2 1/2 days and about 300 wines later...
As promised, here is part 1 of the review of my time in Atlanta.
Let me begin by saying that I am not the biggest fan of that fair city. Between the traffic, the sprawl, the drivers, and the fact that half the roads there are some variation on the word 'Peachtree', I have been plenty content to let those who live there enjoy it all to themselves. I still pretty much feel that way except for one little part, Buckhead.
Tasting #1. Quality Wine & Spirits with Inland Seafood.
Held at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead, this was one hell of a tasting. My financial advisor and I started off with a bit of a surprise. JD Selections is a relatively new improrter working within the framework of European Cellars (aka Eric Solomon). As you might have guessed, it is owned and operated by a guy named J.D. and it is no wonder that Solomon has decided to help him out. Wines that are right up my alley. This day he was showing mostly wines from the Loire Valley and mostly from the .03 vintage. They were awesome. If you plan to drink anything 2003 from France, look at the Loire. The .03 vintage (emphasizing on whites) is shaky at best. Due entirely to the freakish heat, the wines show no acidity whatsoever. More on this later.
Next up was European Cellars and true to form, spotless. Eric Solomon continues to find unbelievable wines for extraordinary prices. Of course, Spain was represented handsomely as well as a few French that will be in the shop soon. Thanks to Kate Godwin for her time and attention.
Into the main room and straight away is Robert Jones, M.S. from Kysela. Very nice Albariños as well as a sparkling cider that dominated the palate. Very reminiscent of the Iced Cider we brought back from Montreal. Standing next to Bob Jones was a gentleman wearing a bright pink feather boa. This is not all that rare in Savannah, but at a wine tasting? and he's not the one that's loaded? Charles Bieler of Château Routas. Obviously he doesn't take himself all too seriously, but once I was able to get him one on one, a very interesting person to talk with.
My conversation with him was like many I had over the two days: Far more informative than in previous years. I'm not sure which side of the coin is getting more polished but I asked questions that were technical, non-technical, marketing, opinion, whatever and straight up answers without the obligatory smoke-blowing of old. Those of you who have been to the shop have heard me yammer ad nauseum about Routas. For those of you who haven't, you are missing out. I can't think of another producer (in Provence or elsewhere) that is making as many different wines as well. Maybe Telmo Rodriguez.
Vintage .59 was up next and another knock out. Marc Tempé - Alsace - Awesome.
Rosenthal = Burgundy = Bad Ass
Vias = Italy and how.
By this point, the financial advisor is feeling fine. There was a food vendor serving 'Kobe' beef that had more than a captive audience with her. This brings up my only criticism of the tasting. The entire tasting was surrounded by the various suppliers that make up Inland Seafood's portfolio. I understand that it was a joint show and that not all people in attendance were proprietors of retail wine shops, but apparently salmon is the next big thing. Either that or the world has way too much of the stuff. It seemed as if every time I turned around (or more importantly tried to smell a wine) there was some dude sautéing, grilling, smoking, or otherwise doing something Salmon. My suggestion, put the fishmongers on the other side of the room, or in a different room altogether. Nothing on them, it just didn't seem to make sense. I was not alone in this observation.
Retire for a bit and then get dressed for dinner. After a couple of drinks at the bar, everybody loaded up for a trek to Bazaar. Richard Blais is the chef and he graciously opened on their day off for the crew. I had heard of Mr. Blais but had never had his food. Imagine Burrows meets Julia Child. Simple Ingredients, perfect execution, and a healthy dose of crack. This guy is on a different planet. I heard rumors of a fois gras 'shake'. It did not show. Due to my dietary concerns, 'No Swine, No Bovine' (back 'atcha, my Muslim brothers) I did not eat some of the dishes he served, although the did not go to waste.
The one standout, although that isn't really fair, was on face value, wrong. Due to its presentation, you couldn't really make out what the ingredients were. From bottom to top: Salmon (again), a cube of the ripest watermelon I have ever had, a slice of avocado, and a horse radish cream sauce. After reading this, it looks wrong. But it worked, and worked famously. Unreal. I highly recommend checking this place out (it's on Peachtree - you know the one- right beside the Fox Theater) if you have the chance. A few Stella Artois' later, it was straight to bed, got two more of these tomorrow.
