Here are some of my NYE fizz picks in the Atlanta Journal Constitution- A couple of cheapies + a couple of freakers for you. I say ring in 2010 big, but savor while you celebrate. If you are going to guzzle, buck-up, and then dump bubbles all over your friend Cookie, Prosecco and Cava work best for hosing peeps down.
Whatever your NYE brings, enjoy it with people you love, and be safe out there!
As much as I love pourin' ' bottles of Champhizzle over all my neighbors heads while gettin' my grind on at Club Awesome, there is a proper way to open a bottle of Champagne. And though there is a proper way to open Champagne, the "proper" glass is not the best glass.
Skip the Champagne flutes and spend your stacks grabbin' bottles from racks.
For more information on Champagne, check out the wonderfully detailed map below.
With a guest from the UK visiting A-Town, a friend organized a wine lunch at Antica Posta to allow our guest to experience some of the US wines he was unfamiliar with.
9 People, 14 wines, 5 hrs for lunch... In the Olympic spirit I thought our endurance deserved medals but probably more appropriately an intervention. In all fairness, though a lot of wine was poured, our dump buckets were kept well fed, and no one dropped the hammer.
With an event like this, pre-planning is a must. Our host and the folks at Antica Posta did an excellent job of arranging the menu, and managing our wine. It is great to find a restaurant that is so accomodating to host something like this.
So in keeping it Dirty and drumming up support for the MARTA Wine Highway (MWH), I hopped on the 110 bus aka "The Peach" and headed North from Arts Center to Buckhead. While on the ride I was serenaded by one of the passengers with an improvisational-diddy of full on crazy. If I had a way to record it, it would have been sampled into the upcoming MARTA Wine Highway theme song.
I pulled the stop cord at Pharr Rd. and intended on catching the 34 heading to Lindbergh. This would take me a block from Antica Posta. Instead, the weather was cool, I had plenty of time, and I walked the 10min from Peachtree to Antica Posta.
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I will break up the bottles from this lunch in several posts. Some will just be short notes.
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Our guest from the UK was more than gracious and lugged over some incredible Champagne- An 1988 Deutz from Magnum and two bottles of 1996 Krug.
1988 Deutz Champagne Cuvée William Deutz
(France, Champagne)
Almost orange. Such a deep nose of baked bread, orange rind, minerals. Almost still in the glass, this had delicate palate that felt like caviar pearls popping in your mouth. A crazy minutes long finish that was laced with crushed stones and baby aspirin. (I chugged it, lined up shooters, and asked for a pineapple juice mixer- I poured the rest on everybody's head and was then arrested for being too awesome.)
This was remarkable.
1996 Krug Champagne
(France, Champagne)
We let the 96 Krug open up during our meal and enjoyed it after dinner.
Intense citrus and yeast- A total 3-D Smell-a-vision experience. Sharp palate of acid and almost pecking bubbles- A finish I can still taste, and just thinking of it bends my brain like a Cirque Du Soleil contortionist. This is my second round with this juice this year, and I think it makes me invincible for about 5mins. I wanted to karate chop cinder blocks and then get torn apart by a big cat.
On to the US: Chardonnay
Flight 1a. Battle Ritchie Chardonnay
2005 Ramey Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
(USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley)
Clear and bright yellow. A rich, but subtle nose of pineapple, lemon and apple juice box. Fruity, but not offensive. This sucker runs deep and I could wear it like a hat! A focused palate with depth, acidity, and most importantly balance. Long finish. This is great Chardonnay.
2006 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
(USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley)
Aubert's signature cloudy, murky, Ritchie Chard. This can't be served in a blind tasting- You know it just by looking at it. An amazingly creamy and wonderfully enveloping nose of herbs, lemons, and passionfruit. Rich and luscious up front- but then nothing but flab. No acidity, hollow on the mid-palate, but then followed by a rich undeniably amazing finish. 3/4's awesome, 1/4 suck. Some people at the table began creating their own cuvee mixing their Ramey and Aubert to create their ultimate Chard. I threw mine on the plants and ordered a Fresca. If I found some more structure, this would have been a contender for a Dirty South Wine "This Wine is Going to Pull Yer Pants Down Award!" (This was loved by most of the table)
My Winner- Ramey due to overall balance and acidity. I brought the Aubert : (
1b. 2nd Round of Chardonnay
2006 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard
(USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains)
Initially muted, but this opened into a balanced, and somewhat restrained, young Chardonnay. We had a flawed bottle a few weeks back, and the folks at Rhys sent a replacement. Nothing freaky, nothing overdone- just made right. I liked this a lot.
