Wines & Romance
The cool, crisp days of Winter, combined with flowers and chocolate, makes wine a suitable companion to share with a loved one on or around Valentine's Day.

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Want to see the NEW courses in Winter 2009? Download a schedule.

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Wine & Chocolate 2 Seats Remain
Wednesday, February 11th (AWS Wine Room, Roswell)
Presenters: Jane Garvey and Chef Lydia Olson

We bring you a special tasting of hand-crafted Belgian chocolates and wines. For many this combination is a match made in heaven, but there are some guidelines when pursuing the "best" pairings. 8 wines paired with 8 chocolates.
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Imagine flowers and candles--lots of 'em. Excellent dinner-portioned heavy hors d'oeuvres, amazing wines, and romantic music. >>>> More Info

Pinot Noir's feminine textures and characteristics has compelled many to fall prey to this beguiling vino-vamp. Alluring and tempting, Pinot Noir is at once athletic and crisp, and at other times velvety, rich and opulent. >>>> More Info

Winter in Italy SOLD OUT
Tuesday, February 24th (AWS Wine Room, Roswell)
Instructor: P. Kelly Wheeler

Paul Kelly Wheeler will be arranging for select Italian dishes, including hand-made pasta, cream sauces, truffles, pestos, and amazing wines. This is an Italian taste exploration-meal. >>>> More Info

Wines & Cheeses 20 Seats Remain
Wednesday, February 25th (AWS Wine Room, Roswell)
Instructor: Michael Bryan

Artisanal cheeses are no less labors of love than their wine counterparts. Location of pastureland, seasonality of milks, and aging all weigh heavily on the final taste experience. Join us for 8 pairings of wine & cheese. >>>> More Info

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For Beginners ONLY
Wednesday, March 4th (AWS Wine Room, Roswell)
Instructor: Michael Bryan

Sure you can drink it, but can you pair it? Can you speak it? Come to terms with it in a special tasting that helps you express yourself in the world of wines. Don't be left standing there holding the bottle--get more confidence and find more pleasure in every sip.

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Introduction to Wine, Level I 12 Seats Remain
Monday, March 9th (AWS Wine Room, Roswell)

Author-signed text book, tasting guide, riveting interactive lectures, and six to twelve wines to taste per class. This course takes the wine curious and creates wine enthusiasts!

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When Sharon Henson (AWS Travel Consultant) opened a Christmas gift this past holiday from husband Kelly, this food & wine lover was certainly surprised. Kelly arranged for a present his wife will never forget, a wine dinner which occurred on February 7th. Top Chef Contender Casey Thompson flew out from San Francisco and was provided a kitchen staff from Atlanta Chef Richard Blaise, who narrowly missed winning the Top Chef challenge in 2008 himself. Joining Casey was friend and wine expert Scotti Stark, who handles multiple roles today for iconic Cab producer Fisher Vineyards. This was a winning epicurean combination of over-the-top cuisine and boutique, highly-rated wines.
Left to Right: Chef Casey Thompson, Sharon Henson, Kelly Henson, Scotti Stark, MS		Chef Casey built from scratch banana cream pudding, with layers of ginger snaps. Stuffed into mason jars provided a suitable "southern" presentation.

