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A Wine Club in Atlanta, GA, founded in 2008. We meet to taste wine, gab, snack, and learn. TWITs is all about having fun, trying wines, and growing your palate.
Showing posts with label ISAW Foundation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ISAW Foundation. Show all posts
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Wine Shoe - Wine 101 Class -
Wine Shoe - Wine 101 Class - Saturday 09/17/2011 2:45pm.
--
For those unfamiliar, Wine Shoe is a boutique wine shop in the Castleberry Hill area of Atlanta. Nora is the owner. They have roughly 140 small-production wines available for sale, mostly from Europe, Central and South America, and South Africa, and a few from California. Most of the wines are under $20 in price, which makes it much more affordable to Drink Well! They are also retailers of the ISAW Foundation recommended wines from M'Hudi and Seven Sisters wineries - which makes ME a HUGE fan off the bat.
Wine Shoe Classes - Also Wine Shoe hosts classes on various weeknights and weekends. See their website for details and registration.
--
We went to Wine Shoe for the Wine 101 class. Yes yes I know, we are not complete beginners, but it is always good to go back to the beginning to learn things you may have forgotten, or learn new things you missed when jumping into the Wine World the first time. Back to the basics we went.
--
Our instructor was Teresa (Tair-ray-suh), a lovely woman who can be instantly recognized by her black beret . you may have seen her around town? I know I have run into her on several occasions. She loves good food and wine, and she is hysterically funny to talk with. I adore her!
--
Top Ten Most Used Wine Terms (ok maybe more than 10).
Aroma (also bouquet, perfume, nose, scent), the intensity and character of the aroma can be assessed with nearly any descriptive adjective. Usually refers to the particular smell of the grape variety. The word "Bouquet" is usually restricted to describing the aroma of a cellar-aged bottled wine.
Balance balance of wine elements (ie: no individual part is dominant). Acid balances sweetness, fruit balances oak and tannin content, alcohol is balanced against acidity and flavor. Wine not in balance may be acidic, cloying, flat, or harsh.
Crisp - wine having a pronounced but pleasing tartness, acidity. Fresh, young and eager, begs to be drunk. In general used to describe white wines only, especially those of Muscadet de Sevres et Maine from the Loire region of France.
Dry- dry wine types have sugars that have been all used up to create alcohol. The wine possesses little or no sweetness.
Finish- term used to describe the taste left in the mouth after swallowing the wine. Both character and length of the aftertaste are part of the total evaluation. The finish may be harsh, hot, soft, and lingering, short, smooth, tannic, or non-existant at all.
Fruity- used for any quality that refers to the body and richness of a wine made from good, ripe grapes. A fruity wine has an apple-like or berry-like, or herbaceous character. Fruitiness implies a little extra sweetness.
Smooth/Soft/Velvety - Generally has low acid-tannin content. Also describes wines with low alcohol content. Consequently has little impact on the palate.
Spicy - almost a synonym for peppery. Implies a softer, more rounded flavor nuance however.
Structure - the flavor plan, so to speak. Suggests completeness of the wine, all the parts there, term needs a modifier in order to mean something (ie: brawny)
Sulphites - preservatives
Tannins - a naturally occurring substance in grape skins, seeds, and stems. Is primarily responsible for the basic "bitter" component in wines. Acts as a natural preservative, helping the development, and in the right proportion, balance of the wine. It is considered a fault when present in excess.
Taste - The four basic sensations detectable by the human tongue. The tip of the tongue contains the taste receptors registering sweetness, just a little further back, at the sides, the taste will appear salty, behind that the flavor will have a sour taste at the sides, finally dissolving into bitterness at the near center-rear of the tongue.
Terroir (tear-r-wah) - medium that the grape vines are growing in (land, geographical location, winds, weather, soil, etc).
Varietal - grape or variety of grape used to make the wine, sometimes many varietals are used in a wine, then it is considered a blend.
Vintage - the year or age of the wine
--
Classic Varietal Information
Cabernet Sauvignon -(Cab-er-nay-Saw-veen-yawn) - classic red - distinctive black currant aroma can develop bouquet nuances of cedar, violets, leather earth, or tobacco. typically has a tannic edge that will soften and smooth considerably with time. It's a wine that ages extremely well, and indeed produces striking results after a long storage period.
