Welcome...

Hi - We're the Grape Girls!

We've made it our mission to demystify the wine tasting experience, food pairing and selection process. We'll keep you posted on what's new and hot on the food and wine scene. We want to share our love of food, wine and travel with the world and can't wait for YOU to join us on our adventures.

Grape Crush Productions, Atlanta's premier food and wine event specialists, has been voted one of Atlanta's BEST businesses - every year since 2009 - for bringing the "tasting room" to living rooms, offices and venues across metro Atlanta.

We're the creators and producers of Atlanta Food & Wine Month, Atlanta Winter Wine + Jazz Festival, Buckhead Wine Festival, Chefs in the City , Organic Wine & Food Fair and other hot local events.

Be sure to fan us on Facebook and follow on Twitter for recent event pics, special offers and exclusive event invitations.

Remember, compromises are for relationships, NOT wine! :)

The next sip is yours...

Cheers!

Friday, May 22, 2009

The Grape Girls Do The Grape!



The Grape Girls recently visited The Grape @Atlantic Station. Part wine bar, part bistro, part retail store - we were truly in our element!

The Grape offers a variety of delectable small-plates and over 120 wines to taste by the bottle or glass. We met with the General Manager (Steffan) and the Regional Marketing Manager (Kevin). During our business meeting we were treated to a wine flight (Italian wines were featured) and a menu tasting of artisan cheese, flank steak, shrimp flatbread and chicken quesadillas. We thoroughly enjoyed the new menu offerings, as well as some of our old favorites.

Great wine, great food, great service and live music on the weekends - what could be better?! Get some friends together and make The Grape @Atlantic Station your next stop for lunch, brunch, happy hour or dinner.



The Grape Girls at the The Grape - it's a perfect marriage! :)

Cheers!

The Grape @Atlantic Station
264 19th Street
Suite 2140
Atlanta, GA 30363
404-815-0090

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Rosés for Memorial Day!

REFRESHING ROSÉS FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day (Monday, May 25) signifies the unofficial beginning of the summer season for most Americans. The weather warms up and we immediately begin to think of leisurely picnics, patio parties and backyard barbecues!

Rosé wines are perhaps the most versatile, food-friendly wines around and provide a great wine value for the money. Despite a serious image problem in recent years (thanks in part to the run of "White Zin"), Rosé wine sales are on the rise as savvy grape gurus have discovered that many of these pink wines fall into the definitively "dry" category and are not sugary sweet. Rosé wine hues come from the short contact time that the grape juice has with the grape skin.

So, "think pink" this weekend and pick up a few bottles of refreshing Rosés to complement scrumptious summer salads and seafood, or even heavier grilled meats. Always serve chilled.

Are you having a big bash this Memorial Day? Well, stretch your wine dollars even further with our quick and easy Strawberry Sangria recipe - it's sure to be the hit of any summer soiree!

Recipe Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
1 Bottle (750 ml) of Rosé wine (to keep to the Spanish origins of Sangrias, opt for a Rosé from Spain - a Rosado)
1/2 cup white sugar (optional)
1 1/2 cups strawberry lemonade
1 cup sliced strawberries (may use frozen strawberries in a pinch)
2 cups ginger ale

Preparation: Pour wine in the pitcher and add sliced strawberries. Next add sugar, strawberry lemonade and stir gently. Add ginger ale and ice just before serving.

If you'd like to serve your Sangria right away, use chilled wine and chilled ginger ale - serve over lots of ice.

Cheers!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Real Causes: Fight Homelessness on May 14th!


Local Real Estate Pros, Business Owners, Media and Concerned Citizens Help End Homelessness in Atlanta.

Please join us on Thursday, May 14th at the Wine Loft (6pm) for a wine tasting, complimentary refreshments and live jazz music as real estate professionals, local business owners and everyday citizens unite to end homelessness in Atlanta!

This official 31 Days of Jazz event features a charity clothing drive and networking opportunities. Plus, the 1st 50 event attendees will receive a complimentary pass to a private preview screening of THE PROPOSAL (starring Sanda Bullock) at Phipps Plaza on May 18th! Click here to view the trailer.

TICKETS: Visit www.realcauses.eventbrite.com
Use discount code RC01 to save an extra $5 off the early bird ticket price thru Tuesday! FREE for Grape Guru members.

Grape Crush Productions is a proud sponsor of Real Causes!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

And the survey says....

WINE POLL RESULTS, NEW SURVEY POSTED!!!




We asked... and you told us what was on your mind!
The Grape Girls blog has had a lot of activity as people across the country voiced their opinions on a wide range of topics - from wine regions you'd most like to visit, to whether or not the recession has hindered your entertaining.

And the survey says.....

Has the recession affected your wining and dining?
33% Yes; 37% Somewhat; 30% No

What wine region do you most want to visit?
A whopping 53% said Italy - over France, Napa Valley and South Africa!

What's your favorite Spring patio wine?
Well, 46% indicated Riesling was your favorite warm-weather varietal, with Chardonnay at a close 2nd (26% of the vote). Merlot and Zinfandel garnered less than 5% of the vote each!

Thank you for your time and continued support of Grape Crush Productions! Your answers to our polls help us decide on upcoming travel excursions, wines to feature at events, and may even help our restaurant and retail partners decide what to stock on the shelves!

NEW POLL: Do you recycle empty wine bottles?
Grape lovers can "Go Green" too! Cast your vote in our latest poll now (top right corner)! Please invite your friends and colleagues to make their voices heard too. If there are no recycling facilities available in your area, your response could help us in our efforts.

Click here to follow us on Facebook.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Great Wines for Cinco de Mayo!


Looking for something a little different for this year's Cinco de Mayo celebration? Do you want a great wine for your festive feast before ending the night with margaritas and tequila shots?

Well, pairing wines with spicy foods and diverse flavors can be tough but the Grape Girls have got you covered!
Here are our suggestions for great wines that will pair nicely with your Mexican meal:


Whites
Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Viognier

Reds
Beaujolais, Grenache, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir

The above wines can handle a wide range of flavors, from sweet and salty to sour and spicy, but don't go loco when trying to decide on the perfect pairing. Cinco de Mayo is all about mixing it up, trying new things and having FUN!


Click here for a little Cinco de Mayo history.
Click here to follow us on Facebook.






Friday, May 1, 2009

Share Our Strength - End Childhood Hunger!




The Grape Girls will host "purple carpet" wine and chocolate tasting parties this summer at local restaurants, boutiques and other upscale venues in support of Share Our Strength's national campaign to end childhood hunger. Do you know of the perfect location in metro Atlanta? Contact us today to co-host or sponsor an event!

Click here to read the media advisory.

Mailto: info@GrapeCrushEvents.com with "SOS" in the subject heading.