2005 Arcadian Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
(USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County)
An intense wine out of the gate. Giant, pretty ripe, really a sit back and go "whoa" bottle. I've had a lot of the Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Chards, but this one is so much bigger, borderline a real-live living critter. Huge, but balanced- I enjoyed this.
2005 Kistler Dutton Ranch Chardonnay
(USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley)
Initial whiffs of the coast. Really salty, minerally- Refreshing. Some dose of citrus still present and then a tightly wound, firm, palate and a tight, long finish. I loved the nose, but I think this juice needs more time, (and was perhaps too cold to enjoy).
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Pinots, Cabs and Zins in upcoming posts
The Rest of the Wines-
1998 Arcadian Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir
2006 Alesia Green Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir
2002 Kistler Kistler Vineyard Pinot Noir
2006 Rhys Alpine Vineyard Pinot Noir
1992 Beringer Chabot Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
1994 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon
1997 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon
2003 Araujo Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Turley Tofranelli Vineyard Zinfandel
2005 Rafanelli Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel
Celebrating our Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary certification. Lady Dirty and I called up Mean Jean, and ATL photog-Wunderkind Broderick and headed over to Dynamic Dave's for pizza night.
I packed in two bottles- a NV Duval-Leroy Champage and a Turley Old Vines Zin. Then Broderick showed up with something that blew my mind-- a Monte Xanic Cabernet from ol' Mexico! I'm lucky to have the opportunity to taste and try a lot of wines, but this was my first wine from Mexico-- I was psyched to try it.
Meeting up with our gang was fellow blogger / photogger ET K and her friend C. We ordered some salads, pizzas, popped our bottles and kicked back to spectacular food and company.
Wrapped up in our company, I didn't take official notes, but the ol' memory provides a quick recap on the juice.
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N.V. Duval-Leroy Champagne
(France, Champagne) Approx $30 at Ansley Wine Merchants
This is becoming my go to, easy to get, "value" Champers. In the past 2 years, most of what I love has climbed in price from $35 to $55+ and has entered into special occasion category.
The Duval-Leroy has nice character, balance, is easy-drankin' and is just under $30 in ATL. Not as creamy as Pol Roger, not as lean as Billecart- just good fence straddlin' juice.
2004 Monte Xanic Cabernet Sauvignon
(Mexico, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe) Sourced in Mexico by Broderick. Cost= Priceless!
A totally drinkable wine. Not a lot of typical Cab character (almost a little more Zinfandel like), but fairly smooth, gentle tannins, and a medium finish. This was a fun wine to try and hats off to B for bringing in a total freakshow of a wine!
2005 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines
(USA, California) Under $40? From Eno / Barrelman
A hot nose of heavy fruit, lotion, and unknown, potentially dangerous vapors. Tasty, cherry-jelly fruits, spice, low tannins, and long finish. I like it, but I don't love it. I know people love Turley, but I've found far more misses than hits with Turley over the years.
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Fun people, great food, excellent service, and interesting wines- This is what going out to dinner should always be like.
While packing up, Brady from Taste Network / Kudzu Supper Club, and Stephen from the International Society of Africans in Wine (ISAW) stopped in. They both have some cool events coming up- Check them out here and here.
ET K took some great shots- Check them out ici
Pizza NIGHT!!!!
Rarely am I home in Atlanta for more than a couple of days in a row. Last week was a rare treat that became somewhat of an excercise in madness. Three of the five weeknights were out with Rowdy (who I'm beginning to feel is Atlanta's Neal Cassidy of food). This man devours food with zeal and fervor. When most of us our completely done in and immobilized from one dinner, he often leaps up energetically and darts off to yet another gourmet feast (in the same night). These meals only make him stronger. It is mind-boggling just thinking of it. Along with meals with Rowdy, I was able to spend time with the wine Jedi's, and Tami H, the legendary photogs el Broderick, and TCPhoto, Chadd B, and Cathy who live's to nibble.