Chardonnay - (Shar-doe-nay)- classic white - unmistakable in the mouth because of its impeccable sugar/acid balance, full body, and smooth ripe flavors. It often smells like apples, peaches, or tropical fruits. Popular throughout the world, it is the most commonly planted varietal in California.
Chenin Blanc - (Shen-nin-blahnk) classic white - the most vibrant comes from the Loire Valley of France, but it is the leading white grape of South Africa, where it is known as Steen. It is full, round, and effortless to drink.
Merlot - (mer-low) classic red - Merlots tend to be dry, rich in flavor, and smooth in finish. The bouquet is ripe with berry and fruit smells, and thus the wines tend to have fruit forward flavors. Merlots can be consumed soon after bottling, but can age for long periods for optimal tasting.
Pinot Noir - (Pee-no-nwar) classic red - lighter color and bodied red wine, with intense complex flavors and a silky texture. Somewhat dry in its taste, the flavors often include berries, plums, cherries, rose petals, and mushrooms. The grapes are difficult to grow and susceptible to disease, making the varietal an excellent challenge for most winemakers. This varietal shows best when grown in cool climate. (My fave Pinot Noirs come from Williamette Valley Oregon or Russian River Valley).
Riesling - (reez-ling) classic white - A particularly refreshing alternative to the Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc white wine tandem. Unlike its cousin, Gewurztraminer (Guh-vertz-trah-miner), this varietal has little spice and instead relies on its delicate aromas and subtle flavors for its niche. usually lighter in style and sometimes residual sweetness, it's better paired with lighter fare. (I prefer DRY Rieslings)
Sangiovese - (san-gee-o-vay-zee) main red wine in Italy
Sauvignon Blanc - (Saw-veen-yawn-Blahnk) classic white - The polar opposite of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc is brisk, refreshing, herb scented, grassy, grapefruit, passion fruit, gooseberry, or melon with a streak of sharp acidity. The varietal can be extremely dry or even sweet, depending on the wine maker.
Syrah or Shiraz (Sear-rah, sheer-rahz)- classic red - makes velvety wine with exotic perfumes of smoke, bacon, violets, and blueberries.
Tempranillo (temp-ra-nee-yo)- red varietal from Spain
Viognier - (vee-own-yay) - white wine, typically sweeter and high in sugar (depending who makes it).
--
The 4 S's of wine
Sight
Swirl
Scent
Sip
--
Wine 101's Tasting Notes:
1) 2009 D'Lucio Sparkling Rose, Tempranillo, Spain, 7% alcohol,
2) Altosur Sauvignon Blanc, Mendoza Argentina, 12% alcohol,
3) 2010 El Peral Chardonnay, Tupungato, Valle De Uco, Mendoza, Argentina. 13.6% alcohol
4) 2009 Le Dog Merlot, Tuchan, Languedoc, France - $13.99
5) 2009 Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 14% alcohol - $19.99
6) 2003 Mt. Jagged Shiraz (98% Shiraz, 2% Viognier), Australia, 14% alcohol - $19.99
7) 2009 Seven Sisters Odelia Bukettraube - Swartland South Africa, 12% alcohol - $17.99
--
Wine Shoe's Off The Wall VIP Club
currently $79.99/month to get:
--
Bonus class notes:
Italian toast - Hold up your glass, look the person you are toasting in the eye, and as you clink, say "Chin-Chin." Make sure you look them in the eye or you will have 5 years of bad sex (says Teresa). The origination of the toast is the Italian word for 5 = Cinque (cheen-quay). It means from my 5 senses to your 5 senses. Meaning of course the 5 senses (see, smell, taste, touch, hear).
Bukettraube -(Boo-ket-traw-buh) white wine varietal - also sometimes spelled as "Bouquettraube", originally from Germany, now grown most notably in South Africa (yum!)
--
For those unfamiliar, Wine Shoe is a boutique wine shop in the Castleberry Hill area of Atlanta. Nora is the owner. They have roughly 140 small-production wines available for sale, mostly from Europe, Central and South America, and South Africa, and a few from California. Most of the wines are under $20 in price, which makes it much more affordable to Drink Well! They are also retailers of the ISAW Foundation recommended wines from M'Hudi and Seven Sisters wineries - which makes ME a HUGE fan off the bat.
Wine Shoe Classes - Also Wine Shoe hosts classes on various weeknights and weekends. See their website for details and registration.