Part 2 coming...
Let me begin by saying that I am not the biggest fan of that fair city. Between the traffic, the sprawl, the drivers, and the fact that half the roads there are some variation on the word 'Peachtree', I have been plenty content to let those who live there enjoy it all to themselves. I still pretty much feel that way except for one little part, Buckhead.
Tasting #1. Quality Wine & Spirits with Inland Seafood.
Held at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead, this was one hell of a tasting. My financial advisor and I started off with a bit of a surprise. JD Selections is a relatively new improrter working within the framework of European Cellars (aka Eric Solomon). As you might have guessed, it is owned and operated by a guy named J.D. and it is no wonder that Solomon has decided to help him out. Wines that are right up my alley. This day he was showing mostly wines from the Loire Valley and mostly from the .03 vintage. They were awesome. If you plan to drink anything 2003 from France, look at the Loire. The .03 vintage (emphasizing on whites) is shaky at best. Due entirely to the freakish heat, the wines show no acidity whatsoever. More on this later.
Next up was European Cellars and true to form, spotless. Eric Solomon continues to find unbelievable wines for extraordinary prices. Of course, Spain was represented handsomely as well as a few French that will be in the shop soon. Thanks to Kate Godwin for her time and attention.
Into the main room and straight away is Robert Jones, M.S. from Kysela. Very nice Albariños as well as a sparkling cider that dominated the palate. Very reminiscent of the Iced Cider we brought back from Montreal. Standing next to Bob Jones was a gentleman wearing a bright pink feather boa. This is not all that rare in Savannah, but at a wine tasting? and he's not the one that's loaded? Charles Bieler of Château Routas. Obviously he doesn't take himself all too seriously, but once I was able to get him one on one, a very interesting person to talk with.
My conversation with him was like many I had over the two days: Far more informative than in previous years. I'm not sure which side of the coin is getting more polished but I asked questions that were technical, non-technical, marketing, opinion, whatever and straight up answers without the obligatory smoke-blowing of old. Those of you who have been to the shop have heard me yammer ad nauseum about Routas. For those of you who haven't, you are missing out. I can't think of another producer (in Provence or elsewhere) that is making as many different wines as well. Maybe Telmo Rodriguez.
Vintage .59 was up next and another knock out. Marc Tempé - Alsace - Awesome.
Rosenthal = Burgundy = Bad Ass
Vias = Italy and how.
By this point, the financial advisor is feeling fine. There was a food vendor serving 'Kobe' beef that had more than a captive audience with her. This brings up my only criticism of the tasting. The entire tasting was surrounded by the various suppliers that make up Inland Seafood's portfolio. I understand that it was a joint show and that not all people in attendance were proprietors of retail wine shops, but apparently salmon is the next big thing. Either that or the world has way too much of the stuff. It seemed as if every time I turned around (or more importantly tried to smell a wine) there was some dude sautéing, grilling, smoking, or otherwise doing something Salmon. My suggestion, put the fishmongers on the other side of the room, or in a different room altogether. Nothing on them, it just didn't seem to make sense. I was not alone in this observation.
Retire for a bit and then get dressed for dinner. After a couple of drinks at the bar, everybody loaded up for a trek to Bazaar. Richard Blais is the chef and he graciously opened on their day off for the crew. I had heard of Mr. Blais but had never had his food. Imagine Burrows meets Julia Child. Simple Ingredients, perfect execution, and a healthy dose of crack. This guy is on a different planet. I heard rumors of a fois gras 'shake'. It did not show. Due to my dietary concerns, 'No Swine, No Bovine' (back 'atcha, my Muslim brothers) I did not eat some of the dishes he served, although the did not go to waste.
The one standout, although that isn't really fair, was on face value, wrong. Due to its presentation, you couldn't really make out what the ingredients were. From bottom to top: Salmon (again), a cube of the ripest watermelon I have ever had, a slice of avocado, and a horse radish cream sauce. After reading this, it looks wrong. But it worked, and worked famously. Unreal. I highly recommend checking this place out (it's on Peachtree - you know the one- right beside the Fox Theater) if you have the chance. A few Stella Artois' later, it was straight to bed, got two more of these tomorrow.
Part 2 coming...
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