In a quick snapshot, the week started at Holeman & Finch with a killer 2005 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape (courtesy of St Louis "Couch" and his bro' "Gabriel's Dad"- who is in need of a new pseudonym). Though tightly wound and in need of big air time, this 05 Clos des Papes was a major treat. Revealing little at first, this became an almost perverted Grenache that seemed crafted by a Paso Robles winemaker using sun-kissed Southern Rhone fruit. This Wine Spectator Wine of the Year paired phenomenally and appropriately with the H&F Burger that is quickly becoming an ATL legend.
The next night was Tasty China (that was documented in an earleir post)- A ridiculous amount of bottles, countless dishes, and great company. (and Zingo home)
Tasty China was followed by Wed night's $1 Tapas and cheap Mojitos at Fuego, with a free event for my building at Spice Market (which contrary to many reports, I found their apps really good.)
Thursday was Tami's birthday rosé wine celebration- An awesome night of many bottle of pink. From South Africa, France, Italy, and the ol' US of A- we sipped, guzzled and snacked into rose colored glee. I like good rosé. It is refreshing, extremely quaffable, unpretentious and pretty food friendly. These were not your Sutter Home White Zinfandel rosé, but rather well crafted dry wines perfect for summer benders.
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The week's finale- was a full scale Dynamic Dish blowout in honor of our friend Cheryl's journey to the ATL. I'll praise Dynamic Dave until I'm blue in the face- but this is inventive, fresh, delicious- revolutionary food. Dave and crew made our group of 9 feel like we were guests in their home. Great thanks to them again!
(For great shots of the meal- check out Rowdy's post.
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Providing notes on all the bottles of the week would be both too laborious, and bordering on smut. So I'll highlight some of my favorites.
From the now dubbed "Yes way Rosé 2008" (or the Tami H, birthday week rosé tasting)
2007 Château Guiot Costières-de-Nîmes Rosé
(France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Costières-de-Nîmes) less than $10 at Green's on Ponce.
An insane bargain. Beautiful fruit (strawberry, cherry), excellent minerals, medium bodied, dry, balanced acids and a medium length, refreshing finish. If money were no object, I'd want this to shoot out of my shower. I've bought a half case since- "My precious, my precious!"
2007 Palmina Botasea Rosato di Palmina
(USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County)
From the Cal-Ital(ian) folks at Palmina. A great boutique rosé. I remember I really liked it. (Earned a Broderick seal of approval!)
2006 Bastianich Colli Orientali del Friuli Refosco
(Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Colli Orientali del Friuli)
Recommended heavily by Chadd B. A brilliant Refosco rosé that was less intense on the fruit and more focussed on minerality and structure. This was nice.
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At Dynamic Dish, we assembled a comical amount of bottles.
N.V. Stéphane Coquillette Champagne Cuvée des Cles -
(France, Champagne, Chouilly, Champagne)
Terrific Champagne that I wish was available locally. Biscuits, toasty, great palate.
2007 Dry Stack Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Rosemary's Block Dry Stack Vineyard -
(USA, California, North Coast, Bennett Valley)
Inching into the ranks of favorite wines of the year. This was my second round with this wine last week and it was still magnificent. This one was opened for a few days prior, and I think I liked the freshness of the just opened bottle better. I ordered several bottles. DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY!!!!
2005 Chasseur Chardonnay Green Acres Hill Sangiacomo -
(USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)
Killer CA Chard that was in perfect balance- Smoky vanilla meets lemon meringue pie served on a granite plate. Magnifique et DIRTY!
1992 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile
(France, Alsace, Ribeauvillé, Alsace AOC)
I had the 2003 a few weeks back and found it closed. The 92 was like filling a lawnmower gas tank with parafin wax and sticking your snoz in it- In a really good way. Oily, waxy, rich, acidic- dense w/ a long finish. At 16 years old, this is still singing loud and clear.
2003 Pride Mountain Vineyards Viognier -
USA, California, Sonoma County
No notes taken. But I liked it.
2005 Littorai Chardonnay Thieriot Vineyard -
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast Approx. $60 at Murphy's.
I've previously raved about Littorai's Chards, and this was no different. Another wine in such great balance. This is great Burgundy just made with Sonoma fruit.
2006 Herb Lamb Sauvignon Blanc EII Napa Valley White Wine -
USA, California, Napa Valley
Unfair to put this in the Dry Stack together. Much creamier than the Dry Stack- I remember little about this except overhearing a story that the wineries dog like's to pee on the vines.