--
We went to Wine Shoe for the Wine 101 class. Yes yes I know, we are not complete beginners, but it is always good to go back to the beginning to learn things you may have forgotten, or learn new things you missed when jumping into the Wine World the first time. Back to the basics we went.
--
Our instructor was Teresa (Tair-ray-suh), a lovely woman who can be instantly recognized by her black beret . you may have seen her around town? I know I have run into her on several occasions. She loves good food and wine, and she is hysterically funny to talk with. I adore her!
--
Top Ten Most Used Wine Terms (ok maybe more than 10).
Aroma (also bouquet, perfume, nose, scent), the intensity and character of the aroma can be assessed with nearly any descriptive adjective. Usually refers to the particular smell of the grape variety. The word "Bouquet" is usually restricted to describing the aroma of a cellar-aged bottled wine.
Balance balance of wine elements (ie: no individual part is dominant). Acid balances sweetness, fruit balances oak and tannin content, alcohol is balanced against acidity and flavor. Wine not in balance may be acidic, cloying, flat, or harsh.
Crisp - wine having a pronounced but pleasing tartness, acidity. Fresh, young and eager, begs to be drunk. In general used to describe white wines only, especially those of Muscadet de Sevres et Maine from the Loire region of France.
Dry- dry wine types have sugars that have been all used up to create alcohol. The wine possesses little or no sweetness.
Finish- term used to describe the taste left in the mouth after swallowing the wine. Both character and length of the aftertaste are part of the total evaluation. The finish may be harsh, hot, soft, and lingering, short, smooth, tannic, or non-existant at all.
Fruity- used for any quality that refers to the body and richness of a wine made from good, ripe grapes. A fruity wine has an apple-like or berry-like, or herbaceous character. Fruitiness implies a little extra sweetness.
Smooth/Soft/Velvety - Generally has low acid-tannin content. Also describes wines with low alcohol content. Consequently has little impact on the palate.
Spicy - almost a synonym for peppery. Implies a softer, more rounded flavor nuance however.
Structure - the flavor plan, so to speak. Suggests completeness of the wine, all the parts there, term needs a modifier in order to mean something (ie: brawny)
Sulphites - preservatives
Tannins - a naturally occurring substance in grape skins, seeds, and stems. Is primarily responsible for the basic "bitter" component in wines. Acts as a natural preservative, helping the development, and in the right proportion, balance of the wine. It is considered a fault when present in excess.
Taste - The four basic sensations detectable by the human tongue. The tip of the tongue contains the taste receptors registering sweetness, just a little further back, at the sides, the taste will appear salty, behind that the flavor will have a sour taste at the sides, finally dissolving into bitterness at the near center-rear of the tongue.
Terroir (tear-r-wah) - medium that the grape vines are growing in (land, geographical location, winds, weather, soil, etc).
Varietal - grape or variety of grape used to make the wine, sometimes many varietals are used in a wine, then it is considered a blend.
Vintage - the year or age of the wine
--
Classic Varietal Information
Cabernet Sauvignon -(Cab-er-nay-Saw-veen-yawn) - classic red - distinctive black currant aroma can develop bouquet nuances of cedar, violets, leather earth, or tobacco. typically has a tannic edge that will soften and smooth considerably with time. It's a wine that ages extremely well, and indeed produces striking results after a long storage period.
Chardonnay - (Shar-doe-nay)- classic white - unmistakable in the mouth because of its impeccable sugar/acid balance, full body, and smooth ripe flavors. It often smells like apples, peaches, or tropical fruits. Popular throughout the world, it is the most commonly planted varietal in California.
Chenin Blanc - (Shen-nin-blahnk) classic white - the most vibrant comes from the Loire Valley of France, but it is the leading white grape of South Africa, where it is known as Steen. It is full, round, and effortless to drink.
Merlot - (mer-low) classic red - Merlots tend to be dry, rich in flavor, and smooth in finish. The bouquet is ripe with berry and fruit smells, and thus the wines tend to have fruit forward flavors. Merlots can be consumed soon after bottling, but can age for long periods for optimal tasting.
Pinot Noir - (Pee-no-nwar) classic red - lighter color and bodied red wine, with intense complex flavors and a silky texture. Somewhat dry in its taste, the flavors often include berries, plums, cherries, rose petals, and mushrooms. The grapes are difficult to grow and susceptible to disease, making the varietal an excellent challenge for most winemakers. This varietal shows best when grown in cool climate. (My fave Pinot Noirs come from Williamette Valley Oregon or Russian River Valley).
