2009 Midtown Atlanta Shop & Dine Week

Come Shop, Dine and Stay in Midtown Atlanta!

The trendy restaurants and retailers of Midtown Atlanta have joined forces to present the 2009 Midtown Atlanta Shop & Dine Week, November 13-22. Atlantans are encouraged to spend the day and night in Midtown shopping, dining and enjoying cultural activities. Participating fine dining restaurants are offering 3-course meals for $25 per person, plus tax and gratuity; casual restaurants are featuring two meals for $25, plus tax and gratuity. Retail shops, hotels and cultural attractions are featuring discounted rates and fees. Offers will vary at each participating business.

For a complete list of the participating establishments and the special menus or discounts they are featuring, please click here or visit http://www.midtownatlantashopanddineweek.com.

Esquire Magazine Invites You to Celebrate Paces 88 at The St. Regis!

You're Invited!

Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6-9pm

Paces 88 - The St. Regis Atlanta

John Mariani, Esquire Magazine's Food and Travel Correspondent & Mark Alba, Chef De Cuisine, invite Grape Crush VIP's to celebrate Paces 88 - recently named to Esquire's Best New Restaurants in America list!

Savor a selection of hors d'oeuvres created by the St. Regis Atlanta Culinary Team. Festive attire, must be 21 and older.

RSVP is required. The guest list is extremely limited, you will be notified if you are confirmed for the list. Mailto: VIP@GrapeCrushEvents.com no later than Wednesday at Noon.

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SNEAK PEEK - Check out The Virtual Grape - a new social network connecting Atlanta's wine lovers and foodies! Create a profile, share news and stay updated on local tastings and events.

http://virtualgrape.ning.com/

Wine is the Ultimate Health Drink!

"Among the dietary beverages used by man through the centuries, the next in importance to milk has been wine."

~Dr. Salvatore Lucia, professor of medicine at the University of California School of Medicine

It has been said that wine is mankind's most ancient medicine. Cheers to that indeed!

There are few passions in life that are both enjoyable and beneficial to health at the same time. It is perhaps why wine drinking is becoming such a fad in even the non-traditional regions of the world. While there were initial claims that the benefits of wine were folklore created by wine makers to propagate wine drinking, increasing research by many reputable research centers have concluded that it is indeed true. In fact, they've discovered many benefits of wine.

Here are some of them:

Heart Disease: Wine is a vasodilator that helps reduce the risk of cardiac diseases including angina and stroke. It helps in two ways. Red wines have HDL (a good cholesterol) that drives the bad cholesterol from the arteries. Red wine also contains an antifungal compound called Resveratrol that can lower serum cholesterol.

Digestion: Wine stimulates flow of gastric juices to enhance the digestive processes. It has also shown that wines kill cholera bacteria and can combat typhoid.

Vitamins and Minerals: Wine contains utilizable minerals of potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, Vitamin B and P.

Viruses: Red wines have polyphenols that are effective against some viruses.

Aging: Elderly people who drink moderate amounts are less prone to disability due to mental illness. Some attribute it to the mineral boron which helps older women to maintain their estrogen which in turn enables them to absorb calcium.

Cancer: Red wine contains a strong anti-cancer agent known as quercetin which becomes active in the body when the grape juice ferments or the body digests food. Wine also contains gallic acid, an acknowledged anti-carcinogenic.

Stress: Wine is a mild tranquilizer that can help reduce stress, which in turn can help prevent certain forms of cancer and other illnesses.

Kidney: Wine can enhance the alkaline reserves, effectively combating kidney acidosis.

Migraine: Red wine inhibits an enzyme called PST-P which detoxifies all sorts of bacteria in the stomach. The absence of PST-P is linked to migraine.

As with all beverages containing alcohol, don't overindulge and please don't drink and drive.

Cheers!

8th Annual Decatur Wine Tasting Festival

The Decatur Arts Alliance and Decatur Package Store host the 8th Annual Decatur WineTasting Festival on Saturday, November 7th from 1pm until 4pm. The event is located downtown on the Old Courthouse Square in Decatur, Ga. Festival guests will enjoy over 350 wines from around the world, samples from area restaurants and live music. Attendes are encouraged to use Marta - it's Smarta and Green!

Click here to read the full story!

The Proper Wine Glass

As a Grape Girl, I firmly believe there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to enjoying wine. We like what we like! However, there are some things you can do to enhance your tasting experience. Serving wine in the proper glass is one of them!

Pairing wine with the proper glass can be just as important as the food pairing or even the wine itself. If you are at a public tasting event or hosting a large dinner party, you might not have the opportunity to select the proper glass, but try to make the effort when possible.

Here are a few tips:

12 oz. White Wine - Sauvignon Blanc
Designed to offer a long finish to this dry, elegant, herbaceous wine.