• Winemaker Dinner at Aqua Blue on February 18th
  Winemaker David "Merf" Merfield of Northstar Winery will be at Aqua Blue to take you through a five-course dinner paired with Washington State wines. Among the wines will be the 92-point Northstar Merlot, paired with a crispy veal chop, spinach moussiline, wild mushroom ragou, and taleggio grit cake. The menu features the talents of Chefs Kien Sam and John C. Metz. More Info (download menu & wines document)
• Two Package Stores Seek Full-time & Part-time Consultants
  J's Beverage Depot in Roswell is seeking a full-time wine consultant--ask for Adam Hwang at 770-552-6680. Also, Vino 100 in Alpharetta is seeking a P/T wine consultant--ask for Pete Servold at 770.343.8010
• Georgia Wholesaler Quality Wine & Spirits Gets National Attention
  With a projected annual revenue of $40 million at a 40% growth rate, it is easy to see why nine-year-old Quality Wine & Spirits has caught the attention of many. Claiming to have lost only sixteen people since the company was started, Quality can also lay claim to employing Georgia's only Master Sommelier--Michael McNeill, as Director of Wine Education. >> Reprint of Article from Food & Drink Executive
• Tiger Mountain Vineyards Gets New Board & New Direction
  Bill & Leckie Stack, a delightful couple who helped charter Tiger Mountains' growth since winery inception, have sold their shares and decided to pursue other interests. Joining original partners Dr. John Ezzard and wife Martha will be new investors, Atlantans John and Marilyn McMullan, and local Tiger growers Dr. Carl Fackler and his wife Carla. >> More Details at TigerWine.com
• Twitter Taste Live Online Wine Tasting Commemorates "Open that Bottle Night" 10th Anniv
  Twitter Taste Live, the premier forum for real-time wine tasting via the Web, has partnered with wine importer Wilson Daniels Ltd. to host an online wine tasting on the 10th anniversary of Open That Bottle Night on Saturday, February 28, 2009, at 8 p.m. EST. Those interested in participating are encouraged to visit www.twittertastelive.com to RSVP for the interactive wine tasting event.
• Atlantans Pete & Terri Kight Form "Wine Creek LLC"; Acquire Newest Winery, Tandem
  The first acquisition was Sonoma's Quivira, known for Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel & Syrah. Last year they added Torbreck, a well-known producer of Shiraz and Grenache from the Australia's Barossa, and last month they added Sonoma's Tandem Winery to their portfolio--a boutique producer of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. >> More
• What Would Al Gore Say About This?
  Budbreak in California is 2-4 weeks AHEAD of schedule--not a good thing considering a spring frost can occur all the way into May and wipe-out entire grape crops. Not only warmer temperatures are foreboding, but access to needed water is worrisome. "We may be at the start of the worst California drought in modern history," warned Lester Snow, director of the state Department of Water Resources. And in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia's heatwave is poised to destroy 70% of many growers crops. Three years of epic dry conditions may force many growers to throw in the towel. Just goes to show that the consumer viewpoint of an idyllic lifestyle as a winery owner/maker is not always a dream come true.
• UV-Treated Wine Doesn't Require Sulfites for Preservation
  The wine, produced by L'Ormarins wine estate in Franschhoek, is treated by a UV (Ultra Violet) light machine that, according to the owners, kills unwanted microbes and yeasts. This, says cellar master Neil Patterson, reduces the need to add sulphites during the winemaking process. Some wine drinkers blame sulphites for allergic reactions as well as headaches and skin reddening following even the smallest sip of wine. >> More

Jane's Monthly Dozen: Wines & Romance
by Jane Garvey

Here comes Valentine's Day again, and as we plan our celebrations--this year it falls squarely on a weekend-- it will mean plans begin on Friday, the (gulp!) 13th. As I have pounded into the heads of all the young single males in my family, the way to a woman's heart is through her tummy. One newly married nephew not only cooks his bride’s dinner, but also makes wine to please her. (Quite justifiable, as she, albeit a great cook, is busy with medical school.)

Most of us can't do the winemaking part, so we rely on professionals to enhance our romance-focused dining. I would advocate choosing something that will address whatever dinner you’re planning. Makes sense, right? But beyond that, choose something that's gentle on the palate, not necessarily sweet, although that's a possibility, as you'll see, but a wine that has a certain softness or suppleness in its texture. Red wines want easy tannins, so they may go with chocolate. (Don’t forget the chocolate!)

Sparkling wines are absolutely de rigueur for Valentine's Day, and in my view they should be pink, the color of love. But more than that, brut rose Champagne and sparkling wine—including Cava and South African Cap Classique—is richer, more complex and more interesting than blanc de blanc. It's the sparkling wine preference of real wine enthusiasts. Nothing starts a meal more romantically, especially if you're planning on asking the "big question." They're easy on the alcohol, too, but brut rose is not what you want with caviar.

The meal—and the wines—should be light to keep the evening from turning dull with too much food and alcohol. Going for fish would be a good idea, starting with oysters—whether you believe that old chestnut about their aphrodisiac advantages or not. Cold water oysters are best for enjoying raw, while Gulf oysters are excellent cooked, a la Rockefeller, for instance. Then choose a lean, rather than rich, sparkling or still wine with good acidity to cut through that richness.

Red wines for the main attraction if it's meat-based should be easy on tannins and substantial in fruit. Harsh tannins and scarce fruit won't bode well for the romance's future, and will render the red wine impossible with chocolate.

And of course the meal should conclude with something sweet, either a wine with fruit or something to go with chocolate.

No matter who's doing the cooking, these ideas should keep the evening on track. Candles recommended but not required...