Riesling - (reez-ling) classic white - A particularly refreshing alternative to the Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc white wine tandem. Unlike its cousin, Gewurztraminer (Guh-vertz-trah-miner), this varietal has little spice and instead relies on its delicate aromas and subtle flavors for its niche. usually lighter in style and sometimes residual sweetness, it's better paired with lighter fare. (I prefer DRY Rieslings)
Sangiovese - (san-gee-o-vay-zee) main red wine in Italy
Sauvignon Blanc - (Saw-veen-yawn-Blahnk) classic white - The polar opposite of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc is brisk, refreshing, herb scented, grassy, grapefruit, passion fruit, gooseberry, or melon with a streak of sharp acidity. The varietal can be extremely dry or even sweet, depending on the wine maker.
Syrah or Shiraz (Sear-rah, sheer-rahz)- classic red - makes velvety wine with exotic perfumes of smoke, bacon, violets, and blueberries.
Tempranillo (temp-ra-nee-yo)- red varietal from Spain
Viognier - (vee-own-yay) - white wine, typically sweeter and high in sugar (depending who makes it).
--
The 4 S's of wine
Sight
Swirl
Scent
Sip
--
Wine 101's Tasting Notes:
1) 2009 D'Lucio Sparkling Rose, Tempranillo, Spain, 7% alcohol,
2) Altosur Sauvignon Blanc, Mendoza Argentina, 12% alcohol,
3) 2010 El Peral Chardonnay, Tupungato, Valle De Uco, Mendoza, Argentina. 13.6% alcohol
4) 2009 Le Dog Merlot, Tuchan, Languedoc, France - $13.99
5) 2009 Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 14% alcohol - $19.99
6) 2003 Mt. Jagged Shiraz (98% Shiraz, 2% Viognier), Australia, 14% alcohol - $19.99
7) 2009 Seven Sisters Odelia Bukettraube - Swartland South Africa, 12% alcohol - $17.99
--
Wine Shoe's Off The Wall VIP Club
currently $79.99/month to get:
- Wine shopping by appointment for your convenience - even when they are "closed"
- Six bottles of Off The Wall wines each month
- Free wine Shoe 6-bottle wine tote bag
- Free monthly tasting during scheduled pickup on 2nd Monday of each month
- Two Free Seats to one of their classes when you sign up for 1 year.
- Free gift wrapping on special purchases
- 15% off on re-orders of cases of the Off The Wall wines throughout the feature month.
- 12% off case purchases of any of their other wine
- 6% off when you buy 6 or more bottles.
- Half Price on any other classes, and half price for your guest(s) when they come with you.
- Personal Wine Consulting service
--
Bonus class notes:
Italian toast - Hold up your glass, look the person you are toasting in the eye, and as you clink, say "Chin-Chin." Make sure you look them in the eye or you will have 5 years of bad sex (says Teresa). The origination of the toast is the Italian word for 5 = Cinque (cheen-quay). It means from my 5 senses to your 5 senses. Meaning of course the 5 senses (see, smell, taste, touch, hear).
Bukettraube -(Boo-ket-traw-buh) white wine varietal - also sometimes spelled as "Bouquettraube", originally from Germany, now grown most notably in South Africa (yum!)
Friday, July 30, 2010
ISAW Foundation Media Project Fundraiser
ISAW 1K 4C: 1,000 People for $100
Take the challenge! This spring, thousands of people across the country were introduced to the ISAW Foundation and our mission of using wine to create economic opportunity for Africans through our Drink Well Do Good Campaign. This summer, we spent seven weeks in South Africa on the M’hudi Estate working on research and media development. With the help of our media partner Clear Films, we captured over 100 hours of footage in what is the most comprehensive collection of film that has ever been dedicated to the subject of black vintners, farmers, and black empowerment viticultural projects.
ISAW will use this media to help black entrepreneurs get their product to the US market, and engage Foundations, donors, and corporations for the financial support needed to develop the ISAW Training Center on the M’hudi Estate—South Africa’s first black‐owned vineyard. We need your help to develop the media and the school! As an incentive, if you help our Foundation, we’ll help you start your wine cellar! Here’s how:
1. Raise $100: It’s that simple! Please note that this is not asking you to personally give $100, we just need you to pledge your support to help raise it. Tell your friends, family, and co‐workers
that you have taken the challenge and that you need their help. $10, $20, $50, anything…once
you reach $100 you get a free bottle of delicious South African wine on us! Share it with
those who helped you raise it!