2006 Sine Qua Non Autrement Dit -
USA, California
Huge rose.
Clocking in at almost 16% alcohol (and in actuality, probably over 16%) this was a fun wine to try, but difficult to drink. As it warmed up, the alcohol became even more pronounced, this singed not only my nose hairs, but took my eyelashes with it.
2004 Wolf Mountain Vineyards Plénitude -
USA, Georgia, Lumpkin County
Served blind.
This Chardonnay and Viognier blend got some approving nods. Simple, but tasty. Once unveiled, everyone had nothing but praise for the people and work being done up at Wolf Mountain vineyards. I enjoyed pouring this at a table graced by some of the best wines made in the US.
A few others that didn't register many notes:
2005 Arcadian Syrah Hommage a Max - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
Young- In need of air. Probably will be stunning
2005 Kosta Browne Syrah Amber Ridge Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley Heat on the nose, Needs to settle down. I'd like to revisit it in a couple of years.
2006 Kutch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Tasty, intense CA Pinot. Could use time.
2002 Arcadian Pinot Noir Francesca's Cuvée - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
I think I missed this one. : (
2006 Costa De Oro Pinot Noir Estate Gold Coast Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
Shockingly good. I know nothing about this, except that it is their "Dijon Clone" bottling that is made in miniscule quantities. DIRTY!
2000 Weinlaubenhof Alois Kracher Welschriesling TBA #8 Zwischen den Seen - Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee
Magic dessert wine from the late Alois Kracher.
A total whirlwind week of great people sharing in wine and food joy. It is great being home!
Tasty China is still soooo tasty.
Getting there yesterday was no picnic- lot's of mind-left-body confusion. Walked out the door without my camera, walked back, then walked all the way to MARTA and realized I left my wallet at home, walked back, missed my bus, then missed my transfer, then caught a cab from the Cumberland transfer center... Finally making it to el Tasty 25min late... I was poured a glass of 96 Billecart-Salmon Grand Cuvee and everything became alright.
The gang got together for another blow out at Tasty China. This is really one of the crown jewels of the ATL BYO scene- Zero corkage, incredible food, reasonable (almost ridiculous) prices. Apart from being a challenge to reach, this place is our own little Shangri-La. With more than a dozen bottles assembled, we went to town...
(Partial micro-notes due to time, number of bottles, and level of revelry)
Rowdy came up big and brought in a spectacular bottle of bubbles
1996 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Grand Cuvée
(France, Champagne)
Lemon, citrus, and cream. A magnificent palate of micro-bubbles bursting at near light speed. A true, balanced finish that hums. Reminds me of the drum lessons I got to take from Glen Velez
2007 Dry Stack Sauvignon Blanc
(USA, California, North Coast, Bennett Valley)
Sweet mother of tropical fruit intensity! Passion fruit out the wazoo, guava jelly, pineapple- white light type of stuff. Concentrated but not cloying, great acidity, crisp- long Carmen Miranda finish. I need mo'!
2005 Sine Qua Non Grenache Atlantis Fe203~2a, b & c
(USA, California)
Intense black fruit and spice- cinnamon, cardamon, big vanilla. Medium bodied, slightly chalky and a fairly tight finish. Rich & Ripe, this could use a few years. Still a great bottle.
The wines below were all tasty too- I'll try to assemble some notes when possible.
2002 Georg Breuer Rauenthaler Nonnenberg Riesling Monopol
(Germany, Rheingau)
1990 Jos. Christoffel Jr. (Christoffel-Prüm) Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese
(Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer)
2001 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese trocken 2001 Weingut Josef Jamek Riesling Smaragd Weissenkirchner Ried Klaus 2001 Weingut von Othegraven Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling Auslese 2006 Kilikanoon Riesling Mort's Reserve 2003 Jacob's Creek Riesling Steingarten 2003 Mount Horrocks Riesling Cordon Cut 2006 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume An incredible night of great food, incredible wine, and good friends. ****Thanks to Rowdy for the use of his pics. He's got skills in the kitchen and behind the lens.
(Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer)
(Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau)
(Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer)
(Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Watervale)
(Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley)
(Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley)
(France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume)
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Also- at the adjoining table also enjoying Tasty China's food and wine magic was Brady & gang from the TasteNetwork. Brady has put together some incredible events here in ATL. For more info-- Click HERE
For shots of the food check out his post here--
How to get to Tasty China from Midtown by bus- Take the CCT Bus #10 to Cumberland Transfer Center. Get a transfer and take the 50 Bus inbound to Marietta. Get off at the corner of Franklin & Delk right infront of Tasty China. The 10 leaves every 15min from Arts Center, the 50 every 30min from Cumberland. 
(I need to break this into two posts due to the number of wines)
The other night a great crew of wine lovers got together for a truly spectacular event at Dynamic Dish. Most of the crew hadn't been before, and this was quite different than many of the meals we've done in the past.
Huge thanks to Chef David. This guy pours his heart and soul into everything he does and it shows. This is soul food. Great service from Steven and crew as well!
For the dinner, we didn't adhere to any set theme- Just to bring interesting wines that might go well with a mystery vegetarian meal. A excellent selection of bottles and varietals were assembled- Champagne, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Pinot Noir, and a surfacing of EL' Weirdo varietal Albalonga- the Luchador of the wine world.
The food was truly amazing and worked just great with the wines.
-GA Cuke Soup, with Mountain Mint, Greek Yog., and GA Garlic
-Arugula, Roasted Corn, and Pistachio Salad
-Tofu on Pretzel Bread, w/ Purple Potato Salad, Lentil Walnut Pate, and Local Slaw.
-Fava Beans w/ Artichoke hearts
-Organic Choc Cake w/ Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream & Strawberry, Rhubarb, Ginger Compote.
(Check to Rowdyfood for shots of food.)
-1996 Saint-Chamant Christian Coquillette Champagne Brut
(France, Champagne)
Beautiful, toasty, yeasty nose- vigorously effervescent, nice citrus, great- almost electric mouthfeel. Nice medium length acidic and toasty finish. Loved this stuff and need to track this down.
-1998 René Muré Riesling Vorbourg Clos Saint Landelin
(France, Alsace, Westhalten, Alsace Grand Cru AOC) Riesling varietal.
I only got a small taste of this. Great petrol, lemon grass, and minerals. Beautiful Balance. I wish I went back to this.
-1992 Stony Hill Chardonnay
(USA, California, Napa Valley)
16 yr old CA Chard. Nose a little funky at first, but then just great citrus, minerals, and a rich, youthful palate. This is still going strong.
-2002 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos
(France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru) Chardonnay varietal.
Precise, clear, but like a square foot laser beam- Lots of minerals, lime, such a pure body, young, but close to perfect. An elegant finish. I could have spent all night with just this glass. DIRTY.
-2006 Prager Riesling Smaragd Achleiten
(Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau)
Man. I love these dry Austrian Rieslings. This one is just sick. Intense tropical fruit essence, bright, acidic, concentrated fruit finish. Loved it.
(I pre-decanted both Scholium wines. The Sauvignon Blanc is on the left, the Verdelho on right- Those colors look more like Jello than wine)
-2006 Scholium Project Verdelho Naucratis Lost Slough Vineyards
(USA, California, Central Valley, Clarksburg) Verdelho varietal. Approx $26 at Wine Warehouse in Tampa.
Crazy technicolor yellow. Grassy, floral, licorice, intense- almost medicinal. Medium bodied, more herbs and a little citrus on the palate. Ultra-New World- Like grown in crop circles New World. Not a crowd favorite, but I dig the freak show in it.
-2006 Scholium Project Sauvignon Blanc The Prince In His Caves Farina
(USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain) Sauvignon Blanc varietal. Approx $35 off mail list.
Per Don & Bob "TIGER PISS!" Whoa- this is some bearded lady, wolf man, forked clarinet, Weekly World News type Sauvignon Blanc. Most SB picks up some "cat-pee" type aromas, but this is heavy & orange, like a tiger spraying its territory. Full bodied. Maniac concentration. Heavy floral and acidic grapefruit. Another wine from the year 3000, but damn, I love it! Another that was not a crowd pleaser. I'm buying more and will chug it while wrapped in a cape made from aluminum foil. 99% of the world will find this totally repulsive.
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Wines of Part II
-1994 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve
-1991 Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts
-2005 Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Briords
-1996 Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Beerenauslese
-2001 Wittmann Albalonga Trockenbeerenauslese
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