no one has put out more entertaining, and cutting edge content as Dirty South Wine and Team.

We've Made Amazing Videos-

And if you start this video at minute 2--THE Greatest Wine Blogging Street Dancers In The World!

Provided The Best In Wine Photography-

(www.Broderickphotographer.com)

Made Hundreds of Entertaining (and Out-There)Posts-

Gewurztraminer's Message From Outerspace!

  "Sweet goddess of all that is Waffle House!!!!  This smells great! 
It smells better than great- It smells like space aliens are trying to
directly communicate their intergalactic messages
of peace and ease via our sense of smell."

And beyond the Dirty South, posted on the Wine World from Toronto, Tokyo, to Tampa

Rallied our Team and the Wine Community to Raise Money For Charity-

Dirty South Wine Raises more than $3200 for Special Olympics!

And Become the Only Wine Blog that is Also A Certified Wildlife Sanctuary!

We've done this all in hopes to make wine more fun, more accessible, and so that the joy it brings can be shared with your friends and families

Dirty South Wine, with the help of cohorts Smylie and Rowdy, has worked extremely hard, and we could not do it without the encouragement of all of our readers. We love your visits and appreciate your support!

If you'd like to nominate Dirty South Wine, you can leave a comment nominating Dirty South Wine, on Tom's post here.

Big Thanks to the Sponsors of the American Wine Blog Awards-  Riedel, Mutineer Magazine, and the Open Wine Consortium. 

Cheers!

Hardy / aka Dirty

Dirty South Wine Readers Raise $ for Special Olympics GA!

Huge thanks to all of the Dirty South Wine readers who participated in our online Special Olympics Fundraiser!

Your donations and generosity helped raise over $3200 for Special Olympics Georgia and I'm grateful. 

All donors were entered into a drawing for a hand-picked 3-pack of Dirty South Wine.  I'm happy to announce that Jimmy Sobeck (from Eat It, Atlanta) won the juice!  With a choice of New World or Old(er) World wine, Jimmy chose Old- and walked off with a 2003 Bois De Boursan Chateuneuf du Pape, 2005 Donnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Auslese, 2003 Maison LeRoy Beaune (White Burgundy).  Congratulations Jimmy!

The grand prize, A 2005 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, was given for the top donation over $550. The Scarecrow Cab went to Monsieur Rowdy Food, Matt Richardson. Thank you!!!

I greatly appreciate all of the participation and donations! 

Win an 05 Scarecrow Cab!: Dirty South Wine and Special Olympics!

Thanks to all that have participated and given money to Special Olympics Georgia through Dirty South Wine's Firstgiving page!  We still have a way to go, so to cover more ground, I've upped the stakes a lot! I've also shed some details on the my handpicked 3 Pack as well.

 

Just a reminder and some details.

Though I can't legally say what you will win-  Your three pack may look like mix of something like this (with your choice of New World or Old World)

New World Pack-

06 Saxum Broken Stones

06 Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma

07 Dry Stack Sauvignon Blanc (the nectar!)

Old(er) World Pack-

03 Bois De Boursan Chateuneuf du Pape

05 Donnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Auslese (375ml)

03 Maison LeRoy Beaune (White Burg)

Donate over $200 and automatically receive a bottle in the class above and still be entered into the 3 pack drawing.

Top Donor** of $550 or more

2005 Scarecrow (with original wooden case)

If you aren't familiar with Scarecrow-

2005 Scarecrow Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon ($585, Vinfolio) If price is no object for your favorite Napa Cab lover, this has become a new gold standard: fruit off 60-year-old vines from Rutherford's J.J. Cohn vineyard, made in minuscule amounts by superstar Celia Welch Masyczek, and in this case a superlative vintage. It's seductive, powerful, exquisite - and exceedingly rare.-- SF GATE.COM  11/27 

**This will be auction style.  Please email me  (dirtysouthwine@mac.com) your proposed donation and I will tell you if it is top bid or not.  I will also keep an updated bid total by the Firstgiving Widget.

All donations are tax deductible.

To Make a Donation- Dirty South Wine Special Olympics GA

or click the widget below