2. Recruit one more; win more wine! Each new donor you get, you will receive a new bottle
How to Donate
• Collect payments from your collaborators
• Submit your contribution via check to ISAW Foundation PO BOX 5502 Atlanta, GA 31107 OR
• Submit your payment online at www.toastafrica.com and clicking the icon that says SUPPORT
• If you are mailing a check, make sure you include your name, address, email, and phone number so we can get you your wine.
To help kickstart the initative, Emory University will match our donations until August 1st.
Also, check out this awesome profile of Mhudi on CBS
Thank you a million times over for all of your support. Thank you thank you thank you! I hope that you can see from all of our progress that we couldn't do it without you!
Also here is the Drink Well Do Good Trailer
Drink Well, Do Good,
Stephen A. Satterfield
ISAW Founder
------------------------
Take the challenge! This spring, thousands of people across the country were introduced to the ISAW Foundation and our mission of using wine to create economic opportunity for Africans through our Drink Well Do Good Campaign. This summer, we spent seven weeks in South Africa on the M’hudi Estate working on research and media development. With the help of our media partner Clear Films, we captured over 100 hours of footage in what is the most comprehensive collection of film that has ever been dedicated to the subject of black vintners, farmers, and black empowerment viticultural projects.
ISAW will use this media to help black entrepreneurs get their product to the US market, and engage Foundations, donors, and corporations for the financial support needed to develop the ISAW Training Center on the M’hudi Estate—South Africa’s first black‐owned vineyard. We need your help to develop the media and the school! As an incentive, if you help our Foundation, we’ll help you start your wine cellar! Here’s how:
1. Raise $100: It’s that simple! Please note that this is not asking you to personally give $100, we just need you to pledge your support to help raise it. Tell your friends, family, and co‐workers
that you have taken the challenge and that you need their help. $10, $20, $50, anything…once
you reach $100 you get a free bottle of delicious South African wine on us! Share it with
those who helped you raise it!
2. Recruit one more; win more wine! Each new donor you get, you will receive a new bottle
How to Donate
• Collect payments from your collaborators
• Submit your contribution via check to ISAW Foundation PO BOX 5502 Atlanta, GA 31107 OR
• Submit your payment online at www.toastafrica.com and clicking the icon that says SUPPORT
• If you are mailing a check, make sure you include your name, address, email, and phone number so we can get you your wine.
To help kickstart the initative, Emory University will match our donations until August 1st.
Also, check out this awesome profile of Mhudi on CBS
Thank you a million times over for all of your support. Thank you thank you thank you! I hope that you can see from all of our progress that we couldn't do it without you!
Also here is the Drink Well Do Good Trailer
Drink Well, Do Good,
Stephen A. Satterfield
ISAW Founder
------------------------
CONGRATULATIONS!
The TWITs and friends raised $200 for ISAW Foundation before August 1st!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
ISAW article in The Voyeur Magazine!!!
ISAW published in The Voyeur Magazine!!!!
This article also mentions the Emily Amy Gallery and the TWITs recent wine tasting there.
Link = Green Spotlight on the ISAW Foundation.
Special thanks to ISAW, Emily Amy Gallery, Zazen Photo LLC, and Dreama (editor of The Voyeur Mag, who was kind enough to publish this article as a "sneak peek" of the Green Issue, coming out in full next month on their website).
This article also mentions the Emily Amy Gallery and the TWITs recent wine tasting there.
Link = Green Spotlight on the ISAW Foundation.
Special thanks to ISAW, Emily Amy Gallery, Zazen Photo LLC, and Dreama (editor of The Voyeur Mag, who was kind enough to publish this article as a "sneak peek" of the Green Issue, coming out in full next month on their website).
Monday, March 15, 2010
ONE DAY ONLY - meet Vivian of Seven Sisters Winery
Vivian & Abbie (drinking Seven Sisters Dawn Pinotage/Shiraz and Vivian Sauvignon Blanc respectively) Vivian (one of the Seven Sisters) from Seven Sister's Winery in South Africa will be here for ONE DAY ONLY this week.
She's going to be at 10 Degrees South from 4p-6p on 3/18 - Thursday. Vivian is one of the Seven Sisters and she helped get them all back together after they had been apart for many years. Each of the Seven Sisters have a wine named after them.