14 oz. White Wine - Chardonnay
Shaped to highlight the wine's velvety, supple texture, this glass emphasizes the fruitiness and ensures a long, balanced finish.

20 oz. Red Wine - Bordeaux, Cabernet, Merlot
Designed to bring out the full flavor of these complex red wines, the tulip shape is the perfect, all-purpose glass, superb for white wines, too.

22 oz. Red Wine - Burgundy, Pinot Noir
Designed to highlight the rich fruit and calm the acidity, the large bowl captures the wine's aromatic nuances.

DID YOU KNOW?

When pouring wine only one-third of the glass is meant to be filled, the perfect amount for swirling, sniffing and savoring wine!

UPCOMING EVENT:

Pre-Holiday Wine Mixer

You're Invited to Sip-Off the Holiday Party Season in Style!

November 18th from 6-8PM at WineStyles

Early bird ticket sale ends Monday, Nov.9th
http://www.winemixer.eventbrite.com/

Cheers!

Bloomingdale's Shopping Benefit

Thanks for attending the Grape Girls wine tasting at Bloomingdale's Lenox Square Mall on October 29th - a "grape" time was had by all!

(Photos by Laura Deas)

In addition to sampling exquisite wines from Montaluce and Tree of Life, along with tasty treats from Lenox Square Grill, our audience was treated to fashion shows, makeovers, merchandise discounts and more. Local author Debra Shigley was even on-site to greet guests and sign copies of her new book The Go-Getter Girl's Guide: Get What You Want in Work and Life (and Look Great While You're at It).

Featured wines:

2008 MONTALUCE, VIOGNIER
The Northern Rhones premier white grape has clearly found a home in North Georgia as evidenced by Montaluces first Viognier. The delicate perfume suggests ripe peaches, apricots and acacia. On the palate, the wine is surprisingly rich and nearly full-bodied, delivering flavors of tangerine, baked apples with nuances of sweet spice. Stylish and beautiful, try this fresh white with rich seafood dishes or as an aperitif.

2008 MONTALUCE, CHARDONNAY
Aromas of green apples, pear and lemon zest announce the arrival of Montaluces inaugural Chardonnay release. What follows are nuances of smoke, walnut and honeysuckle. On the palate, the soft texture is supported by ample acidity and persistent fruit flavors while picking up distinctive slate mineral notes. Exceptional balance and an impressive finish make this crisp white a table worthy candidate for poultry, fish and fresh summer salads.

2008 MONTALUCE, CABERNET SAUVIGNON
After spending three months in an oak barrel, this Cabernet has had ample time to nurture a delightful dark chocolate note. The deep violet color is a testament that North Georgia ecology has passed the muster for Cabernet cultivation. A great companion to hearty beef dishes like pot roast and stews, grilled meats, and even chocolate desserts.

TREE OF LIFE, POMEGRANATE WINE
Up to 3 times more antioxidants than red wine!

This wine is perfect served chilled on its own or blended with your favorite mixers. It makes great wine spritzers, mix it with champagne or even make a wine punch! Pair the wine with soft cheeses, chicken dishes and even chocolate.

The event supported the following nonprofit organizations:

Amy's Holiday Party - Atlanta Film Festival - Atlanta Union Mission, My Sister's House - Bright Futures Atlanta - Chemoflage, Inc. - Girl Talk - HERO for Children, Inc. - Kate's Club - Senior Connections - Shallowford Presbyterian Preschool - Share Our Strength - Shepard Center Auxiliary - St. Jude's Recovery Center, Inc. - Students Without Mothers -Young Survival Coalition

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to receive exclusive event invitations, special offers and more!

Cheers!

You're Invited: Pre-Holiday Wine Mixer!

Sip-Off the Holiday Party Season at WineStyles on November 18th!

Join the Grape Girls to explore fine wines, artisan cheese and delectable desserts while mingling with local wine enthusiasts. Plus, make a donation to our food drive for your chance to win fabulous door prizes including a FREE home or office private wine tasting party! Click here for more information or visit http://winemixer.eventbrite.com/.

Sip and savor fine wines
Learn how to select cheeses to complement your favorite wines
Sample delicious desserts and place holiday orders
Donate to our food drive
Purchase specialty wine gifts
Live entertainment
Door prizes
and much more!

Early bird tickets are only $15, special offer ends Monday, November 9th. Click here to purchase a ticket and help us spread a little holiday cheer. Food donations benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Complimentary admission for Grape Gurus wine club members - RSVP by Nov. 16th: VIP@GrapeCrushEvents.com.

Not a member? Click here to join today and reap the rewards! The Wine Stimulus Plan ends November 30th so consider giving the gift of an exclusive club membership - gift certificates are available.

Come on out to mix and mingle with local wine enthusiasts - all for a good cause!