trip to Atlanta

We had a big time last weekend!! Al and I went to Alanta to visit our older son and to check out some Atlanta wine stores. We started out by stopping at Total Wines and More North of Atlanta. I had such a big time there!! It was like the Home Depot of wine. Loads and loads of wine at fabulous prices! We may have to visit Mike more often, or give him a list when he come to visit us. There were wines I couldn't find there that I've purchased in Knoxville, but overall, the selection was great! I also liked their catalog. it was a listing of all the wines in the store, so I really can give Mike a detailed list, and he should be able to get everything on it. The prices are so good because they buy in the kind of bulk that smaller stores just can't compete with. I bought a mixed case, including a 2004 Brunello. There will be many postings as I work my way through these wines.

Next event was a stop at "The Grape", an Atlanta wine bar. It was written up in Wine Spectator. I was pretty excited about going there. They did have an extensive wine list. We had a Spanish red from La Mancha, an '07 Borsao Campo de Borja ($8 at Total Wine, more at The Grape). We ordered a cheese board with the Borsao and also an appetizer with hummus and flatbread. The wine was very good, fairly fruit forward but with some cedar and spice especially on the finish. Very pleasant with fairly soft tannins. We shared this with Mike and Ken, a friend of Mike's from out of town. The Grape also features live jazz at the Atlantic Station location.

Later in the evening we stopped at Murphy's in Virginia Highlands. They have a wine shop, a bar, and a restaurant. We had dessert and wine. I had Creme Brulee and a sauternes. Al had plum cobbler with port. Both were classic pairings and both were delicious. I also picked up two bottles at their wine store. A great way to end our day in Atlanta.

We spent the night in a cosy little bed and breakfast called the Gaslight Inn, also in the Virginian Highlands area. our hosts were extremely gracious and everything was arranged to make us as comfortable as possible.

Sunday we visited the High Museum of fine art in Atlanta. We saw the Dali exhibit there, and also visited their collection of renaissance art.

We had a late lunch again at Murphy's. And In the late afternoon we had gelato at Paolo's in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood (no trip to Atlanta is complete without a trip to Paolo's).

Finally, we had dinner at La Tavola again in Virginia Highlands. They were celebrating their tomato feast with a special menu that utilized locally grown heirloom tomatoes. I had the handmade cheese ravioli with a light tomato sauce. Mike joined us for dinner and we shared a bottle of Nero d'Avela, a little young, but very nice with the food and it improved as it opened.

So, a big food and wine trip to Atlanta! A little bit of visiting and a whole lot of good food, wine and shopping. Loads of fun!! We left just as I ran out of money to spend, so it all worked out well.