Monday, February 15, 2010
ISAW Event at Emily Amy Gallery - February 24th, 2010
Join us for an event that will tantalize your taste buds
& satisfy your hunger for social change! ISAW will be
providing us with a selection of wines to taste, and
TWITs will be providing hors de oeuvres and other
snacks. The Emily Amy Gallery has graciously donated
their beautiful space for this special event!
100% of your tax-deductible contribution will benefit ISAW,
an organization dedicated to diminishing poverty &
inequality in South Africa by partnering with black-owned
& socially-progressive vineyards to support the socioeconomic development of African farmers & their communities.
$20 per person suggested donation. To reserve your tasting: Please go to www.toastafrica.com and click on Support. In Step 1 fill in $20 (per person) in the blank field or make an even more generous donation! Once you receive a confirmation for your contribution, please print it out and bring it with you to the tasting.
Thank you! We look forward to Drinking Well and Doing Good with you!
To learn more about your hosts for this event, please visit:
http://www.isawfoundation.org/
http://www.emilyamygallery.com/
TWITs Wine Club (The Winos In Training)
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
1) M'hudi Sauvignon Blanc - light, acidic, multi-layered wine, hints of honeysuckle, pineapple, and to use Stephen's word "herbacious" - pairs well with goat cheese.
2) M'hudi Pinotage - my fave! smoky nose and tastes divine. Perfectly plummy, red wine, purple in color, light yet flavorful. The smokiness would pair well with southern barbeque or smoked/grilled meats.
3) Seven Sisters Odelia - Bukettraube - melon, lychee notes, a light off-dry treat that would be an amazing dessert wine, or perfect for a summer's day.
Photography of this event courtesy of Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo LLC.
Monday, November 30, 2009
ISAW Blackout Today
Letter from Stephen:
"Dear Friends,
This Tuesday December 1, ISAW will launch our 2010 initiative, the Drink Well Do Good Tour. On Tuesday December 1, people from all over the world will take part in a simple campaign called BlackOut. We're asking that on this day, you all can help us cause a stir with this celebration. Here's how:
1) We'd like to send you a file of our ISAW logo. Can you make this your Facebook image for one day? If youre a blogger of tweeter, can you post this image?
2) Can you print this logo, take a picture of you holding it, and send it back? We are going to put the images on a gallery on our website (which launches on Dec 1). The goal is to have people from cities all over the world send us images of them holding the ISAW graphic. The gallery will read ISAW ATL, ISAW CAPE TOWN, ISAW DC, etc...Its that simple. In the weeks ahead we will build on this campaign and have a very cool catalog of art and viral campaigns. Help us bring in the BlackOut by forwarding this to others. Thanks for your support and we look forward to sharing more about the exciting developments around the 2010 Drink Well Do Good Tour. Please email isawstephen@gmail.com for more details and your BlackOut graphic.
Drink Well, Do Good,
Stephen"
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
ISAW is having a Pinot Party!
ISAW Foundation (which was just granted non-profit status or is now a US-based 501(c)(3) company) - is hosting a PINOT Party!
Per Stephen's email:
Per Stephen's email:
" Pinot Party
Finally, a related, personal, programming note. Many of you know that my affinity for wine began in the Willamette Valley, in Portland, OR. What you didn't know is one of the first wine functions I ever hosted was with a small winery called Apolloni. Almost 5 years later, Apolloni has expanded into the GA market, and my old friend and National Sales Director Laura Gordon is in Atlanta introducing these wines. On Thursday September 24th, she'll be at Buckhead Wine Storage pouring estate grown Pinot Noir for only $5!! If you know how expensive and delicious Oregon Pinot is you're all over this.
What: Apolloni Pinot Noir Tasting
When: Thursday September 24, 2009 7:00PM-9:00PM
Where: Buckhead Wine Storage, 3185 Maple Drive (just one block West of the corner of Peachtree X Piedmont)
Cost: $5 (BYOG- Bring your own glass) $10 All others"
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
ISAW Wines - March 18, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Mina
ISAW Wines - March 18, 2009 - Hostess: Ms Mina
ISAW Website.ISAW - International Society of Africans in Wine - is a non-profit organization founded in January 2008 by sommelier Stephen Satterfield. Their focus is training and development of skills for South Africans. In addition to the training, a plus is that the wines are exported world-wide. The money raised through the sale of the wine, is reinvested in the facilities, farmers, and community.
Note: ISAW is also on Facebook (become a fan), and some of the wines were also auctioned off at the High Museum event later that month (March 2009).
You might find some of the ISAW wines at Whole Foods or Ansley Kroger. Ask your local Wine Merchant for more details or to carry these wines.
Distributer - Bacco Fine Wine
Wines: About Seven Sisters . About M'Hudi
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
We had the pleasure of Mr. Stephen Satterfield's presence as our own Wine Club Sommelier that evening. His eloquence and sharpened palate were a great honor to witness.
1) Seven Sisters - Yolanda (Chenin Blanc) - retails for approximately $14-15/bottle
pale yellow, smells like peachy/pear, light, moderate finish, dry, tart, good with cheese or fruit, late harvest, can grow in hot climate but also in cool climate to let acidity come thru.
2) M'Hudi Sauvignon Blanc (M'Hudi means "The Harvester") - retails for $16-17/bottle
sole black viticultural land owners in South Africa.
pale yellow/green, smells like green, light, sweeter, green/bitter, finish is dry,
Stephen says "herbacious"
pair with fruity/salty/fat content foods
3) 2006 M'Hudi Pinotage - retails for $17/bottle
scientist from South Africa, hybrid from Pinot Noir, first planted in South Africa.
dark burgundy color, tastes berry-like, blue and red berries, smoky, dried dill smell ? dry wine
pair with roasted or bbq chicken, something with sweet/tangy sauce
4) Seven Sisters - Dawn (Pinotage/Shiraz) - retails for $15/bottle
dry but nicely done, smells like strawberries, rhubarb, cooked/baked strawberries, floral notes maybe?
pair with roasted meats or bbq
5) 2008 Seven Sisters - Odelia (Bukettraube) - retails for $13-14/bottle
(pronounced 'boo-kuh-trobe') German grape but varietal usually found in South Africa, he has never had a German one.
clear, summery flavor, crazy aromatic, not too sweet, ripe fruit/peaches/honeysuckle smell, rose
pair with Blue Cheese or Thai.
ISAW Website.ISAW - International Society of Africans in Wine - is a non-profit organization founded in January 2008 by sommelier Stephen Satterfield. Their focus is training and development of skills for South Africans. In addition to the training, a plus is that the wines are exported world-wide. The money raised through the sale of the wine, is reinvested in the facilities, farmers, and community.
Note: ISAW is also on Facebook (become a fan), and some of the wines were also auctioned off at the High Museum event later that month (March 2009).
You might find some of the ISAW wines at Whole Foods or Ansley Kroger. Ask your local Wine Merchant for more details or to carry these wines.
Distributer - Bacco Fine Wine
Wines: About Seven Sisters . About M'Hudi
Abbie's Tasting Notes:
We had the pleasure of Mr. Stephen Satterfield's presence as our own Wine Club Sommelier that evening. His eloquence and sharpened palate were a great honor to witness.
1) Seven Sisters - Yolanda (Chenin Blanc) - retails for approximately $14-15/bottle
pale yellow, smells like peachy/pear, light, moderate finish, dry, tart, good with cheese or fruit, late harvest, can grow in hot climate but also in cool climate to let acidity come thru.
2) M'Hudi Sauvignon Blanc (M'Hudi means "The Harvester") - retails for $16-17/bottle
sole black viticultural land owners in South Africa.
pale yellow/green, smells like green, light, sweeter, green/bitter, finish is dry,
Stephen says "herbacious"
pair with fruity/salty/fat content foods
3) 2006 M'Hudi Pinotage - retails for $17/bottle
scientist from South Africa, hybrid from Pinot Noir, first planted in South Africa.
dark burgundy color, tastes berry-like, blue and red berries, smoky, dried dill smell ? dry wine
pair with roasted or bbq chicken, something with sweet/tangy sauce
4) Seven Sisters - Dawn (Pinotage/Shiraz) - retails for $15/bottle
dry but nicely done, smells like strawberries, rhubarb, cooked/baked strawberries, floral notes maybe?
pair with roasted meats or bbq
5) 2008 Seven Sisters - Odelia (Bukettraube) - retails for $13-14/bottle
(pronounced 'boo-kuh-trobe') German grape but varietal usually found in South Africa, he has never had a German one.
clear, summery flavor, crazy aromatic, not too sweet, ripe fruit/peaches/honeysuckle smell, rose
pair with Blue Cheese or Thai.
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